When Alexander, that unconquered lord,
Who subjugated empires with his sword,
Required a lengthy message to be sent
He dressed up as the messenger and went.
"The king gives such an order," he would say,
And none of those who hurried to obey
Once guessed this messenger's identity -
They had no knowledge of such majesty,
And even if he said: "I am your lord,"
The claim was thought preposterous and ignored.
Deluded natures cannot recognize
The royal way that stands before their eyes.
~ Farid Attar
from The Conference of Birds
translation by Afkham Darbandi and Dick Davis