74. Rabia and the Blanket


A friend gave Rabia four coins so she could buy a blanket. "This winter is very cold," she said to Rabia. "You need a blanket!"
So Rabia took the money and went to the market where she found a vendor selling blankets.
"Which blanket do you want?" the vendor asked her. "Perhaps this white blanket? Or this black one?"
Without a word, Rabia left the market and walked to the river. "Even before I burden myself with the blanket, I'm burdened with choosing a color. I want no such discord!" she said, and she threw the coins into the river.



Inspired by: Sufi Women by Javad Nurbakshsh
Notes: This story is on p. 36 of the book. You can find out more about Rabia of Basra at Wikipedia.



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