Story 6

  A hermit, being the guest of a padshah, ate less than he wished when

sitting at dinner and when he rose for prayers he prolonged them

more than was his wont in order to enhance the opinion entertained

by the padshah of his piety.

      O Arab of the desert, I fear thou wilt not reach the Ka'bah

      Because the road on which thou travellest leads to Turkestan.

  When he returned to his own house, he desired the table to be laid

out for eating. He had an intelligent son who said: 'Father, hast thou

not eaten anything at the repast of the sultan?' He replied: 'I have

not eaten anything to serve a purpose.' The boy said: 'Then likewise

say thy prayers again as thou hast not done anything to serve that

purpose.'

        O thou who showest virtues on the palms of the hand

        But concealest thy errors under the armpit

        What wilt thou purchase, O vain-glorious fool,

        On the day of distress with counterfeit silver?