Rumi: The Lion, The Wolf, The Fox

Rumi’s story "The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox" from his famous work *Masnavi* contains deep mystical and moral lessons that can be interpreted on mystical and practical levels: (1) Ego and Desire (2) The Power of Wisdom Over Deceit (3) Divine Wisdom (4) Karmic Consequences. Rumi’s story reminds us to rise above pettiness, ego-driven behavior, and dishonesty. The higher path is one of wisdom, humility, and patience, which leads to true success and spiritual alignment.

Transcript

The Lion Who Hunted with the Wolf and the Fox By Rumi A lion took a wolf and a fox with him on a hunting excursion,

And succeeded in catching a wild ox,

An ibex,

And a hare.

He then directed the wolf to divide the prey.

The wolf proposed to award the ox to the lion,

The ibex to himself,

And the hare to the fox.

The lion was enraged with the wolf because he had presumed to talk of I and thou and my share and thy share,

When it all belonged aright to the lion,

And he slew the wolf with one blow of his paw.

Then turning to the fox,

He ordered him to make the division.

The fox,

Rendered weary by the fate of the wolf,

Replied that the whole should be the portion of the lion.

The lion,

Pleased with his self-abnegation,

Gave it all to him,

Saying,

Thou art no longer a fox,

But myself.

Till man destroys self,

He is no true friend of God.

By Rumi Once a man came and knocked at the door of his friend.

His friend said,

Who art thou,

O faithful one?

He said,

Tis I.

He answered,

There is no admittance.

There is no room for the raw at my well-cooked feast.

Nought but fire of separation and absence can cook the raw one and free him from hypocrisy.

Since thy self has not yet left thee,

Thou must be burned in fiery flames.

The poor man went away,

And for one whole year journeyed,

Burning with grief for his friend's absence.

His heart burned till it was cooked.

Then he went again and drew near the house of his friend.

He knocked at the door in fear and trepidation,

Lest some careless word might fall from his lips.

His friend shouted,

Who is that at the door?

He answered,

Tis thou who art at the door,

O beloved.

The friend said,

Since tis I,

Let me come in.

There is not room for two eyes in one house.

Reviews

I had not heard either of those Rumi writings before. Thank you so much Carol!

The last tale really resonated with me...
WE work together toward the common goal ...
"I's" & "ME's" need not apply ✌🏿