Universal
Sir: This has reference to the last paragraph of Peter Quince's article on country life in England, appearing in your issue of November 25. There your columnist refers to the reply of the father of Ulysses when asked by him as to why he was planting trees at such an advanced age when he himself could not hope to enjoy the fruits. The reply had been that he was planting for Ulysses.
According to a tale from the Persian classics, a king was passing by in the countryside when he saw an old man putting seeds in the ground. The potentate had sarcastically told him: " Hunoz Durr Eeen Thangnaie Mahal/Frrakh Asth Darriae Thoollae Amal", which means: "Even now in this rowing life/Broad is the river of thine hope." The old man had answered that he was sowing not for himself but for posterity. I am writing this only to emphasise the universal myths that lie buried in different cultures and civilisations, especially as between those of the East and the West, a comparative study of which can only help to bring them together or closer. To go on about the benefits would be only to labour the ob
vious. Abdul Wahab Swamibag Road, Dacca 1, Bangladesh
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