(Masnavi Book 2: 08) The peasant who stroked a lion in the dark

How a peasant stroked a lion in the dark, because he thought it was his ox.

A peasant tied an ox in the stable: a lion ate his ox and sat in its place.

The peasant went into the stable to (see) the ox: the man, groping into corners, was seeking the ox at night.

505. He was rubbing his hand on the limbs of the lion, back and side, now above, now below.

The lion said, “If the light were to become greater, his gall-bladder would burst and his heart would turn to blood. He is stroking me like this so boldly because in this (dark) night he thinks I am the ox.”

God is saying, “O blind dupe, did not Túr (Sinai) fall in pieces at My Name?

For if We had sent down (revealed) a Book to the mountain, it would have been riven asunder, then cut to pieces, and then it would have departed (disappeared).

510. If Mount Uhud had been acquainted with Me, blood would have gushed in jets from the mountain.” You have heard this from your father and mother; in consequence you have embraced it thoughtlessly.

If you become acquainted with Him without blind imitation, by (His) grace you will become immaterial, like a voice from Heaven.

Hear this (following) story as a deterrent, in order that you may know the banefulness of blind imitation.