Ch 02 The Morals Of Dervishes Story 06

A hermit, being the guest of a padshah, ate less than he wished when sitting at dinner and when he rose for prayers he prolonged them more than was his wont in order to enhance the opinion entertained by the padshah of his piety.

               O Arab of the desert, I fear thou wilt not reach the Ka’bah  
               Because the road on which thou travellest leads to Turkestan.  

When he returned to his own house, he desired the table to be laid out for eating. He had an intelligent son who said: ‘Father, hast thou not eaten anything at the repast of the sultan?’ He replied: ‘I have not eaten anything to serve a purpose.’ The boy said: ‘Then likewise say thy prayers again as thou hast not done anything to serve that purpose.’

               O thou who showest virtues on the palms of the hand  
               But concealest thy errors under the armpit  
               What wilt thou purchase, O vain-glorious fool,  
               On the day of distress with counterfeit silver?