PAVASTÂ: Clay Tablet

When a world ends, words remain...


Tongue-in-cheek...




Nothing is known about the humor of the ancient Persians.

Here is a sample from
Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet who was born in Balkh (Bactra).

   A man, hard of hearing, on his way to visit his sick friend, said to himself, "How shall I understand my friend I am going to visit? Well, when I see his lips moving, I will make a guess. When I ask, 'How are you?' he will reply, 'I am fine.' Then I shall say, 'Thanks be to God. What have you had to drink?' He will reply, 'Some sorbet.' Then I will say, 'May you enjoy health. Who is your doctor?' He will say, 'So-and-so.' And I will say, 'I have experienced the benefit of his treatment. Wherever he goes, the desired end is attained.'"

   He arrived at his friend's house.

   "How are you?" he asked.

   "I am dying," his sick friend replied.

   "Thanks be to God! What are you drinking?"

   "Poison."

   "May it do you good. Who is your doctor?"

   "Angel of Death!"

   "His arrival is a blessing! Rejoice!"