A novice had a little store of gold. His sheikh knew this, although he had not been told. There was a journey that they had to make – The two set out, the young man and his sheikh; Then night came to the valley where they walked, And into the path they followed forked, The novice trembled for his hidden gold (Which makes its owners less than bold); “Which way to you advise?” he asked his sheikh. “There are two paths; which is the best to take?” The sheikh said: “Throw out what you cannot hide, Then either way will …
Tag: journey
Late one moonless night The Sîmorgh first appeared She let a feather float down through the air, And rumours of its fame spread everywhere (i) The Canticle of the Birds written by the mystical poet Attar tells the story of all the birds in the world, who one day gather together to discuss who their Sovereign king is and where he could be found for they all have a yearning to meet the Sovereign Being. Among them, the little bird Hoopoe, chosen and sanctified by King Solomon knows that Sîmorgh is the Sovereign Being’s name and that she lives …
Your Canticle of the Birds is like the sun, An endless fount of light for everyone (distich 4487) [left] The story begins when all the birds of the world gather together to discuss who their king is and where he might be found. They long to know their Majesty. Hoopoe, the bird sanctified by “Solomon’s regard”, offers them to show the way, for she knows that the Majesty’s name is Sîmorgh and that she dwells on the mythical Mount Qâf. She knows that Sîmorgh is a wonderful creature, “both lovely and majestic, feminine and masculine, merciful and awe-inspiring.” The ancient name …
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