Story 12

Iraqi style
English

Story 12

One of the unjust kings asked a holy man: which act of worship is the most excellent? The man replied: for you, a midday nap, so that for at least that one breath you harm no one. I saw a tyrant sleeping at noon. I said: he is a menace; better that sleep has taken him. For someone whose sleep is better than his waking, living so badly, better that he were dead.
Explanation: The point is biting: a cruel ruler does the least damage when unconscious, so sleep, and even death, is preferable to his active life.

Original · Persian

حکایت شمارهٔ ۱۲

یکی از ملوکِ بی‌انصاف پارسایی را پرسید؛ از عبادت‌ها کدام فاضل‌تر است؟ گفت: تو را خوابِ نیمروز تا در آن، یک‌نفس خلق را نیازاری.
ظالمی را خفته دیدم نیمروز گفتم این فتنه است، خوابش برده، بِه
وآنکه خوابش بهتر از بیداری است آن‌چنان بد زندگانی، مُرده به