THE MAD MAN
KHALIL GIBRAN
Once there lived a man who had a valley--full of needles. And one day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: “Friend, my son’s garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?”
And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned discourse on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he should go to the temple.
Figurative Language
Symbolism:
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"There once lived a man who had a valley full of needles"
Software Findings Reoccurring Words
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Temple, Needle, Gave
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With these findings we can conclude that this piece has to do with giving to one another
Interpretation
My interpretation of "On Giving and Taking" revolves around the idea of selfishness. The need for selfishness is non relevant in the eyes of the narrator. In order to take we must give. The sense of giving benefits both the giver and receiver. The narrator wanted to pass on the message to Jesus and his mother.
