' How Could I Interrupt ? '...

The sheikh of the Halveti order in Istanbul,, Sunbul Efendi,, in looking for a successor,, sent his disciples forth to get flowers, to adorn the lodge... All of them returned with large bunches of lovely flowers; only one of them came back with a small,, withered plant... When asked why,, he did not bring anything worthy of his master,, he answered,, "I found all the flowers busy recollecting the Lord--how could I interrupt this constant prayer of theirs?.. I looked,, and one flower had finished its recollection.. That one, I brought." ...It was he, who became the next Sheikh. ......................Annemarie Schimmel as collected by James Fadiman & Robert Frager