The Dehkhoda S3:E5 A Story About Sharing

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

A rich Spaniard, riding about one day,
Was paying no attention to his way,
He circled for home, but then before,
he saw a young boy, on the river’s shore.
the lad scowled at his empty hook,
the Spaniard alit with a kindly look,
they sat together, he and the forlorn child
looked the boy in the eye and then he smiled.
“You are the most melancholy niño I’ve ever seen,”
the Spaniard said. “What does your sad face mean?”
‘Nuestro padre gone; for siete children I –
must fish all day” the pescar lad lent reply.
“Mi madre es ill and we are poor;
It is for fish I frequent this shore –
I fish here from the morning’s light,
until I fear the dark and dreary night.
I catch very few fish and my fingers pain,
I must fish in all weather, hot sun or rain.”
The Spaniard said: “Can I fish, will you agree?”
The lad nodded and, then almost immediately,
From his saddle bag the man did deliver,
hook and line, casting it far, into the river.
Together they caught ciento cincuenta fish.
“This wealth is far beyond my wildest wish,”
the boy said. ‘A splendid haul,’ the Man replied.
Good Fortune has been busy at your side –
Accept your luck, don’t try to comprehend
How this has happened; you’d be lost, my friend.
Your wealth is greater than my own; today
A King has fished for you — I cannot stay.’
He leapt onto his horse. ‘But take your share,’
The boy said earnestly. ‘That’s only fair.’
‘Tomorrow’s catch is mine. We won’t divide
Today’s; you have it all,’ the King replied.
‘Tomorrow when I fish you are the prey,
A fine trophy I refuse to give away.’
The next day, walking in his pastoral shade,
The King recalled the friend that he had made.
A apostle fetched the boy, and this unknown
was, at the king’s command set on his throne.
The apostles murmured at his poverty –
“He is my friend, this fact suffices me;
He is my equal here in everything
The partner of my throne,” declared the King;
To every taunt the boy had one reply:
‘My sadness vanished when My King passed by.’

END OF POSTS ABOUT THE DEHKHODA; Thank you for reading.

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The Dehkhoda S3:E4 The Dehkhoda Teaches Them About “Understanding”

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

Dehkhoda offered: “A wise man once told me,
that through understanding you will begin to see,
a deeper love for the other, that will bring,
wisdom and friendship that no wealthy king –
will ever have, only humbleness and prayer,
see the other with his eyes – with heartfelt care;
if with the other, you need to pray;
do whatever you can to see his way.
Listen to his case, you own opinions cease,
in this way your understanding will increase,
in doing this, his thoughts will be drawn,
and your misjudging the other will be gone,
then he will accept you, and you both will know,
that you accept him – only then – will love grow.”

Next Post;    S3:E5      A Story About Sharing

The Dehkhoda S3:E3 The Pilgrims ask the Dehkhoda to Resolve their Doubts

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The trembling questers stared out across the plain;
The grass seemed as endless, endless; as their pain.
But in the Dehkhoda’s heart self-confidence,
certified him to speak to this unique conference –
their worry did not alarm him nor the high –
flock of circling buzzards in the bright sky.
What other wagon train leader could bear,
The worrisome difficulties; all in his care?
The anxious pilgrims appealed to the guide,
“You must get us to our goal.” they cried,
“We have no leader, we have no king –
you appear to know most everything,
you have crossed this prairie; therefore you know,
whether to the north or south or straight we go;
you have seen bears and buffalo along the way,
we will follow your lead, anywhere you say,
lead us safely to those far lands we seek,
as we are unexperienced; our spirits weak,
give us courage, enlighten our hearts,
before this wagon train, again departs,
your courage is not the thing we doubt,
it is the unknown that this is about,
daylight is disappearing, soon there will be no light,
help us through uncertainty, it is our dark night;
give us directions and we will commit –
our sinew and muscle, all we have, to it.”
The Dehkhoda spoke, and the pilgrim herds,
considered each and every one of his words;
all of them gathered to understand his mind,
gathered by nations, clarifying for their kind.
The German and the Frenchman voiced complaint,
their crowds grew smaller, their words grew faint –
the crowds applauded the Dehkhoda; an opportune state,
where neither fear nor anarchy – could easily predominate.
As the Dehkhoda spoke; he verbally drew,
a great path forward; undoubtedly true.
One asked: “How is it that you surpass us in –
this quest, requiring courage; what is our sin? –
we are alone and so are you — but you receive –
courage and heart, while we can only grieve.”

