A Tale of Four Dervishes (Penguin Classics)

by Mir Amman

  ‘“Two years passed in this manner. My wife got pregnant. When the seventh and the eight months passed, the pains started. The midwife came and a dead child was brought forth. Its poison spread to the mother and she also died. I was mad with grief. I wept by her dead body and all at once the whole house echoed with lamentations and cries as women assembled there. Each one of them struck my head with both her hands, exposed her private parts, and then stood before me and wept. So many women assembled there that I was almost hidden amidst their naked bodies. It was so suffocating there. At that moment someone pulled me from behind by my collar. It was the same old man of Persia who had got me married to the vizier’s daughter. He said to me, ‘You fool, why do you weep?’ I said, ‘How cruel that you put to me this question! It is as if I have lost my kingdom. All the joys and comforts of a home are gone, and you ask me why I weep!’ Smiling sadly he said, ‘Now weep over your own death. Didn’t I tell you that your destined death had brought you to this city? And the same has come true. There is no escape for you now.’

  ‘“At last the people led me to the temple. The king and the nobles and all the citizens assembled there. All the wealth and property of the vizier’s daughter was placed there and everyone took out of it whatever he pleased and put down its value in money. Thus all her property was converted into money. Precious stones were then purchased with this money and kept in a box. In another chest they kept bread, sweetmeats, meat preparations, dry and green fruits and other eatables. The dead body of my wife was put in another chest. Both the chests were hung across a camel and they mounted me on it and put the box of precious stones in my lap. All the Brahmins walked ahead of the camel, singing hymns and blowing their shells. A huge crowd followed, wishing me good luck. By the same gate through which I had entered the city, I was taken out. The guard I had met earlier wept to see me and said, ‘You unfortunate, now you are in the jaws of death! You did not listen to my advice and stayed in the city and now you lose your life for nothing. But you will remember I had already warned you. You can not blame me now.’ I was so bewildered at what was going on around me that nothing he said made sense. I couldn’t utter a word and just wondered about what was to happen to me. They took me to the same fort whose stone-gate I had seen locked before entering the city. It took several men to unlock and open the gate. Then they carried the coffin and the chest of eatables into the fort. One priest came to me and said, ‘Man is born to die one day. This is the way of the world. Now here is your wife, your son and your provisions for forty days. Take it and stay here till the Great Idol is pleased with you.’ I was full of rage and wished to curse their idol and the citizens and their customs and give the priest a good beating but the same old man from Persia advised me in his own sweet tongue not to do so. He said, ‘Take care, do not utter a single word. If you do, they will burn you immediately. What was destined for you has come to be. Have faith in the mercy of God. He may yet deliver you alive from this place.’ In short, leaving me there all alone, they went out of the fort and locked the gate.

  ‘“I wept bitterly at my state and helplessness. I kicked the dead body of my wife and exclaimed, ‘You accursed woman, if you were to die in childbirth why did you marry and conceive at all?’ I cursed and beat the dead woman till I was exhausted and then sat quietly in a corner. The day advanced and the sun became dreadfully hot. I felt as though my brain would boil and melt. The stench was also killing me. All around me lay the bones of dead bodies and boxes full of precious stones. I gathered some old chests and placed them one upon the other so as to form a shed to protect me from the heat of the sun and the night dew. Then I searched for water. I found a tiny streak of water flowing out of a pot-like mouth in the cut out stones of the wall. Thus I lived for some time on the provisions I had with me. But when these were finished I was much worried and prayed to God. He is so benevolent and kind that soon the gate of the fort opened and they brought another coffin. An old man was also brought with it. When they left him and went away I thought of killing the old man and taking his chest of provisions. Taking the leg of an old wooden chest I went up to him. He was sitting lost in thought with his head on his knees. I crept up on him and gave him such a blow on his head that his brains spilled and he died at once. I took his provisions and lived on them. Thereafter, it became my practice to kill the living person who accompanied each coffin and thus I lived on their provisions.

