— I’m sorry which way is your ancient Persian?
— Shhhh. There are people studying.
— Yes, but all I want to know is which way.
— Please be quiet.
— Well instead of telling me to be quiet why don’t you point me?
— Very well. But you must promise that once you are there you will not talk.
— Talk to whom?
— The books.
— The books? Who talks to books?
— Please accept that some people do and that it’s not wise to.
— Who?
— They. Don’t you know who they are?
— No. Who?
— The men who talk to books.
— Right. I won’t talk to the books. Which way.
— Yes.
— Well?
— What?
— Ancient Persia. Where is it?
— Well, it’s in the past.
— So will you be if you don’t help me.
— If you threaten me I shall be forced to leave. I mean, I shall be forced to ask you to leave.
— Just please, tell me where the ancients are.
— Greece or Persia?
— Persia.
— Epoch?
— Ancient!
— Could you be more specific?
— I don’t know.
— Well, I can’t help you if you don’t know. It’s a library, not a school.
— Alright, the Safavids.
— Hardly ancient are they? Do you have a permit for using this library?
— Permit? If you if you don’t tell me where the Persian section is I will start to TALK LOUDLY.
— Shhhhhhh! We can’t have people shouting.
— You’re mad.
— This is the Great Library. Men have come here to learn for centuries.
— It probably took them that long to find a book.
— Which book are you looking for?
— I am not looking for a book, I am looking for a section. Ancient Persian.
— Are you Greek?
— Are you bonkers? What difference does it make?
— Greeks burnt Persia’s libraries. Surely you know.
— Yes, I read it in the Evening Post. Terrible, what’s the world coming to, eh?
— So you are –
— No I’m not bloody Greek.
— You look Greek.
— I am not. Let’s say I am.
— Knew it. Well, can’t have you burning our section, good day sir.
— Peyvand Khorsandi's blog, Soul Bean Café