Messenger of the Moon
Acrylic on papier-mâché, 50 x 13 x 15 cm, 250 USD
Pirouz (alternative view)
This story represents a long-standing tradition of Persian storytelling in which goodness and wisdom consistently stand against evil and oppression.
Source
This work is inspired by a story of a victorious rabbit who claims to be the Messenger of the Moon in a collection of ancient stories known as Kalila and Dimna. Originally written in Sanskrit by the Indian philosopher Bidpai, they were translated from Arabic into Middle Persian in the 12th century by Nasrallah Monshi. By using a free translation method, Monshi preserved only the essence of the original, thereby creating a distinctive work of Persian literature.
My telling of the story
A severe drought struck the Land of the Elephants, leaving the earth parched and its inhabitants suffering from thirst. To save his people, the King of the Elephants orders a search for water, eventually locating a spring in the territory of the rabbits . However, as a result of their carelessness and reliance on sheer strength, the king’s forces cause death and destruction in the rabbits’ land.
The rabbits become deeply concerned that the elephants might cause additional harm. Seeking to avoid this, the King of the Rabbits consults the wise elders before taking action. Among them is a knowledgeable and intelligent villager named Pirouz, who offers to act as the King’s envoy.
When Pirouz approaches the spring, frightened by the Elephant King’s immense power, he decides to keep his distance by delivering his message from atop a hill. There, presenting himself as the Messenger of the Moon, he conveys its warning:
The Moon says that you have committed a grave wrong by using your strength against the weak, and by defiling this spring with your presence. If you do not change your ways, the spring will be taken from you.
Fearful of the Moon’s power, the Elephant King approaches the spring, where the moonlight’s reflection shimmers on its surface. Believing that the Moon itself was moving with anger, the King is overwhelmed with fear and awe. He surrenders, and promises never again to harm nature or vulnerable creatures.
Takeaways
Through wisdom, strategy, and intelligence, the weak can defeat the brute force and violence of the powerful.
Power should never lead to arrogance.