You will find short stories on this site. Most are autobiographical. Some are fiction.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

PREFACE:

Recently I was enjoying breakfast with friends here in Astoria. Our conversation was about forms of government and the benefits of benevolent dictatorships. Someone said, “Saudi Arabia has an irredeemable form of dictatorship”.

Reflecting on this statement, through the lens of my six years in Saudi Arabia, I find that it is not accurate. There are aspects of Saudi governance that are clearly beneficial. First, is that there is no sign of poverty among the Sunni population. Second, is that there is universal free public education and health care. Third is that the average person does not have to worry about theft in Saudi Arabia. Graft and corruption yes, but that is for the upper crust. The reason is that there strict mores regarding ownership of things and severe punishment when caught.

INTRODUCTION:

As in any culture, mores are taught in many ways. One of these is by stories. Stories which are understood to be true but could just as well be myth. In either case they serve to establish moral principles upon which the society is based. One such story, told to me by a Saudi student, is about respecting other people’s property.

THE STORY:

A Bedouin goat herder stopped at an ein (an oasis) so he and his goats could find water and rest in shade of palm trees. His livelihood depended on his walking with his goats so that they could find the sparse forage. It was a wonderful relief to stop for this rest. After resting, he got up to wander among the palms and pomegranate bushes that populated the oasis. As he strolled he noticed a large sack, leaning against a tree. He investigated and found it contained coffee beans. A bag of coffee is a valuable thing. He left it, knowing that one should never take anything which does not belong to him.

Later, as he led his goats to the market town he thought “I will report this bag of coffee to the emir of the province and perhaps he will reward me for my honesty.” While in town he attended the Provincial Emir’s modulese.

I will come back to the goat herd’s story, but first, it is important that you know about the institution of the modulese. In each province, and also at the highest level of the national government, the leader, the emir of a province or the Saudi king in the case of the national government, holds a monthly modulese. Modulese is an opportunity to present issues to the government. It occurs in the great hall of the palace which is open to any male Saudi so that he can come and present his appeal or grievance directly to the head of the government. Such events start with a meal as it is the Saudi tradition to treat guests with generosity and respect.

While teaching there I was invited to attend a provincial modulese. It was held in a large hall in the providential palace. There were approximately 40 men in attendance. They represented all levels of social status. Some were there for political and social contacts. Others were there to present petitions to the emir. We sat on carpets that lined opposite walls of this long narrow room. At an appointed time servants entered with large platters of savory rice. Draped over each mound of rice was a steamed goat. Only the head, hooves, skin, and entrails were removed. The platters were placed on the floor in a row down the length of the room. The men gathered around each platter. They kept their left hand out of sight behind them. From this position, using only their right hand and no utensils, they tore bite-sized pieces of meat from the goat. Alternatively, they would take a fist of the savory fried rice, squeeze it into a ball, and eject the ball from their fist into their mouths with their thumb. They ate this way in silence. When done, they rose, washed their hands in a large fountain like sink, and moved back to their place on the floor along two long walls. When all the men had finished, the platters were removed.

At the far end of the room from the entry and kitchen door, a large cushioned chair stood on a small platform. This was the only chair in the entire space. It was more like a thrown than a chair. There were two doors on either side of the chair. When all the men had washed their hands and returned to their places, two tall guards in traditional garb with turbans and large swards emerged from the two doors. They stood, at attention, on either side of the thrown. A short time later the emir, a smallish chubby fellow in an elaborate robe and head scarf, emerged from one of the doors and took his place on the thrown. He greeted his guests and described the procedure of Modulese. At a signal from the emir each man, with a petition, would approach, pay homage, and present his petition to the emir. If the petition was brief, the emir would read it while the citizen stood before him. The emir may ask questions or even give a referral for action to a scribe, who stood behind one of the guards. The man would thank the emir, bow, and leave the room.

So it was, in such a setting, that the goat herd presented his petition to the emir of the Eastern Providence. Looking at the petition the emir asked the goat herd, “How do you know that the bag contained coffee?” The goat herd explained, “ I nudged it with my toe, sire.“ The emir then turned to the guard on his left and said “Take this man out and sever his toe for touching that which was not his.”