Ibrahim br br br Ibrahim was a shoemaker br in that Persian land afar br where wisest men practice crafts br in side-alleys without name br and teach with stories br br One day, Ibrahim was overcome br by happiness beyond all belief br while the sun moved from there to here br br He told his friend, who said br you look the same to me br br He went to the doctor who said br we’d better keep an eye on that, br it might need an X-ray br br He went to the priest who said br the Devil has cunning ways br to tempt with gifts br br He went to the politician who said br it’s just a way to avoid br your social responsibility br br He went to the psychiatrist who said br such delusions are uncommon but br not unknown come back next week br br Ibrahim walked home br through the market and stallholders smiled br even though he bought nothing br br a stray dog followed him home br his wife said you’re late for dinner br how lucky you are to have me for a wife br br his children said br didn’t you bring anything home for us? br br But here the story of Ibrahim br splits into many versions; br br so you who know that bliss br which overcame our Ibrahim br must complete it for yourselves br to tell to your chlldren and br your children’s children br br so that wise men smile, and angels laugh, br and poets pause, and storytellers br nod to themselves, while br they shape and tack their shoes, that br a storyteller carries on wise shoulders br a responsibility to human beings br greater than any king..