Conference-Of-The-Birds

25 The Conference Of The Birds By Farid Ud-Din Attar
“I seek Layla,” replied Majnun.
“How can you find Layla here” said the other. “Could a pearl so pure
be found in such rubbish”
“Well” said Majnun, “I seek her everywhere, so that one day I may find
her somewhere.”
MAHMUD AND THE RAG-PICKER
One evening Sultan Mahmud saw a poor man sifting dust in search of
some trinkets. Mahmud thereupon threw his diamond wristlet in the
heap of dust that the man had collected. Next evening he went to the
same place and saw the same man engaged in the same occupation.
“What you obtained yesterday,” said the king, who was greatly
astonished at the cupidity of the man, “was enough for your
maintenance for ten lives, and yet you are grovelling in the dust today.
Go and enjoy yourself.”
“The hidden treasure that I found yesterday,” replied the man, “was
received from this dust. When fortune smiled on me for knocking at
this door, it behoves me that I should devote myself to this work as
long as I live.”
THE VALLEY OF LOVE
After the first valley, comes the valley of Love. Whoever sets foot in it,
is plunged in fire. Ah, what am I saying One must oneself be made of
fire, otherwise one cannot exist there. The lover, true and sincere,
ought, in fact, to be as glowing as fire. His countenance must be radiant
with fire, and he must be as ardent and impetuous as a flame of fire.
He must not for a moment think of consequences. He must be ready
and willing to fling a hundred worlds into the fire, knowing neither
faith nor infidelity, neither doubt nor belief. In this road there is no
difference between good and evil. Here neither good nor evil exists.
Love transcends both. O thou who liveth unmoved by any cares, this
discourse can produce no impression on thee! He, in whose heart
sincerity abides, stakes all he has, aye, stakes his head itself, to clasp
hands with his beloved. Some are content with the promise of to-
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