3/31/2008

The King's Ring*

"Suspended Tulips" in Dena Mountain's outskirts, Kohkiluyeh & Bouyer Ahmad Province, March 31, 2008.
Heeh! I'm taking it easy, so no elaborate posts today! I will tell you an old Persian tale, which I have shortened and edited.
A king received a beautiful ring with a large precious stone on it. He asked the wisemen around him to come up with a sentence which could be engraved on the stone. His requirement for the sentence, however, was a tough one. He said "I want a sentence which I can read both when I am happy and when I am sad, and for the sentence to have meaning and relevancy for me during both times." One of the wisemen finally came up with the winning sentence: "This, too, shall pass." In his moments of sadness, by looking at the ring the King was filled with hope, and in his moments of joy, by looking at the ring the King would remember not to get too full of himself and to keep his perspective on life.
*This story is for Ahmad, my friend in Texas.

13 comments:

Tameshk said...

Nazy Joonam
"This, too shall pass" is a phrase used often by a person very dear to my heart. Up until now I never knew the story behind it. Do you know if it is re-written by any famous poet like Saadi or...!?

midnight/... said...

My eyes are filled with tears.. Just read my post today Nazy joon; You will know what I mean. I just posted it, before reading your post.
And I wished you a year full of love... it is more than a wish, I feel it for you!
Hugs and kisses...

Anonymous said...

That's why I write "In negh niz bogzarad" at the end of all my posts;-)
www.neghneghoo.com

Esfand` said...

So true! Honestly, I remind my self of this when ever I am having tough time, like yesturday I had an exam, and which didnt go so well :( so I reminded my self of this, and I reminded my self of all those previous exams which didnt go well and all those which went perfect, but then none of them seems to be something big to me now, as they all have passed, become part of the past, with which at times I feel so unconnected and distant.

"this, too shall pass" .... as these days are really not going good for me.

Thanks for reminding! :)

Anonymous said...

Nazy-jan! This is so kind of you. Thank you.

مسعود said...

سلام نازی خانم
و
سلام بر تمشک هنر پرور

سنایی غزنوی غزلی دارد باقافیه "این نیز بگذرد" که یک بیت آن اینست

بگذشت آن زمانه که بودم سزای تو
اکنون نیم سزای تو این نیز بگذرد

و از فخرالدین عراقی
تا کی کشد عراقی مسکین جفای تو
بگذشت چون جفای تو،این نیز بگذرد

و از سیف فرغانی
ای دوستان خواهم که به نیکی دعای سیف
یک روز بر زبان شما نیز بگذرد

خوش باش دمی که اینچنین می گذرد

Nazy said...

Salam Bar Beautiful Tameshk!

I miss you girl! I can't wait for you to come see us. Masoud has kindly replied to your query, and I don't have anything to add. Did you see the Maryam Firooz videoclip on YouTube? It was also posted on Iranian.com. I thought it was very interesting and remembered you as I was watching it. Be happy my wonderful friend.

Nazy said...

Sweet and Soulful Nimshab Jan:

I went and read that post. What a sweet coincidence about our similar posts! I'm so glad to hear that your work is progressing positively. I miss you azizam. I am hoping to organize a picnic in May, when we can all get together and spend a peaceful day in nature. I will call you to organize a date that is suitable for all. Have a super Sunday!

Nazy said...

Neghneghoo Jan:

Hah! It's great to know the origin of that great slogan! You are truly a witty man and I just love reading your funny and nostalgic posts. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE looking at the world through your lens. Your photography rocks my friend! Thanks so much for coming to visit me again.

Nazy said...

Dear Esfand:

How true your comment is. I always tell my kids that their business in college is "to learn how to learn," because after passing 176 units in college, I can only remember the contents of a few of my general education courses and nothing more! The only thing I truly learned in college was how to think and analyze and articulate, and that's what higher education is all about, not the tests or the silly things we had to memorize. I hope you score the true "A's" in real life! As for me, I celebrate having scored a mediocre C+/B- on the average in my life!

Be happy Esfand!

Nazy said...

Salam Ahmad Jan:

You are so very welcome!

Nazy said...

Salam Masoud Jan:

I am speechless at your kindness and thoughtfulness! You really are a very special man. Thank you so much for coming to my rescue! You know, I always tell people around me that I am "an ocean of knowledge, 1 millimeter deep!" I know just a little bit about many subjects and I have no claims to knowing more! It's good when I have knowledgeable friends such as yourself who come to my aid!

Have a beautiful day in the already warm Ahvaz my friend.

Esfand` said...

Dear Nazy,

I totally agree with you on this, the whole idea of going to school is to learn how to learn, well said! :) I think this is what most of the scientists and science majors would agree with.

Thanks for your sweet words and kind wishes!

From where I see, I dont think you did anything mediocore!, yeah life can be cruel at times to make you think like this, I am happy that you celebrate what you have in life. But from where I see, you are an ACE, only from your expressions and your purity of emotions, you are an ACE to me :)