XI
The Moths
One evening as the Lover and the Disciple were sitting by the light of a candle a moth flew around the candle and seemed to warm itself in the flame. Seeing this the Disciple said, “Sir, surely this moth is like a Lover who warms himself in the love of the Beloved.”
“No, my son,” said the Lover. “this is like an unworthy seeker who although he perceives the love of the Beloved yet for fear that he should lose that which he has does not approach near the heat of His love.”
A little later after this moth had flown away, another moth came which flew so near the flame that its wings were scorched and all the lovely colors burned off them, after which it flew out into the darkness.
Then the Disciple said, “Sir, surely this moth must be like the true Lover of the Beloved, for see, by reason of the great love which it bore the flame, its wings are scorched and all its lovely colors departed.”
“Not so,” said the Lover. “This moth is like a timorous Lover who although he has tasted the joy of the Beloved yet when he feels the first searing pains of love flees from the flame and forsakes the Beloved.”
Then another moth flew in, which as soon as it perceived the candle did not flutter around it as the others had done but flew straight to it and throwing itself into the flame was utterly immolated, become one with the flame itself.
“See,” said the Lover, “like this is the true Lover of the Beloved, for thinking of nothing else he throws himself utterly into the burning love of the Beloved.”
