Mullah Nasrudin Bumps Into Things Mullah Nasrudin had a bad day. He kept banging into things, knocking over chairs. He even crashed into his wife. On the street it was quiet until Mullah Nasrudin crashed into someone innocently walking about at the bazaar. Mullah Nasrudin kept saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you coming.” Mullah Nasrudin came home with many bruises. His wife was exasperated. The Mullah’s wife asked, “Why are you walking around with your eyes closed?” “Because I am a religious student, and the Grand Ayatollah says these are the Nights and Days of Student Infamy.” The Mullah’s wife said, “Yes, I know you study the Mysteries, but you are covered in bruises.” “It is my sacrifice for the Old Revolution and …” The Mullah’s wife interrupted him. “Take my hand. I will lead you to a chair.You must be feverish and deluded. Explain further.” “The Ayatollah doesn’t lie,” said Mullah Nasrudin speaking carefully ,”and…” He hesitated. Nasrudin continued, “If it is night and students live in a world of dreams, I have no need to open my eyes.” She said, “I have a voice in my head, and I have no need to listen to you.” “What does it say?” “We must go to the cemetary.” and she led him there. He stumbled into a headstone and the pain was so great that he fell to his knees and opened his eyes. “What do you see,” she asked. I see what you hear: it is Neda. Their eyes watered the grass. In loving waves students flowed around their sorrow to lift them in song. This is no mystery the Mullah declared, and a young savant who helped them chant, invited them for tea at the university. —Douglas Gilbert
Poetry by Douglas Gilbert
