Chapter II: Story of the Dervish and the Fox

A man saw a fox that had paralyzed feet;At God's work he was lost in amazement complete—Saying, "Since he was able to live in a way,With members so useless when ate he each day?"The Dervish was puzzling his brains very much,When a lion appeared with a jackal in's clutch ;He fed on the jackal, of fortune bereft,And the fox ate his fill from the portion he left.It happened next morn, in a similar way,That Providence gave him his food for the day.Truth enabled the eyes of the man, then, to see ;He went, and his hope on the Maker placed he."Like an ant, in a corner I'll sit, from this hour,For elephants get not subsistence by pow'r."With his chin on his breast, for a little, he stood,That the Giver might from the unseen send him food.Neither stranger nor friend to relieve him took pains ;There remained of him, harp-like, but skin, bone and veins.When of patience and sense, due to weakness, deprived,A voice at his ear from the Mosque niche arrived :—"Go, copy the fierce, tearing tiger, oh cheat!And ape not the fox with the paralyzed feet !So strive that you have, like the lion, to spare ;Like the fox, why be pleased with 'remains' for your fare ? "Should a man, like a tiger, a fat neck possess,And fall like a fox, than a dog, he is less.Make use of your hands! with your peers eat and drink !And from eating the leavings of other men, shrink !By your own arm, while fit, let your food be supplied!For your efforts will by your own balance be tried.Like a man, bear your trouble, and happiness give !On the labour of others let Paederasts live !Go thou and assist ! oh advice-taking man!Do not cast thyself down! saying, " Help! if you can."That servant from God will forgiveness obtain,Through the presence of whom people happy remain.Kind acts are performed by that head, that has mind;The mean, like a skin, without brains, you will find.The good of both worlds the kind person enjoysWho in bettering people, his moments employs.