  ‘“After a long time a young girl was brought with a coffin. As she was quite beautiful I did not have the heart to kill her. When she saw me, she fainted from fear. I kept her provisions with me, but I did not eat them alone. When I felt hungry I took some to her and we ate together. By and by she realized that I did not want to harm her and she feared me less and would often come to my shed. One day I asked her name and inquired about her life-story. She said, ‘I am the daughter of the king’s Prime Minister and was married to my uncle’s son. On the wedding night he had a serious attack of colic pain and he died of it at once. They left me here with his coffin.’ Then she asked me about my life. I also related to her my story and said, ‘God has sent you here for me.’ She said nothing, only smiled. Before long, we had fallen in love. I taught her the basic tenets of Islam and made her recite the creed after me. Then I married her. She became pregnant and a son was born to us. We passed three years in this way. When my wife weaned the child I said to her one day, ‘How long shall we live here? Can’t we find some way to escape from this place?’ She said, ‘God alone can help us or else we shall die here one day.’ On these words I broke down and wept bitterly till I fell asleep. That night I had a dream. I saw a person in my dream saying to me, ‘If you want to get out from this place, get out through the drain.’ I woke up with joy and said to my wife, ‘Bring to me all the iron rods and nails from the old chests so that we may widen the drain. I would keep the iron rod at the mouth of the drain and strike it hard with stones until I tired myself. After one year’s hard labour it was wide enough for a man to pass through. We collected the finest precious stones and stuffed them into sleeves ripped from the dead men’s shirts. Taking them with us we crawled out through the drain and thanked God. I took the child on my shoulder and for the past one month we have been travelling through mountains and woods, avoiding the highway for fear. We have lived on grass and leaves. This is my story. Now I have no more strength to speak.”

  ‘Khwaja the dog-worshipper continued, “Your Majesty, I pitied him, sent him to the bath and got him dressed well. I made him my deputy. I had many children from the princess but they all died young. One son expired when he was five years old and soon after the princess also died of grief. I was disillusioned. Life without her became unbearable for me and I decided to return to Persia. With the king’s approval I got the young man appointed as Master of Port in my place. In the meantime the king also passed away. I took this faithful dog and all my jewels and money with me and came to Nishapur so that no one might know the story of my brothers. I came to be known as a dog-worshipper. For this reputation I pay double taxes to the king of Persia. Then it so happened that this merchant’s son (vizier’s daughter) arrived there. It is due to him that I have now the honour of kissing Your Majesty’s feet.” I asked him, “Is this young man hot your son, then?” The Khwaja replied, “He is not my son, Your Majesty. He is one of your subjects but now he is my son, or heir, or whatever you like.” On hearing this I asked the young merchant, “Whose son are you? And where are your parents?” The young merchant kissed the ground before me and said, “This humble being is the daughter of Your Majesty’s vizier. He has fallen under the wrath of Your Majesty owing to his mention of the rubies that this Khwaja has sewn on his dog’s collar. Your Majesty’s orders were that if within one year my father was not proved right he would be put to death. On hearing this I disguised myself as a merchant’s son and went to Nishapur. God helped me bring the Khwaja here with his dog. Your Majesty has heard all that happened. Now I request that my aged father be released.”

  ‘On
these words of the vizier’s daughter the Khwaja heaved a deep sigh and collapsed. Rose-water was showered on him and when he regained consciousness he said, ”Bad luck to me! I undertook this long and hazardous journey in the hope that I would adopt the young merchant as my son and write a deed to make him master of all my wealth and property so that my name would live on in this world. But alas, now none of this will come true. A woman, as she is, she has ruined an old man like me. I was snared by her wiles. I feel like a man who performed the necessary rites and left his home to go on a pilgrimage but failed to reach his destination.’

  ‘In short, I took pity on the Khwaja, for his agony and lamentations were unbearable. I called him near me and whispered to him, “Don’t feel sad. I shall get you married to her. And if God wishes it so, you shall beget children and they will be your heirs.” I comforted him thus and ordered the vizier’s daughter to be conducted to the royal palace. I also ordered the vizier to be released from the prison and be brought before me dressed in the robe of honour and exaltation. When the vizier was conducted there, I went up to the far end of the floor to receive him as a mark of respect for his age. I embraced him and reinstated him as my vizier. On the Khwaja also I conferred a high office and gave him an estate. On an auspicious day I married him to the vizier’s daughter and in a few years he begot two sons and a daughter. The elder son is now the biggest merchant in my kingdom and the younger one is the Keeper of the Royal Palace.

