Akmed And Selim

The day had been hot. It was late summer, the streets of Tangier thronged with people of all races. Akmed was having a tough day, what with difficult customers and the heat. Soon he would be with his friend Selim in the shade of the coffee shop where they met every day after business.

They liked to unwind there, sipping Turkish coffee, smoking acrid cigarettes and discussing their day. When Akmed finally arrived, Selim was already there, looking even more hang-dog than usual. "So, my friend, has this one deserted you also?" asked Akmed as he sat down. "It is a sad thing," replied Selim, "She has done that very thing."

Akmed gazed contemplatively at his friend for a while before replying. Both men were in their 50's, rich and successful businessmen who had been friends since birth. Akmed married long ago, and was a happy man. He had sons and daughters he was devoted to, and a wife for whom he would buy the moon if he could.

Oh, they had their differences, but had long ago realized how deeply they loved each other, and how precious that was. So they worked hard to resolve their difficulties, and marriage was a rewarding experience for both.

Akmed was round, jolly and gentle. He loved good food, good wine and song, and watching the ocean on a moonlight night. He smiled easily and often. Selim now, was a different kettle of fish. Gaunt and taciturn, he had an air of gloom which followed him wherever he went.

He seldom enjoyed his food, drank sparingly, never danced and thought that moonlight was for lunatics. He had never married, and so had no children to take pride in. Yet he had the most wonderful rapport with Akmed's children, and when no one was looking, had been known to laugh with them. They called him "Uncle Doom," to which he simply shrugged, smiled and nodded.

"Tell me again, Selim my friend, why have you never married?" asked Akmed. "Well, it is a sad thing," replied Selim, "Years ago in Tunis, I met a woman with the disposition of an angel and the heart of a saint." "So what happened?" queried Akmed. "Alas, my friend, she looked like one of my camels," replied Selim.

Then, daydreaming, he carried on, "After her, I met a woman in Algiers who looked like an angel, and she had the face of a goddess." "What happened?" asked Akmed after a polite pause. "Well, she had the disposition of one of my camels," replied his morose friend.

"My friend, will you ever find the woman of your dreams?" Akmed gently asked. Selim replied, "Oh, that I did, two years ago in Marrakech, she looked like a goddess and had the heart of a saint and the disposition of an angel."

"What happened to her?" inquired Akmed. "Well, it is a sad thing, Akmed my friend, for she was looking for the perfect man," answered Selim with a sigh.

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