In this allegory from Attar's Mosibat Nameh, a man inquires about the state of a frantic madman (divaneh). The madman replies that whichever way he turns upon the path, he fares worse, whether late or early. This brief encounter highlights the theme of spiritual bewilderment and the inescapable anguish of the mystic's journey, where no earthly direction or action brings relief from their inner turmoil and profound spiritual affliction.