In Fariduddin Attar's 'Elahi Nameh', the tale of the man who came before Fadl Rabi' illustrates the virtues of extreme patience, empathy, and self-restraint. When a distressed and impoverished old man unknowingly rests his sharp staff on Fadl Rabi's foot, causing it to bleed, Fadl remains completely silent and attentive to the man's requests. He endures the physical pain without complaint so as not to embarrass or further distress the already vulnerable petitioner. This narrative emphasizes the Sufi ideal of putting the needs and dignity of others before one's own comfort, demonstrating true spiritual nobility and compassion.

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## Original content
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یکی پیری مشوش روزگاری 
بر فضل ربیع آمد بکاری
ز شرم وخجلت و درویشی خویش 
ز عجز و پیری و بی خویشی خویش
سنانی تیز بود اندر عصایش 
نهاد از بیخودی بر پشت پایش
روان شد خون ز پای فضل حالی 
برآمد سرخ و زرد آن صدر عالی
نزد دم تا سخن جمله بیان کرد 
بلطفی قصه زو بستد نشان کرد
چو پیر از پیش او خوش دل روان شد 
ز زخمش فضل آنجا ناتوان شد
بزرگی گفت آخر ای خداوند 
چرا بودی بدرد پای خرسند
یکی فرتوت پایت خسته کرده 
تو گشته مستمع لب بسته کرده
چو از پای تو آخر خون روان شد 
توان گفتن که از پس می توان شد
چنین گفت او که ترسیدم که آن پیر 
خجل گردد خورد زان کار تشویر
ز جرم خویشتن در قهر ماند 
ز حاجت خواستن بی بهر ماند
ز بار فقر چندان خواری او را 
روا نبود چنین سرباری او را
زهی مهر و وفا و بردباری 
وفاداری نگر گر چشم داری
چنین فضلی که صد فصل ربیعست 
ز فضل حق نه از فضل ربیعست
تو مردی ناجوانمردی شب و روز 
اگر مردی جوانمردی در آموز
مجوی ای خاک چون آتش بلندی 
چو توخاکی مشو آتش بتندی
اگر آن پیشگه می بایدت زود 
درین ره خاک ره می بایدت بود

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## English translation
A distressed old man of his time
Came to Fadl Rabi' for a matter.
Out of shame, embarrassment, and his own poverty,
Out of helplessness, old age, and his own distraction,
There was a sharp iron tip on his staff;
He absent-mindedly placed it on the top of his foot.
Blood immediately flowed from Fadl's foot;
That high dignitary turned red and yellow.
He did not utter a breath until he expressed his entire story;
With kindness, he accepted his petition and attended to it.
When the old man departed from him with a happy heart,
Fadl became incapacitated there from his wound.
A great man said, "Finally, O master,
Why were you content with the pain in your foot?
A decrepit old man wounded your foot,
And you became a listener, keeping your lips closed?
Since blood was finally flowing from your foot,
You could have said that it could be done later."
He said thus, "I feared that the old man
Would become ashamed and suffer distress from that act.
He would remain in distress over his own fault,
And he would remain deprived of asking for his need.
With so much abasement upon him from the burden of poverty,
Such an additional burden was not fitting for him."
Excellent is compassion, loyalty, and forbearance!
Behold loyalty, if you have eyes!
Such grace, which is a hundred spring seasons,
Is from the grace of God, not from Fadl Rabi'.
You are a man of unchivalry night and day;
If you are a man, learn chivalry.
O dust, do not seek height like fire!
Since you are dust, do not become fire in harshness.
If you desire that high station quickly,
On this path you must be the dust of the road.

(۱۷) حکایت آن مرد که پیش فضل ربیع آمد / (17) The Tale of That Man Who Came Before Fadl Rabi'

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