Story 21

They tell of a bully who threw a stone at a pious man's head. The dervish had no chance for revenge, so he kept the stone until a day came when the king grew angry at the man and threw him into a well. The dervish went and struck the stone against his head. The man said: 'Who are you, and why did you throw this stone at me?' He replied: 'I am so and so, and this is the very stone you threw at my head on such and such a day.' The man asked: 'And where have you been all this time?' He answered: 'I was afraid of your rank and power. Now that I have found you in a well, I saw the opportunity as a prize.' When you see a worthless man favored by fortune, the wise choose to yield the field to him. When your claws are not sharp enough to tear, better not to pick a fight with wild beasts. Whoever grapples with an arm of steel only bruises his own poor wrist. Wait until time itself ties his hands, then dash out his brains to your friends' delight.