The Wedding of Zein

Villagers view Zein as foolish. A holy man and a young girl recognize his piety and spiritual intelligence. Zein brays laughter, declares love for maidens, facing no anger due to perceived foolishness. Everyone in his village believes that Zein is a simpleton, a half-wit, an amiable buffoon. Thus, his braying laughter and public declarations of love for village maidens only win laughter rather than anger, beatings or worse. However, Haneen, a wandering Muslim holy man, perceives something more in this figure of fun: genuine piety and an inner radiance, marked by a powerful spiritual intelligence. One other person sees more in Zein than most do- the beautiful, pious and sedate young girl in the village. —Anonymous