Book Description

CAT & MOUSE, FISH & SPIDER Three Fables in Persian Sufi Poetry Obeyd Zakani, Shah Da'i & Parvin Etesami Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Mouse & Cat by Obeyd Zakani is a satirical, epic fable that was influential at the time it was composed (14th c.) and has remained so for the past 600 years. It is more than just a story for children (that some say brought about the cartoon of Tom & Jerry)... it is a story of the stupidity of the false power of those in power and a warning to all that such blind ambition always leads to destruction at the hands of one even more powerful. Sufi poet Shah Da'i (1406-1464) takes his clue from 'Attar and tells the marvellous tale of the fish who go in search of an answer to their problem from the Ancient Wise Fish. Iran's recent great female poet Parvin Etesami (1907-1941) tells the simple but deep tale of the lazy man and the hard-working spider in such a clever and engrossing way that her reason for telling it is subtle but truly enlightening. The correct rhymes and meaning have been achieved. Illustrated. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 154 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of many mystical works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. Paul Smith (b.1945) is an Australian poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Omar Khayyam, Rudaki, Ibn al-Farid Makhfi, Lalla Ded, and others and his poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com