(A Persian Sufi - 1210 to 1291)
A Padshah (King) was on a voyage on a ship.
On the ship, there was a Persian slave who had never before been at sea and experienced the inconvenience of a vessel. He began to cry and tremble to such a degree that no one was able to calm him.
The king became displeased with his screams and wailings, which no one was able to control.
On that ship, there happened to be a philosopher, who said: 'With thy permission, I shall quiet him.'
The Badshah replied: 'It will be a great favor.'
The philosopher ordered the slave to be thrown into the water so that he swallowed some of it.
Then he was caught and pulled by his hair to the stern of the boat. To which he clung with both his hands.
A Padshah (King) was on a voyage on a ship.
On the ship, there was a Persian slave who had never before been at sea and experienced the inconvenience of a vessel. He began to cry and tremble to such a degree that no one was able to calm him.
The king became displeased with his screams and wailings, which no one was able to control.
On that ship, there happened to be a philosopher, who said: 'With thy permission, I shall quiet him.'
The Badshah replied: 'It will be a great favor.'
The philosopher ordered the slave to be thrown into the water so that he swallowed some of it.
Then he was caught and pulled by his hair to the stern of the boat. To which he clung with both his hands.
Then he sat down in a corner and became quiet.
It appeared strange to the king, who knew not what wisdom there was in the proceeding and asked for it.
The philosopher replied:
Before he had tasted the calamity of being drowned, he knew not the sense of safety of the boat.
Similarly, a man does not appreciate the value of immunity from a misfortune - until it has befallen him.
O thou grown man, barley-bread pleases thee not.
She is my sweetheart who appears ugly to thee.
To the Hoors of paradise, purgatory* seems hell.
Ask the residents of hell - To them, purgatory is paradise.
Similarly, a man does not appreciate the value of immunity from a misfortune - until it has befallen him.
O thou grown man, barley-bread pleases thee not.
She is my sweetheart who appears ugly to thee.
To the Hoors of paradise, purgatory* seems hell.
Ask the residents of hell - To them, purgatory is paradise.
There is a difference between him whose friend is in his arms
And him whose eyes of expectation are upon the door.
"Sheikh Sa'adi (A 13th century Persian Sufi)
*Purgatory - Process of cleansing or purifying.
In Roman Catholic doctrine - a place or state of suffering - inhabited by the souls of sinners confessing their sins before going to heaven.
So true. Our experiences shape us. Thanks for sharing.
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