I tremble when I recall the prayer of one distracted in the temple of Mecca. Thus did he lament: “Throw me not down, for no one will hold my hand to succour me. Whether Thou call me or drive me away, my head has no resting-place but Thy threshold. Thou knowest that I am poor and helpless; I am oppressed by my evil passions. Keep me from pollution, and forgive my sins. Close not mine eyes from the face of happiness; bind not my tongue when I recite the creed. Place the lamp of Faith before my way; make my hand short from doing evil. From the sun of Thy goodness one ray suffices, for except in Thy rays I am not seen. Why should I weep because of my condition? If I am weak, my refuge is strong.” STORY OF AN IDOLATER A fire-worshipper turned his back upon the world and girt up his loins in the service of an idol. After some years he was overtaken by misfortune and wept at the feet of the idol, saying: “I am afflicted—help me, O idol! I am weary—have pity upon me.” Long did he continue in his lamentation, but no benefit did he derive. How can an idol accomplish the desires of a man when of itself it cannot drive away a fly? The idolater frowned and said: “O thou, whose feet are bound to error! with folly have I worshipped thee for years. Help me to fulfil my wishes, or I will ask them of God.” While his face was yet besmeared with the dust of the idol’s feet, the Almighty fulfilled his object. A pious man was astonished when he heard this. Then did a voice from heaven speak into his ear, saying: “This old man prayed before the idol, but his prayer was not heard. If at the shrine of God he were likewise spurned, what difference would there be between an idol and Him Who is eternal?” NOTES [1] _I.e._ the _Bustān_. [2] _I.e._ its ten chapters. [3] Lit. “bone”; used metaphorically in the sense of “a truth.” [4] One of the kings of Persia in whose reign Sadi flourished. His full name was Atābak Muzaffar-ud-Din Ābū Bakr-hin-Sa’d-hin-zangī. [5] _I.e._ Abu Bakr. [6] Naushīravān the Just was the twentieth king of the fourth dynasty of Persia, and contemporary with the Roman Emperor Justinian. The Prophet Muhammad was born in his reign. [7] A title of the kings of Persia. It was originally applied to Naushīravān. [8] Lit. “silver.” [9] Darius Codomanus was the last king of Persia. He waged many wars with Alexander the Great, who finally defeated him at Arbela. The unfortunate king was afterwards killed by one Bessus, governor of Bactriana, 331 B.C. [10] One of the kings of Persia. He was called Qazal because of the redness of his hair. Arsalān means “a lion.” [11] Name of a lofty mountain situated in Hamdān, north-west of Isfahan. [12] _I.e._ shows one thing and sells another of inferior quality. The expression is commonly used to denote a hypocrite. [13] To do either is considered an act of virtue among Muhammadans. [14] By reason of the opportunity it presented to bestow his charity.