SIMON WHO WAS CALLED PETER Kahlil Gibran LEBANON Lebanon is a country in the East Mediterranean.

. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has dictated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. Lebanese literature contains cultural traits of the French as well as of Arabs. Infused with the literary spirit of both France and the Arabic world, Lebanon contributes to French and Arabic literature simultaneously. Literature of this interesting country is a reflection on the culture and society of Lebanon. Lebanon literature consists of books, poetry, proverbs, quotes etc. Representing the society of Lebanon along with tracing the cultural or political history of the country, literature of Lebanon has given the world some famous names like Kahlil Gibran, Grace Halabi, Emily Nasrallah etc.

KAHLIL GIBRAN Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero. He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again especially in the 1960s counterculture. Gibran is the third bestselling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

THE STORY Simon and his brother Andrew were fishing in the Lake of Galilee when Jesus appeared before them. He said He would lead them to an inlet where the fishes are swimming. Andrew said that they know all the inlets upon those shores. Jesus replied that He would make them fishers of men and that their nets shall never go empty. The brothers abandoned their boat and followed Him. As they were walking, Andrew invited Jesus to come to their house that night for a frugal meal, to which Jesus said yes. Upon arriving, Simons wife and her mother worshipped Jesus and began to prepare supper. Andrews daughter held on to Jesus' garment like a lost sheep that has found its shepherd. As they sat around the table to eat, Jesus spoke of the second birth of man, and of the opening of the gates of the heavens; and of angels descending and bringing peace and good cheer to all men, and of angels ascending to the throne bearing the longings of men to the Lord God. Then Jesus looked at the two brothers and told them to come with Him so they may be rested. The two brothers willingly agreed to follow Jesus and let Him weave them like cloth in His hands. Simons daughter Petronelah sat at Jesus' feet. Simons wife and her mother only wept in silence and for joy. Jesus gazed upon the old moon for a moment, then told the women to seek their beds, and that he was satisfied to have cast his net that day and caught two men.

Simons wifes mother insisted that they sleep in the house that night, but Jesus told her to enter the house and that he would sleep in the canopy of grapes and the stars. The two brothers left Jesus, and Simon had his eyes on Him until he had closed the door. For the first time, Simon knew who his Lord and Master was.

CHARACTERS Simon - the central character in the story, willing to serve Jesus until the end Andrew - Simons brother, willing to let Jesus weave him like cloth Petronelah - Simons daughter, likened to a lost sheep which has found its shepherd

LITERARY INSIGHTS THEME Often, its not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but dont know how to be. - Heath L. Buckmaster MORAL One thing: you have to walk, and create the way by your walking; you will not find a ready -made path. It is not so cheap, to reach to the ultimate realization of truth. You will have to create the path by walking yourself; the path is not ready-made, lying there and waiting for you. It is just like the sky: the birds fly, but they don't leave any footprints. You cannot follow them; there are no footprints left behind. - Osho CONFLICT MAN VS. HIMSELF - Simon did not know who his Lord and Master was until the day Jesus told them so. The preceding episode from the Bible is based on Luke 5, Mark and Matthew 4. It describes how the first disciples of Jesus Christ came to be such.