- When they hadn't even gone half a mile, they meet a poor old man.
- This old man greets them meekly, saying, "Now lords, God watch over you!"
- The nastiest of the three answers him, "Why are you all wrapped up in rags except for your face, ugly old man? Why are you still alive at your age?"
- The old man looks in his face and says, "It's because I can't find anyone willing to exchange his youth for my age, even though I walked from here to India.
- So I'm stuck being old as long as God wills it.
- Not even Death will take my life.
- So I walk around like a listless wretch, knocking on the ground with my staff crying, 'Dear mother, let me in!'
- I'm just a bunch of wasted flesh.
- When will my old bones rest? 'Mother, I'll exchange a chest of gold that's been in my possession a long time just for a rag to wrap my dead body in.'
- But she won't do me that favor, and that's why my face is pale and wrinkled.
- But sirs, it's not polite to speak to an old man so rudely except if he somehow offends you.
- In Holy Writings you can read yourself, 'Before an old man with grey hair on his head, you should stand in respect.'
- So my advice to you is to treat an old man like you'd want to be treated in your old age, if you last that long.
- And may God be with you, wherever you go or ride. I must go from here to where I have to go."