4.3.11


The Philosopher And The Cobbler

            There came to a cobbler’s shop a philosopher with worn shoes. And the philosopher said to the cobbler, “ Please mend my shoes. ”
            And the cobbler said, “ I am mending another man’s shoes now, and there are still other shoes to patch before I can come to yours. But leave your shoes here, and wear this other pair today, and come tomorrow for your own. ”
             Then the philosopher was indignant, and he said, “ I wear no shoes that are not my own. ”
            And the cobbler said, “ Well then, are you in truth a philosopher, and cannot enfold your feet with the shoes of another man? Upon this very street there is another cobbler who understands philosophers better than I do. Go you to him for mending. ”

From The Wanderer
By Kahlil Gibran