Page 62 - The Book of Rumi

him back from the buyer or got the money out of this unruly lot. Now that
they’ve each gone their separate ways, how am I ever going to fi nd them? What
an irreparable injustice you’ve brought upon me!” he whimpered.
“I tried to warn you several times, I swear to God, but your enthusiasm
was greater than all of theirs put together!” retorted the stableboy. “You sang
even louder than the rest: ‘The ass is gone, the ass is gone!’ I thought for sure
you must have given them your consent, being a mystic and privy to so many
secrets!”
“I was excited, aroused by their enthusiasm,” agreed the darvish. “But I
was foolish to imitate them. Imitation has destroyed me! I curse it a thousand
times, for it has damaged me beyond repair!”

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