The mirror., 1922-01-19
WISDOM OF THE ORIENT
Second InstalIment

fines OF the tent of Abdul Haman, the
story-teller, of Navasa, capitol of Yatispur,
sizable crowd had gathered to enjoy the
rendition of one of his famous narratives.
An aromatic fragrance of deliciously
brewed turkish coffee served in small cups
of very thin chinaware, suffused the at
mosphere and very nearly succeeded in
overpowering the tobacco fumes arising
from the manifold forms and fashions in
dulged in by almost everyone of the true
sons of Allah assembled.
The tithe, Abdul Haman exacted
from his patronage for the privilege of
listening to his interesting tales of by
gone days, was the smallest coin of the
realm and included the refreshment above
mentioned free from any additional ex-
pense on their part. Little wonder did it
create in the minds of those opposed to his
profession in general and to Abdul Haman
in particular that this story-teler was al
ways able to fill his place of business to
its capacity.
Abdul Haman's stories were combina-
ton of Arabian folklore and ancient
fables, cleverly interviewer with satiri-
cal appeal to his hearers to behold and
recognize themselves in the figures and
situations masterfully conjured before
their mental eye.
Navasa, and for that, all Yatispur, had,
as many other cities and countries, its
various strata of society. Its rich and
poor, its oppressors and oppressed, its hy-
pocrits and liars, its honest and dishonest
merchants, bankers and public officials
and above all its common people utterly
indifferent to the asperity of special privi
lege which like an ever growing cancer
threatened to ruin their heretofore peace
full mode of existence.
No sooner had the heavy and ever in
creasing taxes reached the public trea-
sury, than the proper or improperly
elected representatives of the people
would join hands with the octopus of
wealth and squander the intrusted funds.
Some trivial and illogical reason dressed
in the folds of patriotism or local pride
would be foisted and the dear public
given to understand that the expenditure
was boon for the town or country and
the returns to be derived would be won
derful blessing to all. With the final di-
vision of spoils, public function would
be inaugurated, speeches held, flags raised
and where the robbery was too barefaced
to pass unobserved, some one of the faith
full would be selected as the public goat
and sacrificed that in the future, "the
powers that be-" could again and again
repeat their daylight holdups for the bene-
fit of themselves principally, and second
arily for large part of those sworn to
uphold the rights of their constituents.
Abdul Haman, the story-teller, shrewd
Judge of human psychology had spent
years weaving his tales around these out
RACES; and well aware of the displeasure
his almost too vivid narratives created in
certain circles mostly affected, by posi-
BILE awakening of the sleeping giant, had
carefully refrained from personalities and
thereby remained invulnerable to the fury
of the law and its dispensers.
His stories, aimed at gradual enlight-
eminent of the great masses, possessed the
charm all fairy tales have, and while
amusing his audience, were hoped by him
eventually to bring about an earnestly de-
sired result.
The last cup of coffee served, the last
arrival seated, Abdul Haman gave sign
to his servants to have his pillows and
cushions on his slightly raised couch more
comfortably arranged. Gradually the
noise subsided, the clinking of coffee cups
ceased and Abdul Haman began the story
for which his huge advertising posters out
side of his tent claimed the title: "The Pub
lie be Execrated." Some 10000 years ago
there lived in far away country mighty