Moses and the lost lamb: Story from Rumi’s Masnavi

They say that when Moses (Upon Him Be Peace) was still the shepherd of the Prophet Shuayb (Upon Him Be Peace) and had not yet received divine inspiration, he was one day feeding his sheep.

By chance one lamb became separated from the others. Moses wanted to bring her back to the flock, but the she an off into the desert; not being able to see the sheep, she ran about the terror and Moses chased her for a distance of many miles, until she had no strength left and fell down exhausted and could not get up.

Moses came up to her and was moved with compassion. He said “O hapless one, wither are you fleeing? Whom do you fear?”

Seeing that she could not walk anymore, he picked her up and put her on his shoulders and brought her back to the flock.

Moses put her down and she joined the flock.

God (Be He Exalted) called to the angels, saying, “I saw your with tenderness my servant treated that helpless lamp? Because he took trouble and harmed not the ewe, but rather had mercy on her, (I declare) be My Divine glory that I will raise him up and make him My interlocutor [Kalimullah]; I will grant him prophethood now and send him a Book [Torah], and as long as the world exists, his name will be spoken.”

Declaring this, Allah bestowed all these token upon Moses.

English translation based on our dear friend Wazir Dyers’ work, with his permissions and compliments.