Discourses of Rumi

266 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIwho cannot see the difference. If these words fallinto the hands of those who cannot discern, it islike giving precious pearls to children who do notknow their value. Later, if you offer them applesthey will gladly trade them for pearls, since theyknow no better.Abu Yazid, when a child, was taken by hisfather to school to learn jurisprudence. When hewas brought before the schoolmaster he asked,“Is this the jurisprudence of God?” They said,“This is the jurisprudence of Abu Hanifa.” Hesaid, “I want the jurisprudence of God.” When hewas brought before the grammar teacher, heasked, “Is this the grammar of God?” The teachersaid, “This is the grammar of Sibawaihi.” AbuYazid said, “I do not want it.” He spoke this waywherever his father took him. His father could donothing with him, and finally let him be. Later hecame to Baghdad upon his quest, and as soon ashe saw Junaid he shouted, “This is the jurisprudenceof God!”How could it be that a lamb would not recognizeits own mother on whose milk it has beensuckled? So, forget the form.