Thus did the old man reply: “When the morning breeze blows over the rose-garden, the young trees proudly wave their branches. It becomes not me to mingle in thy company, for the dawn of old age has spread over my cheeks. Thy turn it is to sit at this table of youth; I have washed my hands of youthful pleasures. Time has showered snow upon my crow-like wings; like the bulbul, I could not sport in the garden. Soon will the harvest of my life be reaped; for thee, the new green leaves are bursting. The bloom has faded from my garden; who makes a nosegay from withered flowers? I must weep, like a child, in shame for my sins, but cannot emulate his pleasures.” Well has Luqman said: “It is better not to live at all than to live many years in sinfulness.” Better, too, may it be to close the shop in the morning than to sell the stock at a loss. ADVICE AND WARNING To-day, O youth, take the path of worship, for to-morrow comes old age. Leisure thou hast, and strength—strike the ball when the field is wide.[35] I knew not the value of life’s day till now that I have lost it. How can an old ass strive beneath its burden?—go thy way, for thou ridest a swift-paced horse. A broken cup that is mended—what will its value be? Now that in carelessness the cup of life has fallen from thy hand, naught remains but to join the pieces. Negligently hast thou let the pure water go; how canst thou now perform thy ablutions, except with sand?[36] SADI’S REBUKE FROM A CAMEL-DRIVER One night in the desert of Faid[37] my feet became fettered with sleep. A camel-driver awoke me, saying: “Arise; since thou heedest not the sound of the bell, perhaps thou desirest to be left behind! I, like thee, would sleep awhile, but the desert stretches ahead. How wilt thou reach the journey’s end if thou sleepest when the drum of departure beats?” Happy are they who have prepared their baggage before the beat of the drum! The sleepers by the wayside raise not their heads and the caravan has passed out of sight. He who was early awake surpassed all on the road; what availed it to awaken when the caravan had gone? This is the time to sow the deeds of the harvest thou wouldst reap. Go not bankrupt to the Resurrection, for it availeth not to sit in regret. By means of the stock that thou hast, O son, profit can be acquired; what profit accrueth to him who consumeth his stock himself? Strive now, when the water reacheth not beyond thy waist; delay not until the flood has passed over thy head. Heed the counsel of the wise to-day, for to-morrow will Nakir[38] question thee with sternness. Esteem as a privilege thy precious soul, for a cage without a bird has no value. Waste not thy time in sorrow and regret, for opportunity is precious and Time is a sword. STORY CONCERNING SORROW FOR THE DEAD