the zahir

-We must eat three meals a day, even if we're not hungry, and when we fail to fit the current ideal of beauty we must fast, even if we're starving.

-We must dress according to the dictates of fashion, make love whether we feel like it or not, kill in the name of our country, wish time away so that retirement comes more quickly, elect politicians, complain about the cost of living, change our hairstyle, criticize anyone who's different, go to a religious service and beg forgiveness for our sins and puff ourselves up with pride because we know the truth and despise the other tribe who worships a false god.

-Our children must follow in our footsteps; after all, we are older and know about the world.

-We must never make our parents sad, even if this means giving up everything that makes us happy..

-We must study things we will never use, but which someone told us were important to know.

-We must have a university degree even if we never get a job in the area of knowledge we were forced to study.

-We must be amusing at all times and sneer at those who express their real feelings; it's dangerous for a tribe to allow its members to show their feelings.

-We must buy jewelry; it identifies us with our tribe, just as body piercing identifies those of a different tribe.

-We must do jobs we detest because we are part of an organized society, and if everyone did what they wanted to do, the world would come to a standstill.

People who are different are dangerous; they belong to another tribe; they want our lands and our women.