' A pail of pearls '...

I noticed an Arab of the desert sitting in a company of jewelers.

He
said: "I had once lost my road in the desert and consumed all my food.

I considered that I must perish when I suddenly caught sight of a
bulging canvas bag.

I shall never forget the joy and ecstasy I felt on
thinking it might be parched grain nor the bitterness and despair when
I discovered it to be full of pearls."


Sa'di
as collected by James Fadiman & Robert Frager