[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Foreign](https://indike.org/pramana/inf) › [Islamic world](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl) › [Persian](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa) › [Story books adapted from India](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa) › [سندبادنامه](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt) › 123.18 # سندبادنامه 123.18 English (machine translation) 123.18 - **Language:** English ### [123.18](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123.18) When both were brought forward, the elephant, out of extreme hunger and need for fodder, reached out its trunk toward the fodder. The elephant-driver said, 'Do not take the fodder; take up the fire!' It moved to take up the fire. He said, 'Do not take it up; place your trunk on it!' It moved to place its trunk upon it. He said, 'Do not place your trunk upon it; pay homage to the king!' The elephant paid homage to the king. The elephant-driver kissed the ground and said, 'May the king live forever in perfection of dominion and permanence of power! I was able to teach this elephant that which it could perform with head, neck, hands, feet, and trunk; but that which pertained to its heart and innate nature, I was not able to teach, for that is concealed from me, and I have no knowledge of it. Perchance it was celestial destiny that it should rebel against the rein of the king's control; and human intellects cannot attain insight into the hidden secrets of fate and the concealed effects of destiny. Whatever incident descends from the upper realm - [Previous: 123.12](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123.12) - [Next: 123.29](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123.29) - [Up: 123](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123) ## Linked texts (1) - [سندبادنامه](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama.123.18) — Ẓahīrī Samarqandī, Persian --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123.18](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.qissa.sindbadnama~en-mt.123.18) · Pramāṇa