A wondrous thing! That which concerns the Simurgh began to manifest itself in China in the middle of the night. One of His feathers then fell in China, and His fame filled the whole world. Everyone took an impression of this feather, and whosoever saw it took the matter to heart. This feather is now in the Hall of Paintings in China, and it is for this reason that the Prophet said: “Go in search of knowledge, even unto China!” Had this manifestation of the Simurgh’s feather not taken place, there would not have been so much talk throughout the world about this mysterious being. This trace of His existence is a token of His glory; all souls bear the impression of this feather. Since His description has neither beginning nor end, there is no need to say more on this subject than I have already said. Now, you who are men of the Way, take to this road and set foot upon it.
All the birds therefore gathered together, as has been said. They were agitated as they pondered the majesty of the king of whom the hoopoe had spoken to them. The desire to have Him for their sovereign had taken hold of them and cast them into impatience. They therefore made their plans to set out and wished to go forward; they became His friends and their own enemies. But as the road was long and distant, each of them was nevertheless uneasy at the thought of embarking upon it, and offered a different excuse for declining, despite the good will he appeared to have.