Next Post;    S3:E4   The Dehkhoda Teaches Them About “Understanding”

The Dehkhoda S3:E2 The Pilgrims Fear the Emptiness of the Prairieland; The Dehkhoda tells them about Sacagawea

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The Dehkhoda had been given leadership; renowned –
the pilgrims (with great reverence) had gathered round,
hundreds convened then; right there,
breathing in the healthy prairie air.
however, upon hearing their first loon,
someone emitted a wail; ‘certain doom’,
dread spread among them as they feared,
the barrenness that had appeared,
not unlike a herd of buffalo; a clustered crowd,
formed a protective circle as they cried aloud,
it would break your heart; this apprehensive song –
their fears countless – away from home too long,
an incalculable distance before their eyes,
nothing familiar that they would recognize,
only emptiness had greeted them where,
they thought in fear of unknown; despair,
“The impending trip is lifeless, empty — why?”
to which Dehkhoda gave this rather odd reply:
“This story about a queen – not a king –
it is a history of this emptiness – I bring.”

——– One moonlit night,
Sacagawea was attracted by a sight,
which appeared so clearly as if it were day,
over rivers and swamps she made her way,
found herself on a cliff where she saw more,
incalculable empty space than she hoped for,
she dared walk no farther – clearly aware,
she would then fall to her death, in despair.
Sacagawea stared out at that great immensity,
knowing that to widely roam was her propensity,
a call for help, ——– “Great Spirit,” she cried,
“Your verdant palace summons me far and wide –
where are the white men who should be taught? –
there is not one to be found; I feel distraught.”
A voice called out “You must admit,
that these white men may not be fit,
to hear the hooting and howls through the night,
they may not last; darkness ‘til dawn’s bright light,
You must show them the way through your home,
along the rivers and mountains; their new throne.”

Next Post;    S3:E3     The Pilgrims ask the Dehkhoda to Resolve their Doubts

The Dehkhoda S3:E1 The Pilgrims Reaffirm Their Leader

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The immigrant’s hearts were all afire,
to travel forward, their deep desire,
the lectures of the Dehkhoda had given them heart;
however, some remained reluctant from the start.
They argued amongst themselves; indeed –
“We must settle this.” they finally agreed.
The worriers said, “Who can guide us, who –
is able to deliver us to our dreams so true?
Those who were sure of Dehkhoda’s ability,
said “Dehkhoda guides us well, as you can see,
whatever he has advised along the way,
he has done well so far – this we say.
Over these grassy plains our daily ride –
has been sure and even, no need to hide,
Dehkhoda finds us a place to rest in the shade,
his advice has been excellent and we obeyed.”
Other names were raised, who could they trust?
They decided a vote would be proper and just,
a winning lottery must be the final decide –
which immigrant should be their guide.
They gathered to discuss, animosity aside,
a vote was taken, the Dehkhoda won,
they were bound together – everyone.
They agreed to follow him and would sacrifice,
themselves as a group – if that was the price;
the wagon train moved forward on these words,
and that finally settled the immigrant herds.

 

Next Post;    S3:E2       The Pilgrims Fear the Emptiness of the Prairieland;
The Dehkhoda tells them about Sacagawea

The Dehkhoda S2:E14 (Part 13) THE END of the Story; “Crow Chief”

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

The old Crow Chief, dejected and weary, in a dark forest, with fog so dreary
cross-legged and contemplating if the apparition was simply lore,
thoughtfully he sat – almost napping, owl’s wings in branches flapping,
the morning sun – night unwrapping, bringing mountains to the fore.
“It is time for the apparition” he uttered, “Appear now – damn it” he swore,
“Only this I ask, and nothing more.”

