قالَ اسمُه مُفَضَّلُ

وفضلُه كَبيرُ

He said, “His name is Mufaddal,

and great is his merit.”

قلتُ على مَن فَضًَّلو

كَ أيها الخَبيرُ

I said, “Over whom is he preferred?

Tell me, O knowledgeable one.”

قال على حَميرِهِم

فاحتَجًَّتِ الحَميرُ

He said, “Over their donkeys.”

So the donkeys protested.