Page 198 - The Book of Rumi

Camel, Bull, and Ram

or days, a starving camel, a bull, and a ram had roamed the prairie looking
Ffor anything green to eat, but they had not succeeded in fi nding a single
morsel. The three kept each other company as they continued their search for
food, hoping that by sticking to each other they might have a better chance.
They searched under every rock and sniffed each dry bush that they thought
might bear an edible surprise, until fi nally they found a small bit of wilting
grass. They were overjoyed, hoping to feed their empty stomachs at last, albeit
with a meager prize.
“This bit of grass is not going to suffi ce for the three of us if we share
it. None of us will satisfy our hunger with this!” the ram said as he pointed
toward the grass with his nose. “I’ve an idea though! Why don’t we let the old-
est of us feed on it, because respecting elders is a requirement in life. So let’s
each of us tell his age.”
Immediately after he had announced his plan, the ram volunteered his
age: “I’m the twin brother of the ram that the prophet Abraham sacrifi ced
instead of his son, Ishmael.”
“I’m the husband of the cow that Adam used to plough the fi elds after he
was expelled from paradise!” said the bull in turn.
When the camel heard them lie so blatantly, he bent down and pulled out
the grass with his mighty teeth. “It’s obvious that being as tall and capable as
I am, I’ve no need to be ancient like you to eat!” he said, not wasting another
moment as he patiently chewed the delectable weed, teaching them both an
invaluable lesson.

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