reflected upon it and saw it as black, cracked earth; there was not a spot the size of a span where any creature could place his foot, nor any way for anyone to tread upon any part of it.

When we saw that and the King saw it, he smiled in our faces laughing and said: "I hold you both too high—after this long companionship and great trial—to have my affair with you turn into a joke, or to attribute you to ignorance, or for anything to happen that changes the intention of any of us, Allah forbid. Furthermore, reflect with your sight and your insight upon what I am about to do; perhaps what is harborer in your hearts will vanish."

Then he ordered that five elephants be brought down to it. That was done. He prodded them with iron until they were forced to enter. When the elephants entered and stood, the earth sank with them and swallowed them; we saw them no more.

When we saw that, we despaired of what we aimed for and intended to return from our purpose. While in that state, we were reflecting on the spot where the elephants vanished; what we witnessed of the earth’s speed in swallowing the elephants despite their great bodies was momentous in our souls, to the point that our eyes could not even follow them as they went. Our thoughts and cores vanished due to the magnitude of what we saw.

Suddenly, a trodden path dawned upon us; it was revealed and became clear, and the gloom and darkness vanished from it.

My Master said: "Do you not see what I see of this path that has been revealed, and the darkness and gloom that have vanished from it?"

I said: "I do indeed see that."

The King asked: "What are you two discussing?" We made known to him what we saw. He looked and reflected, then said: "By Allah, I see nothing of that."