58 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us; al-Ḥusayn b. al-Ḥasan al-Kūfī narrated to me; Abū al-Junayd, whose given name was al-Ḥusayn b. Khālid, narrated to us, saying:

⦗58⦘ ʿUbayd b. al-Abras once set out on an errand with a companion. Along the way they came upon a serpent writhing in the scorching sand. Those with him cried, “ʿUbayd, there is the snake—kill it!” He replied, “It needs me to give it water more than it needs to be slain.” They repeated, “ʿUbayd, kill the snake—or we shall.” He said, “Leave it to me.” He then took a water-skin he was carrying, poured water out for the creature and it drank; he poured what remained over its head and went on his way.

When he had completed his journey, his young camel went astray. Suddenly a voice called out to him:

O rider whose camel has lost its track,
With no true guide to keep you company,
Take this she-camel from us—mount it,
And shun your own worn-out mount as well;
When night withdraws its sunset veil,
And dawn shines forth and its star appears,
Dismount, unburden it, and let it graze.

He turned and, sure enough, a camel was standing there. He strapped on his saddle and rode it. When daybreak drew near he recognized the place and said:

O rider of the camel, you have escaped all harm
And deserts where even the seasoned night-traveller loses the way.
Now that morning is clear, tell us plainly
Who it was that bestowed this favour in the valley.
Return in honour, for you have brought us to safety;
Blessed are you, lofty-humped one, coming and going!

⦗59⦘ The voice replied:

I am the serpent you saw parched in the heat,
Dwelling far from every foul watering-hole.
You were generous with water when its bearer begrudged it;
You quenched my head and did not stint a drop.
Goodness endures, however long the years may last;
Evil is the vilest provision one can store.