A dervish was once upon a time sitting on his own, contemplating in a patch of desert. A governor passed by. The dervish, being free from the cares of this world, neither lifted his head nor paid any attention to the passing by town figure. The ruler, with the violent pride of power, was furious and indicated: "These dervishes in their patched cloaks are no better than animals!"

His minister started scolding the dervish and said: "The great ruler of all the world passed by and you did not stand and bow: why were you so rude?"

The dervish answered: "Tell your governor to keep waiting those people to bow who hope for some reward from him. Tell him that rulers are there to protect their people. The people were not created just to obey rulers. The ruler is the watchman of the poor, though he has greater wealth and glory. The sheep are not made for the shepherd, rather the shepherd is there to serve the sheep. Open up the tomb and look for these dusty old bones: can you tell me who was the rich man or which was the pauper?"

The governor was stunned by the words of the dervish. He said: "Ask me a favor!"

The dervish replied: "I would ask you to never annoy me again."

The king begged: "Give me a word of advice!"

The dervish replied: "Now that wealth is in your hands, realize before it is too late, that this wealth and this power pass from hand to hand."