چون نمی‌آید ورا رنجوریی ** که بگیرد چند روز او دوریی

(Saying), “Since no illness befalls him, which would cause him to take absence for several days,

تا رهیم از حبس و تنگی و ز کار ** هست او چون سنگ خارا بر قرار 1525

So that we might escape from (this) imprisonment and confinement and work, (what can we do?). He is fixed (here), like a solid rock.”

آن یکی زیرکتر این تدبیر کرد ** که بگوید اوستا چونی تو زرد

One, the cleverest (of them all), planned that he should say, “Master, how are you (so) pale?

خیر باشد رنگ تو بر جای نیست ** این اثر یا از هوا یا از تبیست

May it be well (with you)! Your colour is changed: this is the effect either of (bad) air or of a fever.”

اندکی اندر خیال افتد ازین ** تو برادر هم مدد کن این‌چنین

(He continued), “At this he (the master) will begin to fancy a little (that he is ill): do you too, brother, help (me) in like manner.

چون درآیی از در مکتب بگو ** خیر باشد اوستا احوال تو

When you come in through the door of the school, say (to him), ‘Master, is your state (of health) good?’

آن خیالش اندکی افزون شود ** کز خیالی عاقلی مجنون شود 1530

(Then) that fancy of his will increase a little, for by a fancy a sensible man is driven mad.

آن سوم و آن چارم و پنجم چنین ** در پی ما غم نمایند و حنین

After us let the third (boy) and the fourth and the fifth show sympathy and sorrow likewise,

تا چو سی کودک تواتر این خبر ** متفق گویند یابد مستقر

So that, when with one consent thirty boys successively tell this story, it may find lodgement (in his mind).”

هر یکی گفتش که شاباش ای ذکی ** باد بختت بر عنایت متکی

Each (of the boys) said to him (the ringleader), “Bravo, O sagacious one! May your fortune rest on the favour (of God)!”