One day God Almighty asked Moses to learn some secret from Iblis (Satan). Moses went to Iblis and requested him to teach him a secret. “Remember this one lesson,” said Iblis, “Never say ‘I’; otherwise you will find yourself in the same condition as I am.”*
Another bird asked, “What shall we do to keep ourselves cheerful during the journey?”
“Be cheerful,” replied the Hoopoe, “with the thought of the existence of the Simurg. He whose heart is set on the Lord never dies. How can the angel of Death venture to approach him?”
“What shall we ask of the Simurg when we meet Him?” asked another bird.
This silly question roused the indignation of the Hoopoe. “Oh ignoramus, why should you ask anything of Him? Ask for Him, and Him alone. Listen to this story.”