ORANG-ORANGAN SAWAH
Karya: Kahlil Gibran

Suatu kali aku berkata pada orang-orangan sawah, “Kau pasti lelah berdiri sendirian di ladang ini.”

Dan dia menjawab, “Kesenangan untuk menakut-nakuti terlalu dalam, dan aku tidak pernah merasa lelah.”

Kataku, setelah satu menit berpikir. “Itu benar, karena aku tahu banyak tentang kesenangan.”

Katanya, “Hanya mereka yang dipenuhi jerami yang mengerti tentang hal itu.”

Lalu aku meninggalkannya, tidak tahu apakah ia memuji atau merendahkanku.

Setahun berlalu, selama itu orang-orangan sawah berubah menjadi filosof.

Dan ketika aku melewatinya lagi, aku melihat dua ekor burung membangun sarang di bawah topinya.

Kahlil Gibran

Buku: Orang Gila – Kahlil Gibran (1918)

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THE SCARECROW
By: Khalil Gibran

Once I said to a scarecrow, “You must be tired of standing in this lonely field.

And he said, “The joy of scaring is a deep and lasting on, and I never tire of it.”

Said I, after a minute of thought, “It is true; for I too have known that joy.”

Said he, “Only those who are stuffed with straw can know it.”

Then I left him, not knowing whether he had complimented or belittled me.

A year passed, during which the scarecrow turned philosopher.

And when I passed by him again I saw two crows building a nest under his hat.

Kahlil Gibran

Book: The Madman – Khalil Gibran (1918)