- The ram said to the ox and the camel, “O comrades, since such a (lucky) chance has come to us,
- گفت قج با گاو و اشتر ای رفاق ** چون چنین افتاد ما را اتفاق
- Let each (of us) declare the date (antiquity) of his life: the oldest has the best right, let the others suffer (disappointment) in silence. 2475
- هر یکی تاریخ عمر ابدا کنید ** پیرتر اولیست باقی تن زنید
- In those times,” said the ram, “my pasturage was (shared) with the ram that was sacrificed for Ismá‘íl (Ishmael).”
- گفت قج مرج من اندر آن عهود ** با قج قربان اسمعیل بود
- The ox said, “I am the (most) advanced in years, (I was) coupled with the ox that Adam yoked.
- گاو گفتا بوده‌ام من سال‌خورد ** جفت آن گاوی کش آدم جفت کرد
- I am the yoke-fellow of the ox with which Adam, the forefather of mankind, used to plough the earth in sowing.”
- جفت آن گاوم که آدم جد خلق ** در زراعت بر زمین می‌کرد فلق
- When the camel heard the ox and the ram (make these assertions) he was amazed: he lowered his head and picked up that (bunch of grass).
- چون شنید از گاو و قج اشتر شگفت ** سر فرود آورد و آن را برگرفت
- Promptly, without any palaver, the Bactrian camel raised the bunch of fresh barley in the air, 2480
- در هوا بر داشت آن بند قصیل ** اشتر بختی سبک بی‌قال و قیل
- Saying, “I, in sooth, need no (support from) chronology, since I have such a (stout) body and high neck.
- که مرا خود حاجت تاریخ نیست ** کین چنین جسمی و عالی گردنیست
- Indeed every one knows, O father's darling, that I am not smaller than you.
- خود همه کس داند ای جان پدر ** که نباشم از شما من خردتر
- Whoever is one of those possessed of intelligence knows this, that my nature is superior to yours.”
- داند این را هرکه ز اصحاب نهاست ** که نهاد من فزون‌تر از شماست