A Tale

The great ones of the faith tell a story, those who know truth with the clear certainty of the soul. A man of enlightened heart once rode upon a leopard, urging it forward smoothly, a snake held in his hand as a whip. Someone said to him: You who walk the road to God, show me the path you have taken. What did you do to tame a wild beast, so that the ring of good fortune bears your name? He replied: If the leopard and the snake obey me, and even if the elephant and the vulture did, do not be amazed. You too, do not turn your neck away from God's command, and nothing will ever turn its neck away from yours. When a ruler acts by the command of God, then God is his protector and his helper. It is impossible, once He loves you, that He would leave you in the hands of an enemy. This is the way; do not turn your face from the true path. Take the step, and find the desire you carry. Advice benefits only the one who finds Saadi's words worth heeding.