Shaharzaad further said - "There lived a Sheikh in a village. He had a long standing and fair understanding. He had lots of animals, males and females, on his farm. He had them for breeding and eating their eggs and their chickens. Amongst his roosters there was an old rooster of wit who had long fought with his fortune and thus became wise in worldly matters. It so happened one day that this old rooster went to wander the farm land, picking up something to eat on his way, such as grains of wheat, barley, sesame etc. But as he was wandering carelessly, he left his place a lot behind and came forward not thinking what he was doing. Suddenly he found himself in the wilderness.

He turned to his right, to his left, to his back but could not find anything which was his friend or was familiar to him. He just stood there not knowing what to do. He was just thinking that what he should do that he saw a fox coming to him. He feared and trembled at seeing him. He saw a high wall beside him so he flew immediately and perched on it. His enemy could not reach there.

Presently the fox came there at the foot of the wall, and found that he could not climb it, he looked upward and said to the rooster - "Peace be with you, You are a very good friend and brother." But the rooster would not turn to him, nor reply to him. The fox again said - "What is this brother that you are not replying even to my greetings, nor you are talking to me?" Still the rooster did not reply. The fox again said - "Don't you remember that once you counseled me intelligently? And you embraced me and kissed me on my mouth?" Still the rooster ignored him.

The fox again spoke - "O my brother, The King of Beasts, that is Lion; and the King of the Birds, which is the Eagle, have come from a journey to the meadows where grass is growing, water is flowing and flowers are blossoming. Animals in pairs and many kinds of birds are wandering here and there. These two have established peace and security, honor and sympathy there among all beasts and birds. And if somebody should injure other, he will be punished to death. They have ordered everybody to eat at one place and living in affection and intimacy. They have commissioned me to roam around to proclaim that all must assemble together, and if somebody will disobey, he will not escape punishment, so you can come down safely and you need not to fear."

Even after hearing all this, the rooster did not pay any attention to him, as though he had never heard this news. He just remained silent and continued to look far. Now the fox got impatient, in fact he wanted to seize the rooster, so he asked him - "Why are you not acknowledging me by replying me, rather you are turning your face away from me who is the messenger sent by the Lion and the Eagle. I fear for you, if you will refuse to come with me, then all those animal and birds who are gathered in the meadow will criticize you." When the rooster did not reply even to this, the fox said - "If you are not coming with me at least let me know what is you reply." 

Now the rooster said - "You are saying good to me, O brother. I regard you as the commissioner from our King, but my condition is changed." "And what is that?" "Do you see, what I am seeing presently?" "And what is that?" "I see a dust cloud lowering and the falcons towering in circles." Hearing this the fox got frightened and said to him - "Be careful, lest there is any mishap." The rooster continued to look and said - "I can see a bird flying." Fox said nervously - "See it carefully. Is it a greyhound?" "The Truth is known to Allaah alone, but I can see his long legs and he is coming to us."

Now as the fox heard this, he cried to rooster - "I must leave you now." And he ran away as fast as he could. Seeing him running away, the rooster cried away - "Why do you run when you have not harmed to anyone?" The fox said - "I am afraid of greyhound for he is not my friend and I am not familiar with him." The rooster said - "Didn't you tell me that as a Commissioner that the King has proclaimed the peace amongst all the beasts and the birds?"

The fox said - "O my brother, This greyhound was not present at that time when this proclamation was made, nor was his name announced in the Congress of the Beasts." And so saying the fox ran away flying and the rooster escaped the foe. Then the rooster came down from the wall and went back to his farm thanking Allaah who conveyed him unharmed to his own place."

End of Story No 64