The Deaf and the Sick
Mathnavi Maulvi Ma’nvi
Volume 1
A respected man had told the deaf that his neighbor had gotten ill. The deaf said to himself: with these deaf ears, how would I understand what that young man has to tell me, especially when he is sick, and his voice must have grown weak, too. But then he thought: No, I must visit to inquire after him; no excuse is justified. When he will move his lips, I’ll guess what he’s trying to say. A sick man has to talk about his illness, medication, or doctor; what else? He starts presuming his conversation with the patient during his visit. Ok! When I ‘d ask my sick friend how he was feeling. He’ll answer: I’m fine or happy as He keeps me. I’ll say: Thank God!
My next questions would be: What have you taken for a meal? He’ll answer: I’ve taken some juice or soup. I’ll say: Well! You’ve made the most appropriate of choices. Then I’d say: Who is your Doctor? He’ll tell me the name of the doctor. I’ll reply: Certainly, it shows you wisdom; his very name brings the nice tiding, and he shall do you the good. I’ve personally tasted his expertise. He definitely has the solution to your problem. Wherever he goes, he relieves people of their misfortune. He revised the conversation again in his heart and reached the sick person.
O my Wise audience! It appears that the deaf was somewhat angry with the patient. The deaf reached the patient and caressed his forehead. He inquired:
“How are you, my dear friend? “
The sick replied: “near to death.”
The deaf said: “Thank God! What a surprise?
The patient’s heart was full of woe and wrath against the deaf.
The sick remarked: “What should I thank for? I see enemies approaching me.”
The deaf again made a wild guess and missed the shot.
He asked: “What have you been taking for meals?”
The sick replied: “The poison.”
The deaf exclaimed: “Blessed be you! What a nice choice!”
The patient was almost shocked with anger and disbelief.
Then the deaf asked: “Who is your doctor?”
The sick retorted: “The Angel of death. Ezrael is approaching, so you must leave.”
The deaf exclaimed: “Oh really! What a delight that he is coming! You must be extremely satisfied. I had just talked to him before coming here. I’ve also
requested him to take extremely good care of you.”
Saying this, the deaf left his sick friend, saying “bye,” “take care,” and “get well soon.” I must have stayed longer to look after you, but I have an important piece of work and can’t delay it any longer.
A window to Mathnavi Maulvi Ma’nvi
Translation and Commentary Seema Arif
Further Links for Rumi
The deaf returns happily, thinking it was too good of him that he had taken time to inquire after his sick neighbor. He was, however, completely unaware of this sad truth that he had badly outraged his ill neighbor. He was immersed in an aura of pleasantness about himself, thinking of himself as a great benefactor and an extremely benevolent person. It’s sarcastic that he’s been attaching value to something that was a total disaster.
The patient was thinking that the deaf was indeed his vilest enemy. He would have never imagined that he could be so cruel. The patient’s heart had gathered a hundred bad feelings about him; he wanted to pay him back. His situation worsened, and he was feeling more sick and nauseated due to anger. He desperately wanted to vomit his rage out.
Reflection
This dialogue satirically hints at perceptual bias: selective exposure. “We see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear.” The deaf here signifies that we turn deaf to other people’s concerns and talk from our perspective. Such a communication fails to deliver how noble the intention might be. This leads to relationship deterioration; increased use of such communication style ends the relationship on a bitter note.
On the other hand, whenever we are angry, we immediately want to discharge it and relieve ourselves of the pain and torment we feel within ourselves. Being outrageous, we may displace it on the innocent and repent later, but anger seeks immediate catharsis.
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