Story No. 9

I have heard that lately an old man took it into his aging head to find a wife. He asked for a lovely girl named Gohar, a jewel, and hid her like a pearl in its case, away from people's eyes. The wedding had its usual spectacle and joy, but at the very first assault the old man's staff went limp. He drew his bow and missed the mark, for you cannot stitch a heavy garment except with a needle of steel. He began complaining to friends, building his case: 'This bright-eyed girl has swept my whole house clean and left me ruined.' War and turmoil broke out between husband and wife, until it reached the police and the judge, and Saadi said: After all this quarreling and disgrace, the girl bears no blame. With a hand that trembles, how would you know how to pierce a pearl? The sea's rewards would be sweet, were there no fear of the waves; the rose's company would be pleasant, were there no worry of thorns. Last night I strutted like a peacock in the garden of union; today, apart from my love, I writhe like a snake.