M6:2511 — زد منادی هر که اندر پنج روز / آردم زانجا خبر بدهم کنوز

Translation: The herald proclaimed: "Whoever within five days Brings me tidings from that place, to them I shall give treasures (konūz)." Meaning: This verse describes a king's urgent proclamation, offering a great reward of treasures to anyone who can bring news from a distant location within a strict deadline of five days.

As I (Soroush) understand it, this verse places us squarely in the narrative realm of Rumi's storytelling. Here, the King of Termez—whom Rumi introduces as having a "wise jester" (maskhara-ye āgāh)—faces a crucial task in Samarqand, necessitating immediate intelligence. Thus, he dispatches a herald to proclaim: "Whoever, within the span of five days, brings me news from that distant Samarqand, I shall bestow upon them vast treasures (konūz)." This is no mere announcement; it is an urgent summons, entwined with a promise of immense reward, underscoring the extraordinary importance of the mission for the king. The verse dramatically combines urgency with the allure of a great prize, setting the stage for the story's protagonist, the jester. Upon hearing this call, the jester—with remarkable promptness and ultimate speed—sets out to reach the destination and return with the news, even to the extent of exhausting two mounts to their demise. This frantic action by the jester clearly illustrates the profound impact of the king's promise and the high value of the news he seeks.

Key takeaways

• A public proclamation of a great reward for an urgent mission.
• Emphasis on speed and urgency in carrying out important tasks.
• Illustrating the high value of news and information to the king.
• Providing a strong incentive for swift and sacrificial action.