As he sat watching a dying ember, nowhere near a Crow tribe member,
Chief every day growing more slender, something appeared above the lake’s floor,
walking straighter than an arrow, on the watery path so narrow,
simulacrum of the spirit Song Sparrow, Chief had found his lost Apparition,
with the singular resplendent cognition, whom the angels named Jesus, 
the Son who is androgenesis, this and SOMETHING MORE.

And the quivering of the hemlock’s purple curtain, made the chief suddenly certain,
delighted Chief, filled him with hope he felt before;
He sat there – heart beating, those joyful words repeating,
“This Spiritual Visitor is greeting, this old chief at death’s door.
This morning Visitor is completing, the wish that I had hoped for;
This it is, and nothing more.”

Now the Chief grew stronger; and fearful was he no longer,
“Spirit!” spoke the Chief, “or Prophet, your mercy I implore;
The lake’s waves were slapping, and you have caught me napping,
not so faintly waves came slapping, slapping at the lake’s shore,
many nights I waited for you, waiting at my teepee’s door;
You not there — not there — and nothing more.”

“For many moons peering, long I sat cross legged; fearing,
never doubting, facing accusations, no Crow Chief was accused of before;
my belief in You was unbroken, and my Crow braves gave no token,
harsh words have been spoken, it was said that you were only lore,
but in You I cried out, ‘I believe’ the echoes cried ‘I believe’,
only that, and nothing more.”

“On me all the Crows were turning, with hatred for me burning,
my only friends were these waves slapping somewhat louder than before.
‘Surely,’ I cried, ‘surely there is something beyond the hemlock lattice;’
let me see it then, and what there at is, and Your Mystery explore,
allow my Crow people to believe and Your Mystery adore;
allow them to believe and nothing more!”

“Let them clean out disbelief and clutter, allow their hearts to flutter,
may the Badland Spirits; evil beliefs – of the ages so long before;
never again a Wolf Spirit be; may my Crow People clearly see,
when I tell the truth of You, walking above the lake’s watery floor,
as they sit, in a truth-circle, outside my teepee’s door
believing – and sitting – nothing more.”

Then the Crow Braves now beguiling, changed his sad face into smiling,
the old Crow Chief could not hide the happy countenance he wore,
the Crow Braves no longer craven, in the Lake Walker found a haven,
grim and ancient spirits forsaken, left to wander on forgotten shore,
what, additionally, could the old Crow Chief have asked for? –
only that; and nothing more.

 

THE END OF THE CROW CHIEF SERIES

 

Next Post;    S3:E1       The Pilgrims Reaffirm Their Leader

The Dehkhoda S2:E13 (Part 12) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

Old Crow Chief had chosen his path – drank the wine,
while the crow braves saw his spiritual beliefs decline,
deeply dejected -sadly – they trekked back home,
while allowing their crow chief’s theology to roam.
in the badlands they hid, of the apparition afraid,
believing that the Old Crow Chief had strayed,
after some months they desired rest,
thinking that this apparition was a test,
was this apparition imagined gratefully –
or did the chief believe in it faithfully?
“What should we believe in?” asked they
has our Old Crow Chief has led us astray?”
they smote themselves and cut their hair,
all crying and moaning in great despair;
while wrapping themselves in buffalo cloak,
and sat in a circle, a truth-pipe to smoke,
“How could he abandon the spirits – all three” –
Great White Bear, Peaceful Fawn, Eagle Free –
for this apparition that walked on the lake –
abandoned our ancient spirits for the sake –
of the apparition who appeared quite pale? –
believing in this new spirit will surely fail.”

