Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 79replied, “Where is my house in this world, andhow could I have a house?”It is related that Jesus was wandering in thedesert when a great rainstorm broke. He went totake shelter in the den of a jackal, in the corner ofits cave, until the rain ceased. A revelation cameto him, saying, “Get out of the jackal’s den, forthe jackal’s little ones cannot rest on account ofyou.” He cried aloud, “Lord, the jackal’s pupshave a shelter, but the son of Mary has no placeto call home.”Although the jackal’s whelp has a cave to livein, still it has no Beloved to drive it out of itshome. But you do have such a One driving youout. If you have no home, what does that matter?The loving-kindness of such a Driver, and thegrace from such a robe of honor that singles youout to be driven forth, is worth far more, exceedinga hundred thousand heavens and worlds hereand beyond.After the Amir left, Rumi said: The fact thatthe Amir came and I didn’t show my face at onceshould not worry him. His purpose in coming waseither to pay honor to me or to himself. If it was