There is a story of a boxer who, frustrated by the hardships of life and overwhelmed by poverty, sought his father's permission to embark on a journey. He believed that by relying on the strength of his arms, he could grasp success.
"Talent and virtue go unnoticed until they are displayed, Fragrant wood is placed on fire, and musk is rubbed to reveal its scent."
His father replied, "Son, rid yourself of this unrealistic dream. Embrace contentment, for wise men have said: 'Prosperity is not achieved through effort, and excessive striving brings no solution.'
No one can seize fortune by force, Striving without purpose is like applying makeup to a blind person.
Even if you have wisdom as numerous as the strands of your hair, It won't help if fate is against you."
The son argued, "Father, there are many benefits to traveling: peace of mind, economic gain, seeing wonders, hearing rare things, exploring lands, making friends, acquiring knowledge and wealth, and learning life's experiences, as the mystics have said:
As long as you stay confined to your shop and home, You will never mature, O foolish one.
Venture into the world and explore, Before the day comes when you leave it forever."
The father said, "Son, the advantages of travel are indeed many, as you say, but only for five groups of people:
The first is the merchant, who, with wealth and power, owns delightful slaves and servants. He enjoys the pleasures of the world, staying in a new city every day and resting in a new place every night.
A wealthy person is never a stranger, even in the mountains, deserts, or faraway lands. Wherever they go, they pitch their tent and make their camp.
But the one who lacks worldly fortune, Even in their homeland, they are a stranger and unknown.
The second is the scholar, whose sweet logic, eloquence, and rhetoric earn them honor and respect wherever they go.
A learned person is like gold— Wherever they go, people recognize their worth and value.
An ignorant noble is like a common clay pot— In foreign lands, they hold no value.
The third is the beautiful person, whose company is sought after by the hearts of the virtuous. As the wise have said: 'A little beauty is better than much wealth,' and they also say: 'A beautiful face heals broken hearts and unlocks closed doors.' Thus, their companionship is treasured, and serving them is considered an honor.
Wherever the beloved goes, they are met with respect and honor, Even if their parents and kin reject them.
I saw a peacock's feather in a holy book, And I thought, ‘This place seems too lofty for you,’
It replied, ‘Be silent! Whoever has beauty, Wherever they set foot, no one pushes them aside.'
If a child is both agreeable and charming, There is no need to worry, even if their father disowns them.
They are a gem, even if the world lacks a protective shell. Everyone will seek the rare pearl.
The fourth is the sweet-voiced singer, whose David-like voice halts the flowing water and stops the birds in flight. Through this virtue, they capture the hearts of those who long for beauty, and the wise seek their company and serve them in various ways.
Listen to the melodies, Who can resist their enchanting tunes?
How delightful is a soft and melancholic tune, To the ears of those intoxicated with the morning drink!
A sweet voice is better than a beautiful face, For the former nourishes the soul, while the latter merely pleases the senses.
Or at least, a humble craftsman, who, through the effort of his hands, earns enough to maintain his dignity and prevent shame from begging for bread, as wise men have said:
If a cobbler travels far from his hometown, He won't suffer hardship, for his craft sustains him.
And if the kingdom falls into ruin, Even the king of noon will sleep hungry.
These are the types I’ve mentioned, my son, who can enjoy travel and live a pleasant life. But one who lacks these qualities will wander the world in vain, and no one will hear of them again."
Whoever the world's turn has set against them, Fate will lead them in harmful directions.
A pigeon that will never see its nest again, Will be led by destiny toward the hunter’s trap.
The son said, "Father, how can we contradict the words of the wise? They have said that though sustenance is predestined, it is essential to seek the means to acquire it, and though calamity is decreed, one must avoid its gateways."
Though sustenance is guaranteed, Wisdom dictates seeking it from the right places.
Though no one will die before their time, Don't walk into the jaws of a dragon.
"In this case," the son continued, "I will fight against elephants and wrestle lions, so it is best for me to travel, as I can no longer bear this poverty."
When a man falls from his place and position, What does it matter? The whole world becomes his domain.
Every night the rich find a house to stay, But the poor man stays wherever night finds him.
With these words, the son bade his father farewell, sought his blessing, and set off on his journey, telling himself:
A skilled person without luck may end up in a place where no one knows their name.
After traveling, the young man reached a river whose mighty currents carried boulders with ease. He saw a group of people on the riverbank, all preparing for a journey, but his hands were empty, and he had no means to join them. He pleaded for help, but they ignored him. A heartless sailor mocked him, saying:
"If you have no money, you cannot cross the sea by force. What good is the strength of ten men? Bring me the money of one!"
Angered by the sailor's taunts, the young man seized the opportunity to fight back when the sailor returned, pulling him down and beating him. The sailor's companions joined in, but they, too, were beaten and eventually made peace with him, agreeing to let him board the boat for free.
"When you see conflict, bring patience,
For gentleness can close the door to battle.
With sweet words and kindness,
You can pull an elephant with a thread.
They fell at his feet in apology for their past actions and gave him a few deceitful kisses on his head and eyes. Then they brought him on board the ship, and they set sail until they reached a column of Greek architecture standing in the water. The sailor said, ‘There is damage to the ship; one of you, who is braver, must go to this column and hold the reins of the ship while we repair it.’ The young man, in his pride of bravery, did not consider the offended enemy, nor the wisdom of those who say: If you have caused someone pain, even if you bring them a hundred comforts afterward, do not feel safe from the consequences of that single hurt, for the arrow may be removed from the wound, but the pain remains in the heart.
