Afandism

A Question Put Three Times

Panel 1: Afandi stands on a low platform in a tiled courtyard, hand raised in a question; a man in a plain blue robe and brown cap kneels at the front of the seated crowd with his hand up. Panel 2: Afandi walks off the platform as the whole crowd throws both arms up, the blue-robed man on his feet at the front. Panel 3: the platform is empty, the townsmen argue in two facing groups with the blue-robed man among them, and Afandi leaves through the far archway seen from behind.

Swipe to see all three panels.

  1. Townsman: You put this same question to us last week, Afandi.

    Afandi: And do you know what I am going to say?

  2. Townsman: We do not know! Just tell us!

    Afandi: I will not waste a lesson on the ignorant.

  3. Townsman: Now half of us know and half do not!

    Afandi: Then let the knowing half instruct the other half.

A teacher's finest hour is the one in which he discovers he is not required.

· Wesselski (1911) Vol. 1 No. 1