I heard that from the kings of Ghor

One king forcefully took donkeys

Donkeys under heavy loads without fodder

Would perish miserably in two days

When fortune favors the base man

It places a burden on the poor's narrow heart

When his tall roof is of a self-centered man

He urinates and throws trash on the low roof

I heard that once with the intent of hunting

The tyrant king went out

His charger chased a prey

Night fell, and he was separated from his retinue

Alone, he did not know the way

He unwittingly spent the night in a village

An old man lived in that village

One of the ancient people-knowing elders

He told his son: O joyful one

Do not take your donkey to the city in the morning

For this ill-fated scoundrel

Whom I see in a coffin instead of on a throne

Is bound by the command of the devil

Cries of his oppression reach the sky

In this country, no peace or joy

No human eye has seen or will see

Unless this dark, impure character

Is taken to hell with curses following

The son said: The road is long and hard

I cannot walk it, O fortunate one

Think of a way and give advice

For your wisdom is brighter than mine

The father said: If you listen to my advice

You must pick up a strong stone

Hit the famous donkey several times

Make its head, hands, and sides sore

So that the vile, wicked one

Cannot use the sore-backed donkey

Like Khidr the prophet who broke the ship

To restrain the hand of the oppressive tyrant

In the year that the ship was taken to the sea

He gained a bad name for many years

Cursed be such a kingdom and rule

That disgrace remains with him until the Day of Judgment

When the son heard this from his father

He did not stray from the line of command

He struck the poor donkey with a stone

The donkey became helpless and lame

The father said: Now take care of yourself

Take whichever path you must

The son followed the caravan

Cursing as much as he could

And from that side, the father turned his face towards the threshold

Saying, 'O Lord, by the prayer rug of the righteous.'

Grant me so much respite from the times

That the end of this ominous oppressor may come.

If I do not see his destruction

My eyes will not rest in the grave at night.

If a pregnant woman gives birth to a snake

It is better than a human born of devilish nature.

A woman is far better than a harmful man

A dog is better than a person who torments others.

A hermaphrodite who commits injustice against himself

Is better than one who does evil to another.

The king heard all this and said nothing

He tied his horse and laid his head on the felt saddle and slept.

All night he stayed awake, counting the stars

Grief and worry took away his sleep.

When he heard the voice of the morning bird

He forgot the troubles of the night.

The horsemen rode all night

At dawn they recognized the horse's tracks.

On that field, they saw the king on horseback

The entire army ran on foot.

In service, they placed their heads on the ground

The earth became like a sea from the waves of the army.

One of his old friends said to him

Who was his chamberlain at night and his companion during the day.

What lodging did the subjects provide last night?

That neither our eyes nor our ears rested.

The king could not tell the story

Of what had befallen him from the vileness of the vile one.

He slowly brought his head close to his

And secretly whispered in his ear.

No one brought me even a chicken's foot

But the donkey's hand went beyond all measure.

The nobles sat down and requested a feast

They ate and adorned the gathering.

When excitement and joy entered his being

He remembered the peasant from the previous night.

He ordered, and they searched and bound him tightly

They threw him in disgrace at the foot of the throne.

The black-hearted one drew his sharp sword

The poor wretch knew no way to escape.

He raised his head in despair and said

It is not fitting to sleep in the house of the grave at night.

I did not only say this to you, O king

But that fortune has turned and times are bad.

Why did you become so angry with me?

I spoke to you first, all the people after.

Since you have acted unjustly, do not expect

Your name to go well in the land.

And if the words seemed difficult to you

Do not do anything else that seems difficult to you.

Your only remedy is to turn away from oppression

Not to kill innocent wretches.

Consider that I have five more days left

Consider that you have spent two more days in pleasant living.

The evil-doing oppressor will not remain

Eternal damnation will remain upon him.

It is good advice for you if you listen

And if you do not listen, you yourself will regret it.

Know, when is a king praised?

When his people praise him in the court.

What is the use of praise at the head of the assembly?

When an old woman is cursing in the corner?

He was saying this while the sword was above his head

Having shielded his life against the arrow of fate.

You do not see that when the knife is at the head

The pen's tongue is more fluent.

The king came to his senses from the intoxication of negligence

A fortunate messenger whispered in his ear.

Hold back the hand of punishment from this old man

Consider one killed out of thousands upon thousands.

For a moment, he remained with his head in his collar

Then he shook his sleeve in forgiveness.

With his own hands, he removed the bonds from him

He kissed his head and embraced him.

He bestowed greatness and command upon him

Prosperity arose from the branch of his hope.

This story became a tale in the world

Good fortune follows the righteous.

Learn good character from the wise

Not so much that you seek faults in the heedless.

Hear about your character from the enemy, not the friend

Whatever comes from you is good in his eyes.

Giving sugar to the sick is a burden

For his beneficial medicine is the bitter one.

A stern face does reproof better

Than sweet-natured, pleasant-mannered friends.

No one will give you better advice than this

If you are wise, one hint is enough.