Dog Tale.

[Guest guest]

Maulana Dervish, chief of the Naqshbandi Order and one of its greatest

teachers, was sitting one day in his Zavia when a furious cleric forced

his way in.

'You sit there,' shouted the intruder, `dog that you are, surrounded

by disciples, obeyed by them in every particular ! I,on the other hand,

call men to strive towards divine mercy through prayer and austerities

as is enjoined upon us.'

At the word `dog', several of the Seekers rose to eject the fanatic.

`Stay,' said the Maulana, for "dog", is indeed a good word. I am a

dog, who obeys his master, showing the sheep by signs the interpretation

of our master's desires. Like a dog I infuriate the interloper and the

thief.

And I wag my tail in pleasure when my master's friends come near.

`just as barking and wagging and love are attributes of the dog, we

exercise them; for our Master has us, and does not do his own barking and

wagging.'