Gulistan of Saadi
The Morals of Dervishes
Story 6
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?
READ MORE:
Gulistan of Saadi | The Morals of Dervishes | Story 5
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