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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rumi realizes that in all of his searching, he has actually been waiting to be _________ as opposed to brought inside.

2. Rumi points out that while others are laughing and dancing, there are few who will hear the ________ hidden within the notes.

3. Rumi's "story gets told in various ways" including all of the following except________. He recommends that others not get too close to him.

4. Rumi advises the reader to disappear with the _________ each month and to bend like a tree limb.

5. Rumi states, in "The Prophets" no one knows if the _______ will sink or reach the harbor.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the reed when it is cut, according to the writings of Rumi?

2. What is the story of Ramahrishna that Rumi tells at the start of this section of the book?

3. To what does Rumi compare human beings who do not explore their own spirituality?

4. What does Rumi say has happened since he has been knocking on a door?

5. What will happen to a person's present life when they are going on a spiritual journey, according to the writings of Rumi?

6. What is the profession of Rumi when Barks introduces him at the beginning of this book?

7. What is the question Shams asks Rumi, which leads Rumi to believe that Shams is a great person?

8. What is the metaphor Rumi uses to urge the reader to take risks in their life?

9. What are some of the ways a person will be able to bring themselves into the present moment, according to Barks?

10. What happens after Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, according to the writings of Rumi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of translating poems from one language to another is tricky as one can never be sure whether the translation is 'right.'

Part 1: Do you think that an accurate translation is better than one which is more thoughtful?

Part 2: How do you think a poem might change during the course of being translated?

Part 3: Why do you think Coleman Barks thought it necessary to translate these poems?

Essay Topic 2

Within many of the poems that Rumi writes are references to biblical figures, even though Rumi is considered to be another religion besides Christian.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi resonates with the stories of the biblical figures?

Part 2: Does it seem to be cultural appropriation to use the biblical stories in Rumi's poems?

Part 3: How do you think stories can impact us, even if they're not 'our' stories?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Shams and Rumi is one which plays out from one page to the next in this book, a story of friendship and the sharing of knowledge.

Part 1: Why do you think Shams and Rumi got along as well as they did?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi still felt the need to be competitive with Shams?

Part 3: Do you think all relationships are competitive on some level? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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