Hekayat 8 from Chapter 3 of Golestan of Saadi
English Translation for Hekayat
A grocer had a few dirhams owed to him by the Sufis in Wasit.
Every day, he would demand payment and speak harshly.
The companions were weary of his harassment, but they had no choice but to endure it.
A wise man among them said: “It is easier to promise the soul food than to promise the grocer dirhams.”
"Better to abandon the favor of the master,
Than to endure the cruelty of the gatekeepers.
Better to die desiring meat,
Than to face the butcher’s ugly demands."
متن حکایت
بقّالی را دِرَمی چند بر صوفیان گرد آمده بود در واسط.
هر روز مُطالبت کردی و سخنان با خشونت گفتی.
اصحاب از تَعَنُّتِ وی خسته‌خاطر همی‌بودند و از تحمّل چاره نبود.
صاحب‌دلی در آن میان گفت: نفْسْ را وعده دادن به طعام آسان‌تر است که بقّال را به دِرَم.
ترکِ احسانِ خواجه اولی‌ٰتر
کاحتمالِ جفایِ بَوّابان
به تمنّای گوشت، مردن بِهْ
که تقاضایِ زشتِ قصّابان