 

Next Post;    S2:E14     (Part 13) THE END of the Story; “Crow Chief” 

The Dehkhoda S2:E12 (Part 11) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

One brave replied: “Your spirits are poor, and I –
do not accept this apparition – who sits so high;
who appears to you, righteous and innocent –
you have created your own predicament.
I truly wish that if I could accept and take.
for myself this apparition who walks the lake,
however chief, you left us, sad and alone;
why to this lake-walker, have you flown?”
The chief responded; “Fine brave, understand now –
to an exceptional apparition I have given my vow,
when it walked on the water with a divine gait,
it was then, only then, that I decided my fate.
Your harsh rejection will return to haunt you
earth, stars and seasons bring all things anew,
is it impossible to have a new spirit for everyone?
this is a bitter argument, what, here, is to be won?
You act as if my apparition is a spiritual crime,
to me, he who walks on lakes, is clearly sublime,
you and the other braves have departed me – gone,
if only, it was you that the apparition fell upon.
He watches us – you – the other – and I,
it is eerie to know this, you may wish to fly;
however, if you believe – it avoids hell,
the tortures of which I wish not to tell.”
Finally, these pleadings reached the braves heart,
“Oh chief, you are one who knows your own part,”
they said, “But avoid the apparition for a year,
and, we can follow the apparition without fear.”
The Old Crow Chief did not refuse, they found a way,
to accept each other’s beliefs, while continuing to obey,
the callings of the White Bear Spirit while not –
scheming and conniving a horrible theocide plot.
Dear reader, do not imagine the chief would fall;
this is a universal story, which lurks in us all,
rearing its degrading head when we begin,
to avoid recovery’s path — if you think sin –
has a place in your nature, you will not stay
content with others; you are not on the way –
to start our journey – with us – you will find,
that fear is an imaginary joke on the mind –
avoid becoming fearful and then a new you,
will replace the terrified one you once knew,
apprehensive thought is a worry some plight,
it swallows the achievable benefits from sight –
while making mountains of molehills – in your head.
Once more, the Crow Braves returned and said;
‘We leave for our Sacred grounds, but our hearts ache –
to Great White Bear, do you wish us, a message to take?
Should we tell Great White Bear, the apparition you embrace?
Of this, he would surely think of you – as an incredible disgrace.
How, as a great Crow Chief, are we to think of you?
Converted leadership – are we to see the apparition too?
How to face this inconsistency -we –
are seriously considering too flee,
are you so lost in apparitions and prayer? –
for our sacred ground you no longer care?”
The Crow Chief replied: ‘You break my heart! –
Do what you must – run away – flee -depart;
I know that the apparition keeps me alive,
it is now the only way that I am to survive.
There is no way that you could possibly know –
following the path of the apparition, I must go.
When I hear you will leave me it causes pain,
it appears you like saying it – again and again,
you surely know better than foe or than anyone –
that to follow the apparition what must be done –
therefore – until your return I will wait
surrounded by my beliefs and fate.
You must look at the story – whole,
before you can master self-control,
logic and belief are separated by a hair,
that is why humankind falls in despair.
If you believe in something strange, then say
“What two humans believe in the same way?”
In your beliefs you should remain secure,
and leave the vacillations to those unsure.

Next Post;    S2:E13     (Part 12) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

The Dehkhoda S2:E11 (Part 10) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

