And he who has not lost a camel, he too seeks a camel, just like he who has truly lost a camel.
-The Masnavi 2:2976, Rumi
KhairAllah’s camel rustling story goes like this. A thief cut one from the herd when the night watch had fallen asleep and was long gone by dawn. KhairAllah tracked him for a full day and dismounted at his camp at sunset, acting friendly and nonchalant. That looks like the camel I lost yesterday, he said. It can’t be, said the thief, I’ve always owned him and never lost him even once. Then let me buy him from you, KhairAllah replied. He handed over the cash and told him, And don’t you dare seek another camel that you have never lost.