One year, I was traveling from Balkh to Bamiyan, a route notorious for being dangerous due to bandits. A young man, a bold and powerful warrior, joined me for protection. He was strong enough that it took ten able men to string his bow, and no one could bring him down in a wrestling match. However, he was as you might expect: sheltered, pampered, untested by the world, and inexperienced in travel. He had never heard the thunder of warriors' drums or seen the flash of swords in battle.
"He had never fallen captive to an enemy,
Nor had arrows ever rained down upon him."
As we went on our way, the young man and I ran side by side. Whenever we encountered an ancient wall, he would bring it down with the strength of his arm, and when he saw a large tree, he would uproot it with his powerful grip. Boasting, he would declare:
"Where is the elephant to face my strong shoulders?
Where is the lion to see the might of my hands?"
At that moment, two bandits emerged from behind a rock and attacked us. One held a club, and the other wielded a stone-crushing mallet. I said to the young man, "What are you waiting for? Show your bravery and strength, for the enemy has come to meet his grave!"
But I saw the young man’s bow and arrows fall from his hands, and his bones began to tremble.
"Not everyone who can split hair with his arrows
Can hold his ground in the heat of battle."
Seeing no other choice, we abandoned our belongings, weapons, and clothes and escaped with our lives.
"Send the experienced to face heavy tasks,
For the ferocious lion can be brought down by a seasoned hand.
A young man, though strong as an elephant,
May falter from fear when facing an enemy."
"It is clear who can face a seasoned warrior,
Just as a religious scholar knows the law."
