Yunus Emre
ca. 1240-1320
God permeates the whole wide world,
Yet his truth is revealed to none.
You better seek Him in yourself,
You and He aren't apart - you're one.
                               ---Yunus Emre
Hacı Bektaş, Tapduk Emre & Yunus
Hacı Bektaş’ fame had spread in every direction, and from all sides mürids and
muhibs had started to come. The sema’ and enjoyment were being carried out
and the meclis was held. The destitute were coming and becoming rich, and
those who wanted to obtain a wish were appealing to him and finding their wish.

In the south of Sevrihisar there was a village they called Sarıgök. There was a
man called Yunus Emre who had been born in that village. The tomb of this
eren is also near the place where he was born. He was making a living by
cultivating crops, and was an impoverished man. One year there had been a
famine and the crops had not grown. Yunus Emre heard of Hacı Bektaş’
standing and he said, “I will go to him and ask for a little something.” He loaded
an ox with medlar berries, and came to Karahüyük. He said to the Hunkar, “I
am a penniless man; I did not get anything from my crops. Take my fruit, and
in return please me with its value. My family and my relatives and I will eat
from your payment in love of you.” The Hunkar gave the order, and they ate
the medlar berries.

After one or two days Yunus decided to return to his home. The Hunkar sent
for his dervishes and said, “Ask him, shall we give wheat or a nefes?” They
asked Yunus and he said, “What will I do with a nefes? I have need of wheat!”
The dervishes informed the Hunkar. He decreed, “We will give ten nefes for
every medlar seed.” They told Yunus this and he said, “But I have a family and
relatives, I have need of wheat!” In agreement with this, they loaded wheat
upon his ox, and he set out on the road.

When Yunus came to the lower side of the village, just as he crossed the slope
on the other side of the hamam, he said to himself, “What kind of useless deed
I have done? I went to the eren, and he offered the nesib to me and would give
ten nefes for each medlar seed, but I did not accept. This wheat which was
given to me shall be eaten in a few days and it will be finished. Was it for this
that I was deprived of my nesib? I will turn back and go again, and perhaps he
will sanctify me again.” With this he turned back and came again to the tekke.
He unloaded the wheat and said, “Let the Eren give the nesib which he offered
me, I have no need of wheat.”"

The halifes went and notified the Hunkar. The Hunkar said, “I am sorry. Such
an act can not be repaired like this, for I gave the key to that lock to Tapduk
Emre. Have Yunus go to him, and receive his nesib from him.” The halifes
related the words of the Hunkar to Yunus Emre. He traveled to Tapduk Emre
and related the Hunkar's greeting, and explained what had happened. Tapduk
received the greeting and said, “Your coming is a delight, for you brought good
fortune. Your situation was revealed to us. Serve and work for me, and then
you will receive your nesib.” Yunus started to gather wood and carry it on his
back to Tapduk Emre' s tekke. He would not cut green wood, nor bring crooked
wood. He served like this for forty years.

One day a joy came to Tapduk Emre and he became ecstatic. In the meclis
there was a poet named Guyende and Tapduk said to him, "Sing!" But he was
reluctant and did not sing. Tapduk said, "Speak! We are eager to listen." Again
Guyende did not sing. This time Tapduk turned to Yunus Emre and completed
the nefes of the Hunkar. He said, “Your time has come and we have opened the
lock of your treasury. We gave you the nesib! Sing!” The curtain of the unseen
immediately rose from Yunus Emre's eyes and he began to sing. The nefes
which he sang have since formed a large compilation.

(from the Vilateyname of Haji Bektash Veli)
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