A dervish lamented his weak condition

Before a harsh, wealthy man.

The black-hearted man gave him neither a dinar nor a dang (small coin)

He shouted at him harshly, like a flock of birds.

The supplicant's heart was wounded by his injustice

He raised his head in sorrow and said, 'Oh, how astonishing!'

Why is a wealthy man so frowning and harsh?

Does he not fear the bitterness of need (one day)?

The short-sighted man ordered his servant

To drive him away with humiliation and utter torment.

For not giving thanks to the sustainer

I heard that fortune turned away from him.

His greatness ended in ruin

Mercury (the scribe of fate) placed his pen in darkness (wrote his downfall).

Misfortune stripped him bare like garlic

It left him neither his burden (possessions) nor his beast of burden.

Fate scattered the dust of poverty upon his head

Like a juggler, his bag and hands were empty (he was penniless).

His entire condition changed completely

A period of time passed over this event.

His servant fell into the hands of a generous man

A man rich in heart, hand, and noble nature.

He was as happy to see a distressed, poor man

As a poor man would be with wealth.

One evening, someone sought a morsel of food at his door

His steps were weak from hardship.

The insightful master ordered his servant

To make the needy man content.

When he brought a share from the table near him

He let out an involuntary cry.

A broken-hearted man came back to the master

His tears revealed the secret on his face (like brocade).

The auspicious-natured master asked

From whose oppression have these tears come to your face?

He said, 'My inner self is deeply troubled'

Because of the condition of this old man with troubled fortune.

That I was his slave in the past

The owner of lands, possessions, and wealth.

When his hand was shortened from power and luxury

He stretches out his hand in supplication at doors.

He laughed and said, 'O son, there is no injustice'

Oppression is not far from anyone due to the turning of fate.

Is that not the harsh merchant

Who carried his head to the sky in arrogance?

I am the one whom he drove away from his door that day

The turning of the world has placed him in my situation.

Heaven looked back towards me

And washed away the dust of sorrow from my face.

If God closes a door with wisdom

He opens another with grace and generosity.

Many a penniless wretch has become satiated

Many a wealthy man's affairs have been turned upside down.