The Conference of the Birds

The birds, elated by the story of Sheikh Sam’an, set out on their journey, but soon stop to elect an official leader. They conduct a lottery and the hoopoe wins. The birds, now numbering 100,000, continue to the Simorgh, but become frightened by the “endless desolation” of the path. The hoopoe tells them the story of Sheikh Bayazi, who, also afraid of the emptiness of his spiritual journey, was consoled by the knowledge that God only shows himself to a few worshippers and so the path must be empty. The birds continue to doubt their ability to take the journey, and ask the hoopoe why he is spiritually successful but they are not. The hoopoe tells the birds how Solomon’s glance gave him enlightenment, but only because he prayed ceaselessly until he received the glance from Solomon. He also tells the story of King Masoud’s visit to a poor boy who fishes every day, in order to feed his family. The day the King appears, the boy catches 100 fish and his fortunes change forever.

Another bird protests that he is too weak and timid to complete the journey and he is certain he will die.