This understanding of the apparition, only Chief could see,
it was not something the braves understood instinctively –
he wore no holy beads around his neck,
and surely was not an ascetic wreck,
still, they asked; “What do you want, old man? –
old hypocrite of understanding, but only can –
speak of the apparition, but we declare –
will he not show himself, not even a hair,
we are confused, and you must agree –
hating the apparition is blasphemy.
How are we to follow him, like you say?
this has never been the Crow tribe’s way.”
The crow braves were near a waring state,
strife, internally, was that to be their fate?
Of this apparition, they were growing afraid,
and quite concerned that it must be obeyed –
ancient blood still flowed in the old chief’s veins,
surely, these ancestors had conveyed their brains,
was the chief’s body and head to old,
had his reasoning and logic grown cold?
Within each brave the question cried;
“We are confused, old chief, you decide –
is this apparition pure idolatry? –
point the correct direction for me.
On the funeral pyre I would gladly burn,
if this apparition does not love and learn,
that each of understands spirits quite well,
why must we find new meanings that dwell –
must we abandon good fortune and make –
new amulets, for this apparition’s sake?”
They followed the old chief to a Christian mission,
where the old chief made a good act of contrition,
they hid around corners, not showing their face,
afraid of what may happen in this dreadful place –
they possessed their own natural spirits and belief,
the old chief’s actions brought shame and grief.
They said: “This apparition has well betrayed;
all crow brave’s spirits and of the old chief made –
a fool – the unbearable deed has been done,
he has offended the spirits of moon and sun.”
(How many religions must mankind invent –
before we get God’s approval and assent?)
“I now belong to the apparition” chief said,
“Whatever becomes of you is on my head,
I have eaten the host and tasted the wine;
I have accepted the holy apparition as mine!
You may disavow me, forget me, in disgrace,
however, I am not ashamed, will not lose face.
Over the years I defied the desert and dusty road,
and paddled my canoe where raging river flowed,
you all paddled behind me, stroke by stroke,
wearing eagle’s feathers and beaver’s cloak;
and accepted my hunting skills as a great sign,
that I could bring your people food, so divine.
Respect, for only my sake, what this chief has done –
how can you tell me – that we can not be – as one?
Why do you abandon me, and cause me pain;
have I shepherded and guided you in vain?”

Next Post;    S2:E12     (Part 11) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

The Dehkhoda S2:E10 (Part 9) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition

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apparitions, Arabic Culture, Attar of Nishapur, Attar the Pharmacist, Conference of the Birds, Dehkhoda, Persia, philosophy, Quests, Settling the West, Sufiism, The Crows, Thirty Birds

A brave laughed; “Old chief, take my advice –
believing in the apparition is not paradise.
Ask yourself, is the apparition warm or cold?
How could you answer?; you are beyond old.
Possibly it was a bia*-dream – when you might –
wrestle with pretty sprites throughout the night?”

* Crow word for woman (replaces derogatory ‘squaw’)

The chief answered him; ‘Enough of that lie!
You curse the apparition – and will surely die –
from a fearful foe’s spear or arrowed dart,
before that – I beg – take the apparition to heart.
The brave replied: ‘Before I do that, I must –
somehow see the apparition before I can trust –
him to protect me, I must see – with my own eye,
that the apparition responds with an assured reply.”
The chief said: “I think that for you –
the apparition would never quite do.”
The brave answered: “I agree to no spirit’s commands,
if I must conquer a foe, I will do so with my own hands,
surely your apparition does not help me or care
your promises and creations are only thin air.”
Chief returned; “I know it is difficult for you to obey –
what I have dreamed of the apparition – what I say,
how deeply with the apparition I am now entwined –
if you could see what I saw you would be resigned!”
The brave smiled; “I know that I would be allowed –
if only I could see him – I would not be so unbowed,
it would be noble, when going into battle, to be unafraid,
or with the peace-pipe, have lasting agreements made”
With that they passed a peace-pipe around,
spoke no more words, listed to the sound
of the owl’s hoots, fox’s cry, in distant lands,
chief was silent – made no more commands,
when the pipe became cold, he filled the bowl,
they smoked the pipe, shared each other’s soul.
The night sky lit with faraway stars – seemed –
to bring others – the apparition chief dreamed.
Appetite renewed their thirst, then they ate,
buffalo stew of pemmican, their favorite fete,
Eating with their chief gave the braves heart,
thy honored him – then agreed to depart –
his presence but not to abandon him,
as the evening grew short, sunlight dim,
chief understood their concerns when he was alone,
he was not confused his love of apparition had grown.

Next Post;    S2:E11     (Part 10) The Story of the Crow Chief and the Apparition