زیرکان با صنعتی قانع شده ** ابلهان از صنع در صانع شده
The clever ones are content with an ingenious device; the simple ones have gone (away) from the artifice to rest in the Artificer,
زانک طفل خرد را مادر نهار ** دست و پا باشد نهاده بر کنار 2375
Because at breakfast time a mother will have laid the little child’s hands and feet (in repose) on her bosom.
حکایت آن سه مسافر مسلمان و ترسا و جهود و آن کی به منزل قوتی یافتند و ترسا و جهود سیر بودند گفتند این قوت را فردا خوریم مسلمان صایم بود گرسنه ماند از آنک مغلوب بود
Story of the three travellers—a Moslem, a Christian, and a Jew— who obtained (a gift of) some food at a hostelry. The Christian and the Jew had already eaten their fill, so they said, “Let us eat this food to-morrow.” The Moslem was fasting, and he remained hungry because he was overpowered (by his companions).
یک حکایت بشنو اینجا ای پسر ** تا نگردی ممتحن اندر هنر
Here listen to a story, O son, in order that you may not suffer affliction in (relying upon) talent.
آن جهود و مومن و ترسا مگر ** همرهی کردند با هم در سفر
As it happened, a Jew and a true believer and a Christian travelled together on a journey.
با دو گمره همره آمد مومنی ** چون خرد با نفس و با آهرمنی
A true believer travelled along with two miscreants, like reason (associated) with a carnal soul and Devil.
مرغزی و رازی افتند از سفر ** همره و هم‌سفره پیش هم‌دگر
In travel the man of Merv and the man of Rayy meet one another as companions on the road and at table.
در قفص افتند زاغ و جغد و باز ** جفت شد در حبس پاک و بی‌نماز 2380
Crow and owl and falcon come (as captives) into the (same) cage: the holy and the irreligious become mates in prison.
کرده منزل شب به یک کاروانسرا ** اهل شرق و اهل غرب و ما ورا
At night Easterners and Westerners and Transoxanians make their abode in the same caravanseray.
مانده در کاروانسرا خرد و شگرف ** روزها با هم ز سرما و ز برف
Small and great (folk) remain together for days in the caravanseray because of frost and snow.
چون گشاده شد ره و بگشاد بند ** بسکلند و هر یکی جایی روند
As soon as the road is opened and the obstacle removed, they separate and every one goes in a (different) direction.