Another bird said to the hoopoe: “My heart is aflame with delight, for the place where I dwell is a charming spot. I live, indeed, in a pleasant golden palace which everyone admires. There I find a world of contentment; how could I withdraw my heart from it? In this lofty palace I am like the king of birds; how shall I go and expose myself to the hardships of the valleys of which Thou speakest? Must I renounce my sovereignty and leave the seat of my palace? No reasonable man would abandon the garden of Irem to undertake a painful and difficult journey.”
The hoopoe replied to him: “O Thou who art without ambition and without energy! Thou art no dog; why wouldst thou occupy thyself with heating the baths? This whole lower world is but a bathhouse, and Thy castle is part of it. Even were thy castle for Thee eternity and paradise, with death there would nevertheless come the prison of sorrow. If death did not exercise its sway over creatures, then alone would it be fitting for Thee to remain in thy dwelling.”
The hoopoe replied to him: “O Thou who art without ambition and without energy! Thou art no dog; why wouldst thou occupy thyself with heating the baths? This whole lower world is but a bathhouse, and Thy castle is part of it. Even were thy castle for Thee eternity and paradise, with death there would nevertheless come the prison of sorrow. If death did not exercise its sway over creatures, then alone would it be fitting for Thee to remain in thy dwelling.”
GOOD COUNSEL FROM A SAGE CONCERNING A PALACE.
A king had a castle built, adorned with gilding, the construction of which cost him a hundred thousand dinars. When this castle had become like paradise, it was further embellished with carpets. People came from every land to pay homage to the king, and offered him gifts upon trays. The king then summoned, along with these guests, the dignitaries of his kingdom; he had them brought before him, seated them on chairs, and said to them: “What do you think of this palace? Is there anything left to desire in its beauty and perfection?” They all then said: “No one has ever seen, nor will ever see, upon the face of the earth, a palace like this.” Yet a man devoted to piety rose and said:
A king had a castle built, adorned with gilding, the construction of which cost him a hundred thousand dinars. When this castle had become like paradise, it was further embellished with carpets. People came from every land to pay homage to the king, and offered him gifts upon trays. The king then summoned, along with these guests, the dignitaries of his kingdom; he had them brought before him, seated them on chairs, and said to them: “What do you think of this palace? Is there anything left to desire in its beauty and perfection?” They all then said: “No one has ever seen, nor will ever see, upon the face of the earth, a palace like this.” Yet a man devoted to piety rose and said:
“Sire, there is a crack, and it is a great defect. If this palace had not this defect, Paradise itself would have to bring it a gift from the unseen world, in recognition of its superiority.” — “I see not the crack of which thou speakest,” replied the king; “thou art ignorant and wouldst stir up trouble.” The Sufi said: “O thou who art proud of thy royalty! Know that the crack in question is that through which the angel of death must pass. May God grant that thou canst seal up this hole! For otherwise, what is this palace, what are this crown and this throne? Although this palace is as lovely as Paradise, death will make it hateful in thine eyes. Nothing is stable, and it is this that makes the place where we dwell ugly. No art can make stable that which is not. Ah! take not such delight in thy palace and thy castle; make not the steed of thy pride prance so much. If, because of thy station and dignity, no one makes thee aware of thy faults, woe unto thee!”
An extravagant merchant had a wondrous palace built, all of gold. When the edifice was finished, he invited everyone to come and see it. He extended his invitation with a hundred delicate attentions and courtesies, that people might come and see his castle. But, O wonder! a fool happened to see the man running about beside himself to deliver the invitations, and said to him: “I should very much like to go and see that palace this instant, you young greenhorn! but I have no time; so excuse me, and cease your entreaties.”
THE SPIDER.
Have you not seen the impatient spider, who passes her time in fantastical fashion? Out of greed she spreads a wondrous net, in the hope that a fly may fall into it. In her foresight she builds herself a house, which she furnishes with provisions for her use. When the fly rushes headlong into her net, the spider sucks the blood from the flesh of the poor little creature. Then she leaves the corpse to dry where it lies, and continues for some time to make it her food. But suddenly the master of the house rises, broom in hand. In an instant he destroys both the spider’s nest and the fly. Now the spider’s nest represents the world, and the fly the sustenance that God has placed therein for man.
THE SPIDER.
Have you not seen the impatient spider, who passes her time in fantastical fashion? Out of greed she spreads a wondrous net, in the hope that a fly may fall into it. In her foresight she builds herself a house, which she furnishes with provisions for her use. When the fly rushes headlong into her net, the spider sucks the blood from the flesh of the poor little creature. Then she leaves the corpse to dry where it lies, and continues for some time to make it her food. But suddenly the master of the house rises, broom in hand. In an instant he destroys both the spider’s nest and the fly. Now the spider’s nest represents the world, and the fly the sustenance that God has placed therein for man.
Even if the whole world were allotted to thee, thou wouldst lose it in an instant. Though thou boastest of the kingship of the world, thou art but a child upon the spiritual path; for thou sportest outside the veil. Seek not kingship, unless thou hast eaten the brain of an ass; and know, O fool, that the kingdom of the world is given over to dogs. He whose drum and banner proclaim his high dignity cannot be a dervish. As for thee, turn away from such things, for they are nothing but noise and wind. Indeed, it is the wind that inflates the banner, and noise issues from the drum; these two things are worth less than the smallest copper coin. Let not the steed of thy folly prance so much; take not such delight in the illusion of thy high station. In the end the panther is flayed, and even so thy life will soon be torn from thee.
Since it is impossible to be distinguished individually, it is better to lose oneself of one’s own accord and plunge headlong into the whole. It is not possible for thee to be proud, so humble thyself; how long wilt thou go on playing? Either bow thy head and seek not dominion, or leave the game and put it not in thy mind. Thy palace and thy garden are naught but a prison for thee. Thy soul is the calamity of thy soul. Leave this earthly dwelling, full of illusions. How long wilt thou wander through it? Open the eye of true ambition and behold the spiritual way; set foot upon this way and discover the celestial court. If thou succeed in bringing thy soul to this court, thou wilt no longer cling to the glory of the world.