One day, a seeker of truth travelled far and wide to meet the revered Sufi master, Abu Sa‘id(d. 1049). Bowing before him, the man spoke with deep longing in his voice.
"O Master, I have come to you with a simple yet profound request—show me something of God."
Abu Sa‘id regarded the man with a knowing smile and, after a pause, said, "Return tomorrow."
The seeker left, his heart brimming with anticipation. That evening, the master turned to his disciples and gave them a peculiar instruction:
"Before the man returns, catch a mouse. Place it inside a box and seal it tightly."
The disciples obeyed without question.
The following day, when the seeker returned, he reminded the master of his promise. Abu Sa‘id nodded and gestured for the box to be brought forth. Placing it carefully in the man's hands, he said,
"Take this with you. But be warned—do not open it."
The man hesitated, puzzled by the cryptic gesture, but took the box nonetheless and set off for home.
Yet as he walked, curiosity gnawed at him. What could be inside? Was it a divine relic, a sacred scripture, a glimpse of the infinite? His thoughts spiraled into excitement, doubt, and urgency.
By the time he reached his home, he could endure the mystery no longer. With trembling hands, he unfastened the lid.
In an instant, a tiny mouse darted out and disappeared into the shadows.
Shock and disappointment coursed through him. Had the great master played a trick on me? Fuming, he rushed back to Abu Sa‘id.
"Master, I sought the mystery of God from you, and all you gave me was a mouse!"
Abu Sa‘id gazed at him with eyes that held both compassion and amusement.
"My friend," he said, "I entrusted you with something small, and you could not keep it hidden. If I were to reveal the secret of God, how could you possibly hold on to it?"
