Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/241

Story CLVIII who said: 'Impart to them what thou hast, and if they receive it not, it is not thy fault.' Although thou knowest thou wilt not be heard, say whatever thou knowest of good wishes and advice; it may soon happen that thou wilt behold a silly fellow with both his feet fallen into captivity, Striking his hands together, and saying: "Alas! I have not listened to the advice of a scholar."

After some time I saw the consequences of his dissolute behaviour―which I apprehended―realised. When I beheld him sewing patch upon patch, and gathering crumb after crumb, my heart was moved with pity for his destitute condition, in which I did not consider it humane to scratch his internal wounds with reproaches, or to sprinkle salt upon them. Accordingly I said to myself: "A foolish fellow, in the height of intoxication, cares not for the coming day of distress; the tree which sheds its foliage in spring will certainly have no leaves remaining in winter."