claiming in the angelic tongue the salutations the plants offer to the All-Glorious Creator through their lives; and employing the faculties given to plants correctly and directing them towards certain aims and ordering them to some extent. These duties of the angels are meritorious actions of a sort by reason of the angels’ faculty of will. Indeed, they are a kind of worship and adoration. But the angels have no real power of disposal, for on everything is a stamp peculiar to the Creator of all things. No other being’s hand can interfere in creation. That is to say, this sort of work of the angels forms their worship. It is not a custom like with human beings.

THE SECOND CATEGORY of workers in this palace of the universe are animals. Since animals also have an appetitive soul and faculty of will, their work is not purely for the sake of God; to some extent, they take a share for their souls. Therefore, since the Glorious and Munificent Lord of All Dominion is all-generous, He bestows a wage on them during their work so that their souls receive a share. For example, the All-Wise Creator employs the famous nightingale, [^11] renowned for his love of the rose, for five aims.

[^11]:Since the nightingale speaks poetically, our discussion also becomes poetic for a bit. But it is not imaginary, it is the truth.

First Aim: It is the official employed to proclaim in the name of the animal species the intense relationship that exists between them and the plant species.

Second Aim: It is a dominical orator from among the animals, who are like guests of the All-Merciful One needy for sustenance, and is employed to acclaim the gifts sent by the All-Generous Provider and to announce their joy.

Third Aim: It is to announce to everyone the welcome offered to plants, which are sent for the assistance of its fellow animals.

Fourth Aim: It is to announce over the blessed heads of the plants and to their beautiful, the intense need of the animal species for them, which reaches the degree of love and passion.

Fifth Aim: It is to present with acute yearning at the court of mercy of the All-Glorious, Beauteous, Munificent Lord of All Dominion a truly graceful glorification inspired by the delicate face of the rose.

There are further meanings similar to these five aims and they are the purpose of the deeds the nightingale performs for the sake of Truth (All glory be unto Him and may He be exalted). The nightingale speaks in his own tongue, but we understand these meanings from his plaintive words. If