now had we so willed we could indeed have exalted him by means of those but he always clung to the earth and followed but his own desires. thus his parable is that of an dog if thou approach him threateningly he will pant with his tongue lolling and. if thou leave him alone he will pant with his tongue lolling. such is the parable of those who are bent on giving the lie to our messages. tell then this story so that they might take thought.
ولو شئنا لرفعناه بها ولكنه أخلد إلى الأرض واتبع هواه فمثله كمثل الكلب إن تحمل عليه يلهث أو تتركه يلهث ذلك مثل القوم الذين كذبوا بآياتنا فاقصص القصص لعلهم يتفكرون