sum I likewise ordered to be given him. After receiving so much,
the _fakir_ re-entered from the first gate and again begged alms:
his conduct appeared to me highly impudent, and I said, hear, O
avaricious man, what kind of a _fakir_ art thou, that dost not even
know the meaning of the three letters which compose the word [Arabic:
faqr] _fakr_ (poverty); a _fakir_ ought to act up to them. He replied,
"Well, generous soul, explain them yourself." I answered, "[Arabic:
f] _fe_ means _faka_ (fasting); [Arabic: q] _kaf_ signifies _kina'at_
(contentment); and [Arabic: r] _re_ means _riyazat_ (devotion); [202]
whoever has not these three qualities, is not a _fakir_. All this
which you have received, eat and drink with it, and when it is done,
return to me, and receive whatever thou requirest. This charity is
bestowed on thee to relieve immediate wants and not for the purpose
of accumulation. O avidious! from the forty gates thou hast received
from one piece of gold up to forty; add up the amount, and see by the
rule of arithmetical progression how many pieces of gold it comes to;
and even after all this, thy avarice hath brought thee back again
through the first gate. What wilt thou do after having accumulated so
much money? A [real] _fakir_ ought only to think [of the wants] of the
passing day; the following day the great Provider [of necessaries]
will afford thee a new pittance. Now evince some shame and modesty;
have patience, and be content; what sort of mendicity is this that
thy spiritual guide hath taught thee?"

On hearing these reproaches of mine, he became displeased and angry,
and threw down on the ground all [the money] he had received from me,
and said, "Enough, sir, do not be so warm; take back your gifts and
keep them, and do not again pronounce the word generosity. It is very
difficult to be generous; you are not able to support the weight of
generosity, when will you attain to that station? [203] you are as