A  DIALOGUE

Introduction
This poem shows the elegance of the freedom of heart over heart’s slavery to material pleasures. The wild bird represents the former and the household bird the latter. This is one of the favorite topics of  ‘All«mah Iqb«l. Cf.

(203)      There is no difference in words and meaning but
                The Mullah’s adh«n is different from that of the Muj«hid

 (204)      Though the flight of both is in the same one space
                The vulture’s world is different from the eagle’s world

 (Appendix III, No, 29)

Translation
A domesticated bird once said to the wild bird
“If you have wings, do not I also have wings?

If you are air-borne, I am also air-borne
If you are free I am also not a prisoner

All winged creatures are characterized by flight
Why then are wild birds inclined to be arrogant!”

As the wild bird’s  self-respect became wounded
He spoke thus on hearing this heart-rending talk

“There is no doubt you also are free for flight
But the limit of your flight is only up to the wall

Are you unacquainted with the courage of the wild birds?
You live on the dust, they are concerned with the sky

                You are a household bird, you seek food in the dust
                We strike the star  with our beak in search of the grain”