How well Bakhtash said to Khayltash,
‘If you wound an enemy, do not feel safe.’
Do not be confident, for you will be distressed,
When someone’s heart tightens because of you.
Do not throw stones at the fortress walls,
For it might be that stones will return from the fortress.
As the young man wrapped the rope of the ship around his arm and climbed the column, the sailor let go of the reins and sailed away. The poor man was left bewildered. He endured suffering and hardship for two days. On the third day, sleep overtook him, and he fell into the water. After another day and night, he was washed ashore, barely alive. He began to eat leaves from trees and dig up roots of plants until he regained some strength. He set off through the desert and wandered until, thirsty and weak, he reached a well where a group of people was drinking water, each sip costing a penny. The young man had no penny. He asked for help and showed his desperation, but they showed no mercy. He tried to take water by force, but failed. Out of necessity, he struck a few of them, but the men overpowered him and beat him mercilessly.
When the mosquito is full, it can strike an elephant,
Despite the elephant’s strength and ferocity.
When ants unite,
They can tear the skin off a fierce lion.
Out of desperation, he followed a caravan and walked with them. At night, they reached a place full of dangerous bandits. He saw the caravan trembling with fear, ready to die. He said, ‘Do not worry, for I am here. I alone can handle fifty men, and the other young men will also help.’ When he said this, the people of the caravan found courage in his boast and were happy to have his company. They felt obligated to offer him food and water. The young man was starving and had lost control of his hunger. He ate a few bites out of desire and drank a little water until the inner demon of hunger was appeased, and he slept.
An experienced old man among them said, ‘O companions! I am more worried about this escort than the bandits, as the story goes: An Arab had collected a few coins and could not sleep at night out of fear of thieves. He invited a friend to keep him company and ease his fear of being alone. After staying with him for a few nights, the friend discovered the coins, stole them, ate, and left. The next morning, they found the Arab crying and destitute. They asked, ‘What happened? Did a thief steal your coins?’ He replied, ‘No, by God, the escort took them.’
I never trusted a snake,
Because I knew its true nature.
The bite of an enemy’s tooth is worse,
When it appears to you as a friend.
Who knows if this one is also among the bandits, disguised as our escort to inform them when the time is right? I think it’s best to leave him asleep and continue on our way.’ The young men accepted the old man’s advice, feared the fighter, and packed up and left, leaving the young man sleeping. He woke when the sun was already high, saw that the caravan had gone, and wandered around in despair, finding no way out. Thirsty and desperate, he threw himself to the ground, accepting death, and said:
‘Who will talk to me now that the camels are gone?
The only friend of a stranger is another stranger.’
Only those who have never been far from home
Will treat strangers harshly.
While he was lamenting, a prince, who had strayed from his hunting party, came upon him, listened to his words, and looked at him. His appearance was clean, but his condition was wretched. The prince asked, ‘Where are you from, and how did you end up here?’ The young man told some of his story. The prince took pity on him, gave him a robe and some wealth, and sent a trusted servant with him to return him to his own city. His father rejoiced at his return and thanked God for his safety. That night, the young man told his father everything that had happened: the ship, the cruelty of the sailor, the villagers at the well, and the betrayal of the caravan. His father said, ‘Son! Didn’t I tell you when you were leaving that the hands of the poor are bound in bravery, and the claws of a lion are broken?’
How well that brave but poor man said:
A stream of gold is better than fifty men of strength.
The son replied, ‘Father! Without toil, there is no treasure, and without risking one’s life, there is no victory over the enemy. And unless you scatter the seeds, you cannot gather the harvest.
Do you not see how, with a little hardship, I gained so much comfort, and from the sting I endured, I produced so much honey?
Though no one can eat more than their destined share,
One should not be lazy in seeking it.
If the diver fears the jaws of the shark,
He will never bring the precious pearl to hand.
The lower millstone is immobile, thus it bears the heavy burden.’
What will the ferocious lion eat in its cave?
What strength will a trapped hawk have?
If you hunt from your home,
Your hands and feet will be like a spider’s.
The father said, ‘Son! This time, the heavens helped you and fortune guided you. A noble man took pity on you and restored your broken state with his generosity. Such rare events happen only occasionally, and one cannot rely on rare occurrences. Be warned not to pursue such risks again out of greed.’
The hunter does not always catch a jackal;
Sometimes a panther will devour him.
It is said that one of the kings of Persia had a valuable jewel set in a ring. Once, for amusement, he went with a few trusted companions to the prayer grounds of Shiraz. He ordered the ring to be placed on top of the dome, saying that whoever could shoot an arrow through the ring would win the jewel. All four hundred archers in his service missed the mark, except for a boy playing with arrows from the rooftop of a nearby inn. The breeze carried his arrow through the ring, and he was given the prize. The boy burned his bow and arrows. When asked why, he replied, ‘So that the glory of my first success will remain.’
There are times when a wise man,
Despite all his knowledge, cannot devise a perfect plan.
And there are times when a child,
By accident, hits the mark with an arrow.’"
