کسب شکرش را نمی‌دانم ندید ** تا کشد رزق خدا رزق و مزید
I know nothing to be compared with the acquisition of thanksgiving to Him, in order that thanksgiving to God may bring (in its train) the daily bread and the increase (thereof).”
بحثشان بسیار شد اندر خطاب ** مانده گشتند از سال و از جواب
Their dispute was prolonged in mutual altercation (till) they became incapable of (further) questioning and answering.
بعد از آن گفتش بدان در مملکه ** نهی لا تلقوا بایدی تهلکه
Afterwards he (the fox) said to him, “Mark in the (Divine) kingdom the prohibition, ‘Do not cast yourselves into destruction.’
صبر در صحرای خشک و سنگ‌لاخ ** احمقی باشد جهان حق فراخ
In a barren desert covered with stones self-denial is folly: God's world is wide.
نقل کن زینجا به سوی مرغزار ** می‌چر آنجا سبزه گرد جویبار 2430
Move from this place towards the meadow, and browse there on the verdure round about the river—
مرغزاری سبز مانند جنان ** سبزه رسته اندر آنجا تا میان
A meadow verdant like Paradise, where the verdure grows up to (as high as) the waist.
خرم آن حیوان که او آنجا شود ** اشتر اندر سبزه ناپیدا شود
Happy the animal that goes thither: amidst the verdure a camel would become invisible.
هر طرف در وی یکی چشمه‌ی روان ** اندرو حیوان مرفه در امان
There, on every side, is a running fountain; there the animals are in comfort and security.”
از خری او را نمی‌گفت ای لعین ** تو از آن‌جایی چرا زاری چنین
From asininity he (the ass) did not say to him, “O accursed one, thou art (come) from there: how art thou so wretched?
کو نشاط و فربهی و فر تو ** چیست این لاغر تن مضطر تو 2435
Where is thy gaiety and fatness and comeliness? What is (the meaning of) this lean starved body of thine?