Story of the man and the wolf حکایت مرد و گرگ
Story of the Man and the Wolf (حکایت مرد و گرگ) is from Chapter IX, On Penitence (در توبه و راه صواب) of Saadi’s Bustan (بوستان, “The Orchard”), written in 1257. The Persian verses are given with a rhymed English translation, couplet by couplet.
Bustan Saadi بوستان سعدی
| A man reared the cub of a wolf at his door; When reared, its protector in pieces it tore. On resigning his spirit he laid down his head; A man of experience passed him and said: | یکی بچه گرگ میپرورید چو پروده شد خواجه برهم درید چو بر پهلوی جان سپردن بخفت زبان آوری در سرش رفت و گفت |
| “If you nurture a foe with such delicate care, Don’t you know that, defenceless, his wounds you must bear? Has not Satan regarding us vented his spite? Saying, Wickedness only in these comes to light! ‘ | تو دشمن چنین نازنین پروری ندانی که ناچار زخمش خوری؟ نه ابلیس در حق ما طعنه زد کز اینان نیاید به جز کار بد؟ |
| Alas! for the evils that in us unite; I’m afraid the opinion of Satan is right! “ When our chastisement pleased the accursed one, then, The Lord, for our sakes, overthrew him again. | فغان از بدیها که در نفس ماست که ترسم شود ظن ابلیس راست چو ملعون پسند آمدش قهر ما خدایش بینداخت از به خرما |
| When shall I my head from this baseness release? For with God I’m at war and with Satan at peace! The friend rarely looks the direction of you, When yourself and the foe entertain the same view. | کجا سر برآریم از این عار و ننگ که با او بصلحیم و با حق به جنگ نظر دوست نادر کند سوی تو چو در روی دشمن بود روی تو |
| If a friend you require who will friendship repay, You should not an enemy’s order obey! The person approves of estrangement from friends, Who to share the same house with the foe condescends. | گرت دوست باید کز او بر خوری نباید که فرمان دشمن بری روا دارد از دوست بیگانگی که دشمن گزیند به همخانگی |
| ندانی که کمتر نهد دوست پای چو بیند که دشمن بود در سرای؟ | |
| How long with base coin will you buy at the mart, And cut from the friendship of Joseph your heart? | به سیم سیه تا چه خواهی خرید که خواهی دل از مهر یوسف برید؟ |
| A friend rarely places his foot, don’t you know? In the house where he sees that there dwelleth a foe. | تو از دوست گر عاقلی برمگرد که دشمن نیارد نگه در تو کرد |
Special Offers
← Previous storyAll Bustan storiesNext story →
More Saadi and Persian poetry: Persian poetry, the Persian poetry quiz and Persian proverbs.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "Story of the man and the wolf حکایت مرد و گرگ"?
No one replied yet.