STRAIGHTPATHMONTHLY December 2011
10
unearthly hour"? The man replied, "Woe be to you!
Open the door before I may turn insane and my bladder
may burst due to pursuit and due to what has befallen
me." The woman said, "Woe be to you! What has befallen
you"? He replied, "Two children have escaped from the
clutches of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, and he has announced
that whoever brings one of their heads to him, he shall
be rewarded one thousand Dirhams. While he shall give
two thousand dirhams for both their heads, and I have
borne pains (in pursuing them), while nothing has
reached my hands." The old woman said, "Fear the wrath
of the Holy Prophet on the day of Qiyamah." He replied,
"Woe be to you! This world should certainly be desired."
She said, "What will you do with this world when it is not
accompanied by the Hereafter"? The man answered, "Why
do you defend them such drastically as if you are aware
of their whereabouts. Come, so that I may take you to
the commander."
The woman said, "What work does the commander
have with me, an old woman, who lives in a corner of
the desert"? He said, "I am in their pursuit. Open the
door so that I may relax a bit and during morning I may
think what mode should I adopt to seek them." The
woman thus opened the door and brought food for him. He
ate and slept.
At midnight he heard the voices of snoring of the children
and advanced towards it like a wanton Camel. He started
howling like a Cow and hit his hands on the wall, until his hand
touched the side of the younger one. The child asked him as to