M6:2541 — که کسی خواهم که تازد در سه روز / تا سمرقند و دهم او را کنوز

Translation: I desire someone who can gallop to Samarkand in three days, and I shall give him treasures. Meaning: This verse states a king's proclamation, seeking an exceptionally swift rider capable of reaching Samarkand in three days, promising immense treasures as reward.

This verse, which notably is absent in some versions of the Masnavi, is embedded in a story where Rumi masterfully builds collective anticipation and anxiety. A jester, having thrown the court and the city into turmoil, keeps everyone, from the king to the people outside the palace, in a state of dread and eagerness, awaiting the revelation of his own distress. Rumi guides us step-by-step with this jester, bringing us to the peak of curiosity and apprehension.

The beyt itself conveys the content of a proclamation made by the king of Termez throughout the city: "I desire someone who can gallop to Samarkand in three days, and I shall give him treasures." However, the truth is that the jester has caused all this commotion not for an urgent report, but merely to declare his own inability. He heard of this proclamation and rushed to state: "I hastened to you for this reason / To tell you that I do not possess that ability." In essence, I wanted to tell you that I lack this skill, and I ask to be excused.

I understand this event as Rumi pointing to a paradoxical situation: sometimes, a 'news' that appears monumental and widespread actually originates from a purely personal, even trivial, matter. The fear and turmoil that engulf a city ultimately arise from the jester's "brief, meaningless, absurd remark," for which he is called a "khām-rīsh" (fool). This accurately shows us how a misunderstanding or a disproportionate personal reaction can be like "setting fire to the pasture and herbs" (a metaphor for sedition and chaos), and to what extent many human anxieties and worries stem from incorrect interpretations of reality or the exaggeration of minor issues. Rumi here teaches us a profound psychological and social lesson in the form of a humorous anecdote: often, what disrupts the world is not a great truth, but a small error in our understanding and reaction.

Key takeaways

• Rumi demonstrates his storytelling prowess by building dramatic suspense and climax through this narrative.
• A major commotion can have its roots in a deeply personal and trivial matter.
• The verse quotes the king's proclamation, but its significance lies in the jester's unexpected and ironic reaction.
• Rumi teaches the reader how a seemingly important 'news' can sometimes be a cover for a personal 'truth'.
• The jester's tale illustrates that some anxieties and turmoils result from exaggerating minor issues or misunderstandings.