M6:2542 — من شتابیدم بر تو بهر آن / تا بگویم که ندارم آن توان

Translation: I hastened to you for this very reason / to declare that I possess not that ability. Meaning: The jester, having rushed dramatically to the king, reveals his urgent message is simply to state his inability to fulfill a royal proclamation.

This verse is spoken by the jester in the story of the King of Termez, masterfully narrated by Rumi. The King had announced a proclamation: whoever could reach Samarkand in three days would be amply rewarded with treasures. Amidst this, the jester rushes to the royal court with much haste and commotion, filling everyone – from the king to the courtiers and the public outside – with fear and anticipation. Rumi, indeed, keeps us, like the king, thirsting for the jester's secret. What momentous message could possibly warrant such a stir?

Yet, instead of a grand revelation, the jester, with utmost simplicity and unpretentiousness, declares: “I hastened to you for this very reason / to declare that I possess not that ability.” He came quickly simply to say: “Excuse me, I cannot undertake this task. Such agility is not expected of one like me, so do not place this hope upon me.” This admission of incapacity, especially after such a dramatic build-up, is something Rumi portrays with striking artistry.

The King, in response to the jester's action, becomes enraged, exclaiming: “A curse upon your haste / for you have caused two hundred anxieties in the city!” He calls the jester a “simpleton” (khām-rīsh) and reprimands him for stirring up such a commotion for a meaningless, ludicrous statement, metaphorically saying, “You have set fire to this meadow and grass (marj o ḥashīsh),” meaning you have caused strife and thrown the city into disarray. Here, Rumi, in conjunction with the word ḥashīsh (meaning any plant), delves into the etymology of the word Hashashin* and subsequently “Assassin” in Latin languages, showcasing Rumi’s profound breadth of knowledge and how he uses a single word to unlock a world of meaning and history. This, for me, is characteristic of Rumi’s genius, turning a simple narrative detail into an expansive intellectual journey.

I find this episode profoundly instructive. Sometimes, the most important things to say are the simplest truths; truths about ourselves and our capacities. The jester knew that if he did not excuse himself from this mission, he would not only fail but perhaps fall into error. Thus, although outwardly a trivial act, it inherently carries a great lesson in sincerity and self-admission. It demonstrates that behind every commotion, there may be a small but fundamental truth hidden, requiring keen eyes and ears to uncover it.

Key takeaways

• Sincerity and the acceptance of one's limitations, however simple or trivial it may seem, is a great virtue.
• Sometimes, the most crucial message lies in the absence of news and the admission of incapacity.
• Within every commotion and haste, a fundamental and personal truth may be hidden.
• Judging the surface of matters can prevent us from grasping the depth and sincerity of a truth.