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.

چون قفس را بشکند شاه خرد ** جمع مرغان هر یکی سویی پرد

When sovereign Reason breaks the cage, all the birds fly away, each one to a (different) quarter.

پر گشاید پیش ازین بر شوق و یاد ** در هوای جنس خود سوی معاد 2385

Before this (deliverance) each one, full of longing and lament, spreads its wings towards its destination, in desire for its mate.