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.