1. Abu Ayyoub said, what is this example?
A donkey that was in some ruins,

2. Headed to the pasture, and waded through mud,
And got stuck in it, helpless and constrained.

3. And whenever he tried to get out he sank deeper,
Like someone suffocating seeking salvation.

4. When he struggled in the trap and was agitated,
It tightened the noose and caused him harm.

5. So too is one who tries to find comfort,
Before the term of affliction ends,

6. His own scheming increases his affliction,
Because he contends against fate.

7. So he remained in the mud a whole month,
Grazing in that meadow scarcely anything.

8. Until he became like a well-fattened phoenix,
And returned in fat with a splendid appearance.

9. So that from what he got to eat there,
He would bray while sunk in the mud.

10. A lion happened to pass by there,
Who had been hunting hard for a while.

11. Hearing the voice he said, relief comes
To every distress, a way out.

12. And he followed the voice and found the mud,
With the donkey stuck in it, nice and fat.

13. He said, if I step in it I'll get stuck too,
And I don't have the strength for that.

14. I’ll die in a day rather than live
Since I don’t eat grass.

15. There is nothing for it but cunning and planning,
Not strength or deceit.

16. He said, greetings Abu Ziyad,
And with affection one tricks enemies.

17. I see you’ve been staying here for a while,
Settled in this place, lingering.

18. Abu Al-Harith, you’ve become in the morning
A king with widespread wings.

19. By God, I didn't choose to stay here out of flattery,
Words that didn't have sincerity.

20. Rather I'm tied down by the mud
In severe trouble and humiliation.

21. I hope you’ll save me
From my plight, and make me happy.

22. For if your nature holds cruelty,
And hatred and enmity are between us,

23. Then protect me, for you are a great king,
While I am an oppressed captive.

24. For the traits of nobility
Are mercy for the afflicted and ill,

25. And a condition of highness
Is kindness to the enemy in distress.

26. That is enough for you, O Great One,
That I seek refuge with you.

27. The lion said to him, you called me compassionately,
Great ones ward off great perils.

28. Rejoice, I will relieve your distress,
And defend you from the fangs of misfortune.

29. One like me wards off terrors,
From foes, and bears heavy burdens.

30. Especially from a miserable, despairing supplicant,
Who has despaired of life.

31. Minds have ruled that kindness
To friend and foe is pure.

32. One doesn't know when he'll be tested,
For he is hostage to his time.

33. Who is saved today is not saved tomorrow,
None are safe from pitfalls but the dead.

34. Who helps the miserable anguished one,
God aids him when he is afraid.

35. And he schemed and used his cunning,
And dammed the watercourse from above.

36. The water was cut off and the mud dried,
In a short time and the wretch rejoiced.

37. And during that time every day
He would come in the morning and at night,

38. With a huge bundle of fodder
For him to eat, saying “trust me and don't worry”.

39. The water dried up leaving just enough
To quench his thirst.

40. And the donkey kept praying for him,
Not knowing he was deceitful.

41. Until when the mud was dry on him,
And his body buried within it,

42. And he was captive, unable to move,
He hoped for deliverance, and the next day fell into the trap.

43. And the lion deliberately deprived him of food,
And cut off the grass, so he suffered.

44. And the lion came and said, “I tested you
With my strength, perhaps to save you”.

45. He said “Yes, do so, you are wise
And a counselor, as you say, compassionate”.

46. So he sank his claws in him,
And the lion rode off on him.

47. He battered him, and devoured him,
Oh what a cunning hunter was his father!

48. He only helped him in his difficulty,
And tamed him with kindness that time,

49. For himself. And so is the gazelle,
He charmed her with his kindness, damn him.

50. He said, what was her situation,
And how are we blind to the likes of it?