Page 70 - The Book of Rumi

Moses and the Shepherd

t was almost sundown, and the heat of the day was abating. The shepherd
Ihad gathered his herd of goats and was heading home. A soft, cool breeze
had begun to blow, making the thought of the imminent night even more deli-
cious. The shepherd was in a good mood and was lovingly praising his beloved
God, unaware that the prophet Moses was within earshot:
“Where are You, my one and only Beloved, so that I may serve You with-
out fail, mend Your shoes when they’re torn, comb Your locks when they’re
untidy, wash Your clothes when they’re soiled, and pick the lice out of Your
disheveled hair? My magnifi cent Beloved, I promise to always kiss Your hands
with utter respect, bring You fresh milk every day, and rub Your tired feet
when they’re painfully sore. When it’s time to sleep, I’ll make Your bed and
sweep Your room spotless. My life’s Yours to do with as You wish; my goats,
my entire livelihood, all belong to You, for You’re my one and only Love.”
Moses patiently listened to the shepherd’s blasphemous litany until he
fi nally fell silent. Gravely he stepped forward and asked the simple shepherd
with authority: “Who were you speaking to?”
“The One who created you and me, the earth and the sky,” replied the
shepherd innocently, not recognizing Moses.
Moses could not hold back his anger and exclaimed in horror: “You
miserable, pitiful man! What’s this nonsense you’re spitting out? I’m Moses,
your prophet, and I’m telling you to shut your disdainful mouth this instant.
The Creator has no worldly limbs; shoes are for those who need them, milk is
for someone who’s still growing! Your praise makes no sense, so stop it before
your life is forever cursed!”
Astounded and ashamed, the shepherd sighed: “Oh, Moses, you’ve sewn
my lips together! I repent and wish that my life could be set on eternal fi re
this very minute!”
He then stood up, ripped open his shirt, threw it to the wind, and sobbed
desperately into the desert. Soon after this encounter, Moses felt a heavy

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