Another bird said to the hoopoe: “O protector of Solomon’s army! I am powerless to undertake this journey. I am weak and without strength; I shall not be able to embark upon such a road. There is a long valley to traverse, and the way is difficult; I shall die at the first stage. Many volcanoes are found along the road; therefore, it is not fitting for everyone to embark upon such an undertaking. There thousands of heads roll like balls, for many of those who went in search of the Simurgh have perished. Thousands of intellects have acknowledged their nothingness, and, if they have not done so, they have been compelled to do so. In such a path, where the most sincere men have, in fear, hidden their heads beneath the shroud, what shall become of me, wretched as I am, but dust? For if I undertook such a journey, I should die amid groans.”
“O thou who art so dejected!” the hoopoe replied, “why does thy heart remain so troubled on this account? Since thou art of so little worth in this world, whether thou be young and valiant or old and feeble is all the same. The world is truly refuse; creatures perish at every door. Thousands of people, like the silkworm that turns yellow, perish amid tears and affliction. It is better to lose one’s life miserably in the quest I propose than to languish sorrowfully in disgrace. If we do not succeed in this quest and die of grief, well, so be it. Since faults are so numerous in the world, it is good to avoid adding another. Though love is considered madness by some, it is nevertheless better to give oneself up to it than to sweep and apply cupping-glasses. Thousands of creatures are cunningly occupied in pursuing the carcass of this world. Even supposing the thing were done without cunning, take no part in it, and my sorrow will be less. When wilt thou make thy heart an ocean (of love) if thou givest thyself to this commerce, especially with cunning? Someone will say that the desire for spiritual things is presumption, and that one cannot attain where no one has ever attained. But is it not better that I sacrifice my life in pride
When a man has fallen into the ocean of peril, how can he eat a morsel of bread if he lacks courage?