  ‘O dervishes, I have related all this because I heard the life-stories of two of you last night. Now the other two of you may also please relate your life-stories. Please imagine yourself to be at the same place where you were last night. Take this place to be your abode and myself as your attendant. Please relate without fear and stay here for some time more.’

  When the two dervishes found the king so kind to them they said, ‘Well, since Your Majesty has been so kind to us, we will both relate our life-stories.’

  Adventures of the Third Dervish

  The third dervish made himself comfortable and said:

  ’Friends, this is the story of this humble being;

  This is, in fact, what happened to me; listen, please!

  What the King of Love has done to me,

  I relate it all; listen, please!

  ‘This humble being is the prince of Persia. My father, the king, had no other child. I passed my youth playing with my friends at dice and cards and draughts. Or else, I would ride and go out hunting. One day I got my hunting party ready and taking my friends with me rode over the plains. We let loose the falcons and hawks on partridges and fowls and rode quite far away till we reached a really delightful place. For miles together, as far as we could see, it was lush green and red flowers bloomed in profusion. We loosened the reins and cantered along enjoying the delightful sights. Suddenly we saw a black deer. It had a brocade covering on its back and a golden collar studded with jewels and golden bells round its neck. As there was no other animal or man there, it moved about grazing fearlessly. Hearing our horses’ hooves ring from afar, it became alert, lifted its head and began to move slowly. I wished to catch it alive. I said to my companions, ‘Stay here while I catch it. Please take care, do not come after me.’ My horse was very swift. I had chased many a deer riding on it and in spite of their leaps and jumps I had caught them. I put my horse after it. Seeing me chasing it, the deer began to run, taking long leaps; it ran like the wind itself. My horse also galloped fast but it could not keep pace with the deer. It was sweating. My throat too was parched with thirst. Dusk was fast setting in and I did not know how far I had gone or where I was. Finding no other alternative I tricked the deer. Taking an arrow from my quiver I adjusted it in my bow and aiming at its thighs I shot at it in the name of God. The arrow pierced its thigh, yet it limped away towards the foot of the mountains. I dismounted from my horse and chased it on foot. It took to the mountains and I followed. After passing over many slopes I saw a dome. When I arrived there I saw a garden and a spring but the deer had eluded me and disappeared. I was extremely tired. As I washed my hands and feet I heard lamenting cries from inside the dome: “O my child, may this sigh of mine dart and pierce through the heart of him who has struck you with this arrow. May he not taste the fruit of his youth; may God make him a mourner like me.” Hearing these words I went to the dome and found a well-dressed old man with a flowing white beard sitting against a cushion and the deer lying before him. He was extracting the arrow from its thigh and cursing the hunter. With respect I joined my hands together and said, “Respected sir, this crime has been unknowingly committed by this humble one. I did not know it was yours. For the sake of God, please forgive me.” He said, “You have hurt a dumb creature. If you have done it unknowingly, God will forgive you.” I sat down and helped him take out the arrow. Then we applied ointment on the wound and let the deer go. We washed our hands. The old man laid before me whatever eatables he had there. I ate some of them and, tired as I was, lay down on a bed and slept. I was awakened by a wailing sound. I got up and rubbing my eyes found there was neither the old man nor the deer. I was all alone on the bed in an empty room. Looking around in alarm I saw a screen suspended in a corner. I went to it and lifted it. There I saw a low table on which was seated a fairy-like girl, about fourteen years of age and dressed like a European. Her face, flanked by her hair that fell on either side, was like the moon. She was smiling and looked charming and graceful. The old man lay prostrate before her with his head on her feet, weeping bitterly and quite out of his senses. I felt sad to see him in that condition. Then I felt myself lost in the beauty and charm of the girl and fainted. I lay like a dead body on the floor. The old man showered some rose-water on my face. When I recovered, I went to greet the girl. She did not return my greetings, nor did she move her lips to say anything. I said, “O rose-like beauty, what religion will approve of so much pride that you do not even return my greetings:

  To be reserved in speech is graceful for a beauty, yes;

  But not much too much

  That even if the lover be dying,

  She would not move her lips!

