The author of this book said: The love of the other animals is a closeness of natures and the inclination of like to like, as is seen in the close companionship of livestock, wild animals, and birds. Thus one hears a camel grumble and utter cries of longing when he must leave his companions in the herd, or a horse neigh when he must leave his close companion whom he is accustomed to be with at the manger. The same is the case with other livestock and beasts of burden. [226] As for the closeness of dogs to their masters, it is so well known we hardly need mention it. Indeed Buzuijmihr said: “I have learned from everything a moral lesson, even from the dog, the crow, and the cat.” When he was asked, “What have you learned from the dog?” he replied: “His closeness to his masters.”

It is related that Solomon the son of David, peace be upon him, was sitting in his assembly hall when he saw two sparrows. One of them said to the other, “Will you be contrary with me? Even if you were to order me to pick up Solomon's assembly hall with my beak, I would obey you and do it.” Solomon laughed and, calling to them, said to the male, “Are you the one who said such and such?” “Yes, O Prophet of God,” he replied. “What brought you to say such a thing?” Solomon asked. “O Prophet of God,” the sparrow answered, “a lover is not to be blamed.”

I heard one of our teachers say: “I was out in the desert, and I saw a camel that had twisted his head to the right and would not turn it [227] in any other direction. So I asked the camel driver, ‘What is the matter with this camel that he keeps his head turned to the right?’ ‘I had him tied in line with a female,’ he answered, ‘but then [a man came] and untied her and went off with her to the right. The camel turned his head after her, and he has kept it turned in that same direction ever since.’”