Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/159

Story CIV

to whom be salutation, beheld a Dervish who had, on account of his nudity, concealed himself in the sand, exclaiming: "O Moses, utter a supplication to God the Most High to give me an allowance, because I am, on account of my distress, on the point of starvation." Moses accordingly prayed and departed, but, returning a few days afterwards, he saw that the Dervish was a prisoner, and surrounded by a crowd of people. On asking for the reason, he was informed that the Dervish had drunk wine, quarrelled, slain a man, and was to be executed in retaliation.

If the humble cat possessed wings, he would rob the world of every sparrow-egg. It may happen that, when a weak man obtains power, he arises and twists the hands of the weak. And if Allah were to bestow abundance upon His servants, they would certainly rebel upon earth.

What has made thee wade into danger, O fool! till thou hast perished? Would that the ant had not been able to fly! When a base fellow obtains dignity, silver, and gold, his head necessarily demands to be knocked; was not, after all, this maxim uttered by a sage? 'That ant is best which possesses no wings.'

He who does not make thee rich knows better what is good for thee than thyself.