This allegorical tale was my first true, in-your-face exposure to Sufism. While it didn't exactly make me want to rush out and join a tariqa, it was quite well-written and certainly very inspiring in many ways. Some familiar tales are found here, but they never seem shoehorned in. Such was the obvious ability of the poet, and it is well-appreciated. It just didn't scream out "Classic!" at me, but I did really enjoy reading.