Peacock,
By Rumi.
A physician was taking a walk one day in the lush meadows behind his home,
Where he spotted a beautiful male peacock in the distance.
Curious to see the peacock up close,
He carefully made his way toward the bird,
Squinting his eyes to focus better and make sure he wasn't mistaken.
The man saw the bird was cruelly pulling out his sublime feathers with his beak and spitting them as far away from himself as he could.
The man was perplexed and decided to investigate.
So slowly he approached the bird.
Hello,
Heavenly creature.
What are you doing pulling out those exquisite feathers of yours?
He asked softly.
Keeping his voice low but unable to hide his concern,
How can you accept in your heart to destroy such beauty?
Your feathers are admired around the world.
Those who memorize the Koran use them as bookmarks,
And noblemen use them to fan themselves in hot weather.
Are you aware of who it was that created your unrivaled glory?
How can you throw away God's gift so ungraciously?
Get away from me,
Exclaimed the peacock,
Clearly annoyed.
You're still distracted by my superficial beauty.
Can't you see that it's because of these feathers that I've had to bear so much pain?
Every time I turn around,
There's a hunter stalking me.
I can't protect myself from harm.
I'm too large in size,
But truly I'm quite weak.
If I can't repel danger,
Then I may as well make myself look unseemly as possible.
I want to be able to roam anywhere I choose peacefully and without fear.
These feathers are the cause of my egotism.
They brought me much unnecessary harm.
It's time for me to be rid of all such ornaments.
If anyone can understand,
It's God.
The peacock resumed plucking the remaining feathers,
Ignoring the man,
Who continued to stand by watching in silence as his tears flowed uncontrollably.
