Questions Regarding Those that Sleep and the purpose of sleep

[Moonfox]

""A great many things are instantly obvious to the Sufi, which
cannot be arrived at by the average man. An allegory is used
to explain some of the amazing acts of Sufi initiates, based upon
supersensory powers. To the Sufi, these are no more miraculous
than any of the ordinary senses are to the layman. Just how they
work cannot be described; but a rough analogy can be drawn.

"Mankind is asleep," said Nasrudin, when he had been accused
of falling asleep at court one day. "The sleep of the sage is powerful,
and the 'wakefulness' of the average man is almost useless to anyone."

The King was annoyed.

The next day, after a heavy meal, Nasrudin fell asleep, and the King
had him carried into an adjoining room. When the court was about to
rise, Nasrudin, still slumbering, was brought back to the audience chamber.

"You have been asleep again," said the King.

"I have been as awake as I needed to be."

"Very well, then, tell me what happened while you were out of the room."

To everyone's astonishment, the Mulla repeated a long and involved story
that the King had been reciting.

"How did you do it, Nasrudin?"

"Simple," said the Mulla; "I could tell by the expression on the face of the
King that he was about to tell that old story again. That is why I went to
sleep for its duration."

--- Idries Shah, The Sufis (London: Octagon Press, 1964) p. 95"""

This is my new favorite story.