God’s Fool

Once there came from the desert to the great city of Sharia a man who

was a dreamer, and he had naught but his garment and a staff.

And as he walked through the streets he gazed with awe and wonder at the

temples and towers and palaces, for the city of Sharia was of surpassing

beauty. And he spoke often to the passersby, questioning them about

their city--but they understood not his language, nor he their language.

At the noon hour he stopped before a vast inn. It was built of yellow

marble, and people were going in and coming out unhindered.

“This must be a shrine,” he said to himself, and he too went in. But

what was his surprise to find himself in a hall of great splendour and

a large company of men and women seated about many tables. They were

eating and drinking and listening to the musicians.

“Nay,” said the dreamer. “This is no worshipping. It must be a feast

given by the prince to the people, in celebration of a great event.”

At that moment a man, whom he took to be the slave of the prince,

approached him, and bade him be seated. And he was served with meat and

wine and most excellent sweets.

When he was satisfied, the dreamer rose to depart. At the door he was

stopped by a large man magnificently arrayed.

“Surely this is the prince himself,” said the dreamer in his heart, and

he bowed to him and thanked him.

Then the large man said in the language of the city:

“Sir, you have not paid for your dinner.” And the dreamer did not

understand, and again thanked him heartily. Then the large man bethought

him, and he looked more closely upon the dreamer. And he saw that he was

a stranger, clad in but a poor garment, and that indeed he had not

wherewith to pay for his meal. Then the large man clapped his hands and

called--and there came four watchmen of the city. And they listened to

the large man. Then they took the dreamer between them, and they were

two on each side of him. And the dreamer noted the ceremoniousness of

their dress and of their manner and he looked upon them with delight.

“These,” said he, “are men of distinction.”

And they walked all together until they came to the House of Judgment

and they entered.

The dreamer saw before him, seated upon a throne, a venerable man with

flowing beard, robed majestically. And he thought he was the king. And

he rejoiced to be brought before him.

Now the watchmen related to the judge, who was the venerable man, the

charge against the dreamer; and the judge appointed two advocates, one

to present the charge and the other to defend the stranger. And the

advocates rose, the one after the other, and delivered each his

argument. And the dreamer thought himself to be listening to addresses

of welcome, and his heart filled with gratitude to the king and the

prince for all that was done for him.

Then sentence was passed upon the dreamer, that upon a tablet hung about

his neck his crime should be written, and that he should ride through

the city on a naked horse, with a trumpeter and a drummer before him.

And the sentence was carried out forthwith.

Now as the dreamer rode through the city upon the naked horse, with the

trumpeter and the drummer before him, the inhabitants of the city came

running forth at the sound of the noise, and when they saw him they

laughed one and all, and the children ran after him in companies from

street to street. And the dreamer’s heart was filled with ecstasy, and

his eyes shone upon them. For to him the tablet was a sign of the king’s

blessing and the procession was in his honour.

Now as he rode, he saw among the crowd a man who was from the desert

like himself and his heart swelled with joy, and he cried out to him

with a shout:

“Friend! Friend! Where are we? What city of the heart’s desire is this?

What race of lavish hosts?--who feast the chance guest in their palaces,

whose princes companion him, whose king hangs a token upon his breast

and opens to him the hospitality of a city descended from heaven.”

And he who was also of the desert replied not. He only smiled and

slightly shook his head. And the procession passed on.

And the dreamer’s face was uplifted and his eyes were overflowing with

light.