Sa di

Ch 02 The Morals Of Dervishes Story 33

A padshah asked a hermit: ‘How spendest thou thy precious time? ’ He replied: ‘I am all night engaged in prayer, during the morning in supplications and the rest of the day in restricting my expenses. ’ Then the king ordered a sufficient allowance to be allotted to him so as to relieve him of the cares of his family. O thou who art encumbered with a family, Think no more of ever enjoying freedom. Cares for children, raiment and food Restrain thee from the heavenly kingdom. Every day I renew my determination To wait upon God until the night. In the night, while tying the knot of prayer, I think what my children will eat on the morrow. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)