The birds of the world all gathered together, both those that are known and those that are unknown, and then they spoke among themselves thus: “There is no country in the world without a king; how is it, then, that the land of the birds is deprived of one? This state of affairs must not continue any longer; we must join our efforts and go in search of a king, for there is no good administration in a country without a king, and the army is in disarray.”
As a result of these considerations, all the birds went to a certain place to set about searching for a king. The hoopoe, deeply moved and full of hope, arrived and took her place in the midst of the assembly of birds. On her breast she wore the ornament that bore witness to her having entered the spiritual path; on her head she wore the crown of truth. Indeed, she had entered the spiritual path with understanding, and she knew good and evil. “Dear birds,” she said, “I am truly enlisted in the divine host, and I am the messenger of the invisible world. I know God and the secrets
As a result of these considerations, all the birds went to a certain place to set about searching for a king. The hoopoe, deeply moved and full of hope, arrived and took her place in the midst of the assembly of birds. On her breast she wore the ornament that bore witness to her having entered the spiritual path; on her head she wore the crown of truth. Indeed, she had entered the spiritual path with understanding, and she knew good and evil. “Dear birds,” she said, “I am truly enlisted in the divine host, and I am the messenger of the invisible world. I know God and the secrets
of creation. When, like me, one bears written upon one’s beak the name of God, one must necessarily possess knowledge of many secrets. I pass my days in anxiety, and have dealings with no one. I concern myself with what personally interests the king, but I trouble myself not about his army. By my natural instinct I indicate where water is, and I know many other secrets besides. I attended upon Solomon and went before his army. A strange thing! He asked for no news and made no inquiries about those who were missing from his kingdom; yet, when I strayed a little from Him, He had me sought everywhere. Since He could not do without me, my worth is established for ever. I carried His letters and returned; I was His confidant behind the curtain. The bird sought by the Prophet Solomon deserves to bear a crown upon its head. Can every bird enter the path which one has happily attained through the grace of God? For years I crossed sea and land, occupied in travelling. I passed through valleys and over mountains; I traversed an immense expanse in the time of the Flood. I accompanied Solomon on His journeys; I have often paced the entire surface of the globe. I know my king well, but I cannot go to Him alone. If you will accompany me there, I shall grant you access to this king’s court. Free yourselves from all timid presumption and from all incredulous disturbance. He who has staked his own life is freed from himself; he is freed from good and evil on the path of his beloved. Be generous with your life, and set foot upon this path, so that you may then lay your forehead upon the threshold of this king’s door. We have a rightful king; He dwells beyond Mount Câf. His name is Simorg; He is the king of the birds. He is near to us, and we are far from Him. The place where He dwells is inaccessible, and He