One year, Sultan Muhammad Khwarazmshah (may God have mercy on him) made peace with the Khitans for a certain reason. I entered the great mosque of Kashgar and saw a young man, a grammarian, of utmost elegance and beauty, so much so that one could say about him:
"Your teacher has taught you nothing but charm and mischief,
Injustice, coyness, reproach, and cruelty.
I have never seen anyone with such a face, character, stature, and manner,
Unless he learned these traits from a fairy."
He was holding Zamakhshari’s Grammar in his hand and reading aloud: Zayd struck Amr, and Amr was the one who was struck. I said, “O boy, Khwarazm and Khitan have made peace, but Zayd and Amr still have their dispute?” He laughed and asked where I was from. I replied, “From Shiraz.” He said, “What do you have of Saadi’s words?” I responded:
"I have been afflicted by a grammarian who storms angrily against me,
Like Zayd confronting Amr."
"His robe drags behind him, never raising his head,
For how can a nominative be proper when governed by a preposition?"
He pondered for a moment and said, "Most of his poetry in this region is in Persian; it would be easier to understand if you spoke in that language. Speak to people in accordance with their level of understanding." I said:
"Your mind turned towards grammar,
And erased all patience from our hearts.
O beloved, you ensnare the hearts of lovers,
We are occupied with you, but you with Amr and Zayd."
When I was ready to depart the next morning, he was told that I was Saadi. He came running with kindness and regret, saying, “Why didn’t you say earlier that it was you, so I could have bound myself to serve such a great man?” I replied:
"With your presence, I could not raise my voice to say, ‘I am.’"
He said, “What would it take for you to stay here for a while so we can benefit from your company?” I said, “I cannot, due to this story:”
I saw a great man in the mountains,
Who was content with living in a cave, free from the world.
I asked, 'Why don't you come to the city,
To relieve the burden from your heart for once?'
He said, 'In the city, the fair-faced ones slip and slide,
When there are too many flowers, even elephants stumble.'”
After saying this, we kissed each other’s faces in farewell.
What good is it to kiss a friend’s face,
Only to bid them farewell in the same moment?
It is as if the apple bids farewell,
Its face red on one side and yellow on the other.
If I do not die from sorrow on the day of parting,
Then do not consider me just in my affection.
