Translation: Makbule E. Dündar

Once upon a time there was a sultan  and he built incrediable palace which was totally decorated with gold

He put the most expensive furnitures in it.

It was so spectecular and many people from all over the world were coming to visit palace with their gifts for sultan.

Sultan called his sages and philosophers and asked:

-Can you see any mistake or anything wrong with this palace?

Everybody said: No, of course not! Everything is just more than perfect. It is unique and mankind  haven't seen until now and will never see such a palace in future!

Just one ascetic stood on his feet and said:

My restpectable sultan, palace is quite good but there is a hole on the wall and it is very big deficiency. İf it would be there, palace is just perfect even heaven can offer a bunch of flower!

Sultan was very angry after this sentences.

I'm so clever and even I could not see mentioned hole, look yourself poor man, how you could see it!

Ascetic spoke wisely with modest attitude and said:

- My great sultan, you forgot to clog that hole where the angel of dearth will come! Palace is wonderful but I friendly advice you to remember death as well as palace...

Source: Metin Karabaşoğlu, Sufi'nin Dünyası Sufi Öyküleri-I, Sufi Kitap Publ., İstanbul March 2009, p. 51-52.

 

 

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