The Amazing Scissors of the Expert Tailor...!

One night, an eloquent man was sitting in a gathering of friends, telling amusing stories about tailors. The storyteller possessed so much information that a proper "Tailor's Chronicle" could have been compiled. When he had related countless stories of tailors stealing and cleverly making customers' fabric disappear, a Turk among the listeners, who took great pride in his own wisdom and intellect, asked:

"Who is the most masterly tailor in this area?"

The storyteller replied: "Though many experts exist in the nooks and corners of this city, a tailor named 'Pursh' is a true artist. There is no counter-charm to his cut; he is such a master of sleight of hand that he can steal the kohl right out of your eyes without you ever noticing."

The Turk said:

"Place a bet with me! I will take fabric to him and see how he throws dust in my eyes to steal it. Forget about the fabric, he won't be able to make even a single thread disappear."

Hearing this, his friends said:

"Dear brother, do not get too enthusiastic. Many before you made the same claim and were tricked by this tailor. Do not rely too much on your intellect; you will be deceived."

After the gathering dispersed, the Turk went home. He spent the whole night in restlessness and anxiety. As soon as morning broke, he took a piece of precious satin (Atlas) fabric and reached Pursh the tailor's shop after asking for directions. Upon seeing the Turkish customer, the tailor stood up with great respect and offered salutations. The tailor displayed such good manners, honor, and respect that the Turk was deeply impressed. He thought to himself: "This man does not outwardly appear to be such a cunning deceiver; people just make a mountain out of a molehill." Thinking this, he placed the precious satin before the tailor and said:

"Stitch a robe (Qaba) for me out of this satin."

The tailor folded both hands respectfully across his chest and said: "Sir, I will stitch such a robe that will not only look beautiful on your body, but the whole world will admire it." He measured the fabric with a yardstick and began marking it in various places for cutting. Simultaneously, he started sharing amusing tales from here and there. Witty conversations ensued, in which the Turk became deeply interested. When the tailor saw his interest, he told a humorous joke, hearing which the Turk burst into laughter; the Turk's narrow eyes closed even further. The tailor quickly cut a piece of the fabric and hid it under his thigh in such a way that no one but God could see. In short, during this delightful storytelling, the Turk completely forgot his original purpose and his bet. Where was the satin? Where was the bet? In the laughter and jokes, the Turk became oblivious to everything. The Turk said to the tailor:

"Tell me another amusing story like that!"

The tailor again displayed his glib tongue. The Turk laughed so hard that his eyes closed completely; his senses departed, and his intellect said goodbye. This time, the tailor cut another piece of fabric and hid it under his thigh. When the Turk demanded a joke for the fourth time, the tailor felt some shame and said: "Do not demand any more. If I tell you another funny story, your robe will become too tight for you."

After relating this parable, Mevlana Rumi (Rahimahullah) advises: Do you know who that Turk was? Who the deceptive tailor was? What the satin is? What the jokes and laughter are? What the scissors are, and what the robe signifies?

Listen!

That oblivious Turk is your own self, which relies heavily on its own intellect and wisdom.

That cunning, deceitful tailor is this transitory world.

The laughter and jokes are your carnal desires.

The days and nights are running through your lifespan like a tailor's scissors over the satin fabric.

Your fondness for amusement is your negligence.

The satin robe was meant to be stitched for your goodness and virtue, but it was ruined and destroyed in useless jokes and bursts of laughter.

O dear one! Correct your senses; leave the external appearance and focus on the internal. The cunning tailor of this world is cutting the satin of your precious life into pieces day and night with the scissors of time, while you are busy in laughter and amusement...!

— Tales of Rumi