Story 26

  I remember having once walked all night with a caravan and then

slept on the edge of the desert. A distracted man who had

accompanied us on that journey raised a shout, ran towards the

desert and took not a moment's rest. When it was daylight, I asked him

what state of his that was. He replied: 'I saw bulbuls commencing to

lament on the trees, the partridges on the mountains, the frogs in the

water and the beasts in the desert so I bethought myself that it would

not be becoming for me to sleep in carelessness while they all were

praising God.'

        Yesterday at dawn a bird lamented,

        Depriving me of sense, patience, strength and consciousness.

        One of my intimate friends who

        Had perhaps heard my distressed voice

        Said: 'I could not believe that thou

        Wouldst be so dazed by a bird's cry.'

        I replied: 'It is not becoming to humanity

        That I should be silent when birds chant praises.'