How the criers of the Cadi advertised an insolvent round the town. 585-There was an insolvent person without house or home, who remained in prison and pitiless bondage. He would unconscionably eat the

How the Súfís sold the traveller's beast (to pay) for the (expenses of the) mystic dance. A Súfí, after journeying, arrived at a monastery (for Súfís); he took his mount and led it to the stable. 515-With

How a peasant stroked a lion in the dark, because he thought it was his ox. A peasant tied an ox in the stable: a lion ate his ox and sat in its place. The peasant went into the stable to (see) the ox:

Conclusion of the story of the coming to life of the bones at the prayer of Jesus, on whom be peace! Jesus pronounced the Name of God over the bones on account of the young man’s entreaty. For the sake

How a certain person frightened an ascetic, saying, “Weep little, lest thou become blind.” 445-A comrade in the work (of religion) said to an ascetic, “Weep little, lest thine eye come to harm.” The ascetic

How by Divine inspiration Shaykh Ahmad son of Khizrúya, may God sanctify his revered spirit, bought halwá (sweetmeat) for his creditors. There was a Shaykh who was continually in debt because of the generosity

How the King found his falcon in the house of a decrepit old woman. It is not like the falcon that fled from the King to the old crone who was sifting flour That she might cook tutmáj for her children.

How the people of the caravan supposed the Sufi’s beast was ill When the Súfí mounted and got going, he (the ass) began to fall on his face every time, 245-(And) every time the people (the travellers)

How the people of the caravan supposed the Súfí's beast was ill. When at last (the meditation of) that circle of Súfís who were seeking (spiritual) profit came to an end (culminated) in ecstasy and enthusiasm,

How the explanation of the (inner) meaning of the tale was stopped because of the hearer's desire to hear the superficial form of it. When will He who is envied by Light allow me to tell that which is

The story of God consulting in the creation of mankind (title given by @tamim) (Whilst) consultation was going on as to bringing mankind into existence, their spirits were in the Sea of (Divine) Omnipotence

How the Súfí enjoined the servant to take care of his beast and how the servant said, “Lá hawl.” A Súfí was wandering round the world till one night he became a guest at a monastery (for Súfís). He had

How the companion of Jesus, on whom be peace, entreated Jesus, on whom be peace, to give life to the bones. A certain foolish person accompanied Jesus (on his way). He espied some bones in a deep-dug hole.

How a snake-catcher stole a snake from another snake-catcher. 135-A petty thief carried off a snake from a snake-catcher and in his folly was accounting it a prize. The snake-catcher escaped from the snake's

How in the time of ‘Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, a certain person imagined that what he saw was the new moon. The Fasting-month (Ramadán) came round in ‘Umar's time. Some people ran to the top

Proem IN THE NAME OF GOD THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE This Mathnawí has been delayed for a while: an interval was needed in order that the blood might turn to milk. Blood does not become sweet milk

Conclusion of Book 1 3990-Oh, alas, two mouthfuls were eaten, and thereby the ferment of thought was frozen up. A grain of wheat eclipsed the sun of Adam, as the descending node is eclipse to the brilliance

How the Prince of the Faithful, ‘Ali—may God honour his person! —said to his antagonist, “When you did spit in my face, my fleshly self was aroused and I could no longer act with entire sincerity: that

Explaining that the motive of the Prophet, on whom be peace, in seeking to conquer Mecca and other (places) than Mecca was not love of worldly dominion, inasmuch as he has said “This world is a carcase,”

How the stirrup-holder of ‘Alí, may God honour his person, came (to him), saying, “For God's sake, kill me and deliver me from this doom.” “He came back, saying, ‘O‘ Alí, kill me quickly, that I may not