19

Whereat he, Solomon, smiled (fa-tabassama, the beginning [of the sentence]) amused (dāhikan, the end [of the sentence]) at its words, which he had heard from three miles away and which was carried to him by the winds. When he was on the verge of [entering] their valley, he [Solomon] made his hosts halt until they [the ants] had entered their dwellings - on this journey his hosts consisted of cavalry and infantry. And he said, 'My Rabb, inspire me to be thankful for Your grace wherewith You have favoured me and my parents, and to do good that will please You, and include me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous servants', the prophets and saints.