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Saadi - The Gulistan of Sa‘di – 24 from The Morals of Dervishes
Identifier
015299
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Saadi - The Gulistan of Sa‘di – 24 from The Morals of Dervishes
Listen to this story how in Baghdad
A flag and a curtain fell into dispute.
Travel stained, dusty and fatigued, the flag
Said to the curtain by way of reproach:
“You and I, we are both fellow servants,
Slaves of the sultan’s palace.
Not a moment had I rest from service
In season and out of season I travelled about.
You have suffered neither toil nor siege,
Not from the desert, wind, nor dust and dirt.
My step in the march is more advancing.
Then why is your honour exceeding mine?
You are upon moon-faced servants
Or jessamine scented slave girls.
I have fallen into prentice hands.
I travel with foot in fetters and head fluttering.”
The curtain said: “My head is on the threshold
Not like yours in the heavens.
Who carelessly lifts up his neck
Throws himself upon his neck.”