- Here listen to a story, O son, in order that you may not suffer affliction in (relying upon) talent.
- یک حکایت بشنو اینجا ای پسر ** تا نگردی ممتحن اندر هنر
- As it happened, a Jew and a true believer and a Christian travelled together on a journey.
- آن جهود و مومن و ترسا مگر ** همرهی کردند با هم در سفر
- A true believer travelled along with two miscreants, like reason (associated) with a carnal soul and Devil.
- با دو گمره همره آمد مومنی ** چون خرد با نفس و با آهرمنی
- In travel the man of Merv and the man of Rayy meet one another as companions on the road and at table.
- مرغزی و رازی افتند از سفر ** همره و هم‌سفره پیش هم‌دگر
- Crow and owl and falcon come (as captives) into the (same) cage: the holy and the irreligious become mates in prison. 2380
- در قفص افتند زاغ و جغد و باز ** جفت شد در حبس پاک و بی‌نماز
- At night Easterners and Westerners and Transoxanians make their abode in the same caravanseray.
- کرده منزل شب به یک کاروانسرا ** اهل شرق و اهل غرب و ما ورا
- Small and great (folk) remain together for days in the caravanseray because of frost and snow.
- مانده در کاروانسرا خرد و شگرف ** روزها با هم ز سرما و ز برف
- As soon as the road is opened and the obstacle removed, they separate and every one goes in a (different) direction.
- چون گشاده شد ره و بگشاد بند ** بسکلند و هر یکی جایی روند
- When sovereign Reason breaks the cage, all the birds fly away, each one to a (different) quarter.
- چون قفس را بشکند شاه خرد ** جمع مرغان هر یکی سویی پرد
- Before this (deliverance) each one, full of longing and lament, spreads its wings towards its destination, in desire for its mate. 2385
- پر گشاید پیش ازین بر شوق و یاد ** در هوای جنس خود سوی معاد