Page 111 - The Book of Rumi

The Grey Beard

he barber had just opened his shop and was sweeping the floor when a
Tman rushed in and demanded to be served.
“Good morning, my good sir,” said the barber politely. “How can I be
of service?”
“Good morning,” hurried the man. “Please, quickly, can you separate
and cut out the white hairs in my beard? I’ve just taken a young bride, and she
doesn’t like my gray look.”
The barber took a quick look at the customer, who had already sat down
in the barber’s chair, ready for his shave. He noticed that the man’s beard was
not just “salt and peppery” but in fact nearly all white. He took out his razor
and shaved the man’s entire beard off in one quick motion, then laid it before
him, commenting disdainfully: “Here’s your beard; you can separate the gray
yourself! I’ve got work to do.”
The barber then turned his back on the customer and continued with his
sweeping.

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