چون که تا اقصای هندوستان رسید ** در بیابان طوطی چندی بدید

When he reached the farthest bounds of India, he saw a number of parrots in the plain.

مرکب استانید پس آواز داد ** آن سلام و آن امانت باز داد

He halted his beast; then he gave voice, delivered the greeting and (discharged) the trust.

طوطیی ز آن طوطیان لرزید بس ** اوفتاد و مرد و بگسستش نفس‌‌

One of those parrots trembled exceedingly, fell, and died, and its breath stopped.

شد پشیمان خواجه از گفت خبر ** گفت رفتم در هلاک جانور 1590

The merchant repented of having told the news, and said, “I have gone about to destroy the creature.

این مگر خویش است با آن طوطیک ** این مگر دو جسم بود و روح یک‌‌

This one, surely, is kin to that little parrot (of mine): they must have been two bodies and one spirit.

این چرا کردم چرا دادم پیام ** سوختم بی‌‌چاره را زین گفت خام‌‌

Why did I do this? Why did I give the message? I have consumed the poor creature by this raw (foolish) speech.”

این زبان چون سنگ و هم آهن‌‌وش است ** و آن چه بجهد از زبان چون آتش است‌‌

This tongue is like stone and is also like iron, and that which springs from the tongue is like fire.

سنگ و آهن را مزن بر هم گزاف ** گه ز روی نقل و گاه از روی لاف‌‌

Do not vainly strike stone and iron against each other, now for the sake of relating (a story), now for the sake of boasting,

ز آن که تاریک است و هر سو پنبه زار ** در میان پنبه چون باشد شرار 1595

Because it is dark, and on every side are fields of cotton: how should sparks be amongst cotton?

ظالم آن قومی که چشمان دوختند ** ز آن سخنها عالمی را سوختند

Iniquitous are those persons who shut their eyes and by such (vain) words set a whole world ablaze.