Addendum #2

Now that I have started on this business of the Mullah, I've been checking back on his progeny, and find that the whole thing goes deeper and deeper. I grew up kind of aware of this fact, but had not looked into it before with an eye to research.

The Mullah, is widely regarded, it seems, as a member of that illustrious club of ancient and modern fool/sages that occur in practically every culture from every point of the compass. I drew a parallel between Nasr Eddin and Punch previously. But it seems I was being rather ungenerous with my similarity scope. He is firmly planted as one of the most wide ranging of Comic Sages, to have risen out of any culture. I did remember one thing correctly, that although his name changes according to region, his stories are pretty much exactly the same. Also that all the nations that lay claim to his invention are zealous in their belief. I remember personally certain heated arguments I witnessed as a child amongst scholarly types, as to who could rightly lay claim to him.

That aside though I think I may make a page dedicated to him. Meanwhile below is a link to a very interesting page about the roots of some pivotal Iranian literary landmarks, including our Mullah, that have seriously influenced the wide region that stretches from the borders of Europe to those of China.

http://www.geocities.com/zimbbo/history.htm