Page 74 - The Book of Rumi

would warn the hunter that to befriend an ignorant beast was dangerous, even
worse than making friends with a human enemy. The hunter, though, never
heeded their advice, believing that his advisers were all jealous of his friend-
ship with the glorious bear. Soon, everyone stopped giving him advice, leaving
the hunter to his own devices.
One glorious morning, the huntsman decided to take advantage of the
good weather and go hunting. The two companions traversed a variety of
mountain paths in search of a worthy prey, but they were unlucky and still
empty-handed after many hours of aimless pursuit. The hunter grew weary
and decided to take a short nap in the shade of a tree. The bear had learned
to obediently sit by his side and guard him and his bow and arrows until he
awoke.
As the hunter slept deeply, dreaming of beautiful long summer days, a
fly began to circle above his head, buzzing noisily. The hunter waved at the

fly in his sleep, tossing and turning, but the fly would not relent. The bear,
whose one and only aim in life had become the constant care of his master-
companion, couldn’t succeed in waving off the fly either, and he became

frustrated and impatient. The fly’s incessant buzzing would not quiet down,
adding to the bear’s exasperation. In one great swoop the bear fi nally picked
up the nearest rock that he could hold in his front paws and, as the fly alit on

the hunter’s forehead, slammed it onto the insect, crushing the hunter’s skull
along with the fl y in one swift motion.
Such is the result of keeping company with the ignorant, albeit with the
best of intentions.

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