Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/126

The Morals of Dervishes

conformity with the above sentiments of an affair of importance emerged to a Pâdshâh, who thereon vowed that, if it terminated according to his wishes, he would present devotees with a certain sum of money. His wish having been fulfilled, it became necessary to keep his promise; accordingly he gave a purse of dirhems to one of his confidential servants, to distribute it among recluses. It is related that the slave was intelligent and shrewd, he walked about all day, and, returning at nightfall, kissed the dirhems, and deposited them before the King, with the remark that he had not found any devotees. The King rejoined: "What nonsense is this. As far as I know there are four hundred devotees in this town."

He said: "Lord of the world! Who is a devotee does not accept money, and who accepts it is not a devotee."

The King smiled and said to his courtiers: "Despite of my wishing to do good to this class of worshippers of God, this rogue bears them enmity and thwarts my wish, but truth is on his side."