Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 69amongst the company of his servants.’ For example,just now you were preoccupied and did notshow yourself until you had kept me waiting fora long time. This was so I would realize howdifficult and disagreeable it is if I keep otherswaiting when they come to my door and I do notreadily admit them. You have made me taste thebitterness of that and have given me a lesson sothat I will not act like that with others.”Rumi answered: That’s not true. On the contrary,my keeping you waiting is an expression ofutmost loving-kindness. Just as God declares, “Omy child, I would answer your smallest petitionand slightest complaint without delay, if it weren’tthat the voice of your complaint is so sweet to myears. My answer lingers unspoken in hopes thatyou might complain again and again, for thesound of your voice is so sweet to me.”For example, two beggars come to the door ofa certain person. One is highly loved and soughtafter, while the other is disliked. The owner of thehouse says to a slave, “Give that hated one a pieceof bread quickly and without delay, so he willleave right away.” To the other beloved beggar