The Cadi Tells of the Turk and the Tailor
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 6, section 51 of 137: The Cadi's answer to the questions of the Súfí, and how he adduced the Story of the Turk and the Tailor as a parable (جواب قاضی سال صوفی را و قصه‌ی ترک و درزی را مثل آوردن). Below, each of its 6 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
The Cadi’s answer to the questions of the Súfí, and how he adduced the Story of the Turk and the Tailor as a parable. جواب قاضی سال صوفی را و قصه‌ی ترک و درزی را مثل آوردن
گفت قاضی بس تهی‌رو صوفیی خالی از فطنت چو کاف کوفیی
The Cadi said, “You are a very idle vagabond Súfí: you are devoid of intelligence, (you are) like the Kúfic káf.
تو بنشنیدی که آن پر قند لب غدر خیاطان همی‌گفتی به شب
Haven’t you heard that a certain sugar-lipped (story-teller) used to tell at nightfall of the perfidy of tailors,
خلق را در دزدی آن طایفه می‌نمود افسانه‌های سالفه
Setting forth to the people old stories concerning the thievery of that class (of men)?
قصه‌ی پاره‌ربایی در برین می حکایت کرد او با آن و این
To that one and this one he would relate tales of their snatching (stealing) pieces of cloth while cutting it,
در سمر می‌خواند دزدی‌نامه‌ای گرد او جمع آمده هنگامه‌ای
And during the night-talk he would read aloud a book on (the tricks of) tailors, when a throng had gathered round him.
مستمع چون یافت جاذب زان وفود جمله اجزااش حکایت گشته بود
Since he found eager listeners among those who came (to hear him), all parts of him had become the story (that he was telling).
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 6 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
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: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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 "The Cadi Tells of the Turk and the Tailor"?
No one replied yet.