  For the sake of God who has created you, pray say something. Only by chance I happen to be here. One should always be courteous to a visitor.” I talked to her but it was no use. Like a statue she sat there, silent. I touched her feet and found them quite hard. I realized then that all that she was formed out of was stone, as if Āzar the idol-maker had made her. I said to the old man, the idol-worshipper, “I struck an arrow into your deer’s leg but you have planted in my heart the dart of love. Your curse has worked. Now tell me why you cast this spell? Why do you live in the woods and mountains? Relate to me all that has happened to you.” When I pressed him much, he said, “Well, it has ruined me. Why do you want to invite your death by wishing to hear it?” I said, “No excuses old man. Come to the point; tell me all, otherwise I shall kill you!” On my persistence he said, “Young man, may God guard every one from the fire of love! It brings only pain and suffering. For love alone a woman commits sati, burns herself on her husband’s pyre. Everyone knows how this love ruined Farhad and Mujnun and brought their end. What will you gain by listening to my story? You will only leave your home and country, your property and wealth to wander about, getting nothing out of life.” I said, “Hold your tongue; no more words. Keep this feigned friendship to yourself. Take me as your enemy now and if you hold your life dear, plainly relate to me your story.” Realizing that there was no escape for him, with tearful eyes he said, “Well, here then is the story of this unfortunate being:

  Nu’mān the Merchant-Traveller

  “I am Nu’mān, a merchant-traveller. Consider my old age; I have been to all the parts of the world in connection with my business. I have also been received by many a king. One day I thought, ‘I have been to the four corners of the world but I have not visited the Island of Farang, nor yet seen its king, soldiers and citizens. I do not know their manners and customs. Once at least I must go there.’ So, a
fter consulting my friends, I decided to go there. I took with me rarities which would sell there, and formed a caravan of merchants. We boarded a ship and set sail. The wind was favourable and in a few months we reached Farang and chose a city to stay in. It was a city full of grandeur; no other city could match it. Every street and lane had well-built roads kept clean and sprinkled with water. Not a straw could be seen, much less any dirt or filth. The buildings were of various colours. At night the streets were lit by lamps arranged in rows on either side. The well-laid out gardens on the outskirts were full of fruits and flowers of rare species were in profusion. Such fruits and flowers could perhaps only be seen in the Garden of Eden. In short, enough cannot be said in praise of that city.

  “Our arrival there became the talk of the city. A chamberlain mounted on a horse and followed by his retinue came to our caravan and asked the merchants about their chief. They brought him to me. I received him with respect and we exchanged greetings. I offered him a seat on a rich carpet and cushions to lean against. Then I asked him the reason for his kind visit. He said, ‘Our princess has come to know that your merchants have rare merchandise to sell. She has asked me to take them to her. So, please come and bring with you the goods that you consider worthy of her, and thus have the honour to be in her audience.’ I said, ‘Please excuse me today for I am too tired. Tomorrow I shall present myself. I will lay before her whatever goods I have and she may take whatever she pleases. After making the appointment I presented him scents and betels and saw him off. I called all the merchants and collected from them whatever rarities they had. I took mine as well. Next morning, taking all that with me I reached the royal seraglio. The gate-keeper sent word of my arrival. He was ordered to conduct me in. The same chamberlain came and led me in with all courtesy and friendly discourse. First we went through the apartments of the private attendants of the princess. My dear friend, you won’t believe me but I saw there an astoundingly beautiful sight. The beautiful female attendants seemed to be fairies shorn of their wings. I would stare whenever I got a chance. I felt faint and with great difficulty I supported myself and reached the princess. As I glanced at her my limbs trembled and I almost collapsed. However, I managed myself and made a salutation. Beautiful women with their arms folded stood in rows on the right and left. I laid before the princess a variety of jewels and fine cloth and other rarities. She liked them as they lay before her arranged in so many trays. The things were then entrusted to the keeper of the royal house and she said to me, ‘These shall be paid for tomorrow as per your list.’ I bowed low in respect to her. I was much pleased with the thought that I would have another opportunity to go there the next day. When I came out after taking my leave, I kept mumbling incoherently. In this state I returned to the serai but was not yet my own self. My friends asked me much but I only said, ‘It’s all due to the heat and exertion of travelling so far.’ In short, I passed that night restlessly tossing about in my bed.