M4:3374 — گفت من بسیار می‌افتم برو / در گریوه و راه و در بازار و کو

This couplet initiates a dialogue between a mule and a camel, a classic Rumi device to explore deeper spiritual or ethical points through animal fables. Here, the mule is lamenting its frequent falls, painting a vivid picture of its struggles across different environments: the treacherous mountain pass (gareevah), the common road, the bustling market, and the public square (koo). This isn't just a physical complaint; it sets the stage for a deeper inquiry into why one being experiences such hardship while another, seemingly similar, does not. The mule's question in the subsequent couplets will probe the nature of their respective destinies or inner states, foreshadowing a lesson about the causes of spiritual stumbling and steadfastness.