Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 343could a saint believe they are the only recipient ofDivine favor? However, if someone other than asaint made this statement, then in truth that oneis the friend and elect of God, for God has keptthis experience from all the saints but has not hiddenit from that one.The same person tried to support their statementwith a parable: “Once there was a king withten concubines. The concubines said, ‘We want toknow which of us is dearest to the king.’ The kingdeclared, ‘Tomorrow this ring shall be in theroom of whomever I love best.’ Next day the kingcommanded ten rings to be made identical withthat ring, and gave one ring to each maiden.”Rumi said: The question still stands. This storyprovides no answer, and changes nothing. Thestatement, “The king loves me best,” was madeby one of the ten maidens, or by someone else. Ifone of the ten maidens made this statement, andshe knew that each of the maidens had been givena ring just like hers, then how could she feel thatshe was loved best? However, if this statementwas made by someone other than those ten maidens,then that person was truly shown the king’sfavor and special love.