Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 213never went beyond “A is for apple.” The child’sfather came and said to the teacher, “I never failto pay your fees. If I have ever failed a payment,please let me know, and I will pay more.” Theteacher answered, “The failure is not yours, butthe child doesn’t go beyond this point.” Theteacher called the student and said, “Say, A is forapple.” The child said, “Is for apple,” unable tosay “A.” The teacher said, “You see? Since thechild has not passed the first point, how can I giveany more?” The father said, “Praise belongs toGod.”We do not say, “Praise belongs to God” after ameal because there was a shortage of bread. Breadand blessings are without limit, but the appetite isgone and the guests are sated. That is why we say,“Praise belongs to God.”The bread of revelation is very different fromthis worldly bread, because even with no appetiteyou can force yourself to eat as much worldlybread as you want. And since it is inanimate, youcan drag it wherever you like. It does not have thespirit to withhold itself from those who are notworthy. But Divine bread is a living wisdom and