Now the Bedouins have very strict codes of conduct. After all, living in a location where easily extracted resources are scarce (Yes, that means we are not looking at OIL), these codes were necessary to maintain a form of social order. A way to ensure brothers fight not for food, cousins learn not to steal. Hierarchy of utmost importance. Tribes learnt to cohabit and live. The Hareeb in Yemen, the Beni Sakr in Jordan.
In one particular Yemenis tribe, the Sheik (chief) decided that enough was enough. Let there be no fighting amongst the people for common goods. A form of equal distribution must be obtained. Shall it be based on merit? Will it be a pool of resources in which everyone has a stake in? Should it be based on bloodlines? It was a difficult decision.
Troubled by this, he sat on a rock to ponder over the different ways of governing his people.
Now, the Sheik had a very prepossessing daughter. A charming creature. If there be a way to describe, then her beauty was akin to the egrets that greeted the evening skies. Under the cover of the Burqa, her skin like porcelain. Those of the Chinese variety the Bedouins received as merchants travelled the Silk Road. Her hair, a dark black like the obsidian of the African volcanoes. Like cowries from the shores of Yemen, her eyes were deep and dark as if the heavens have met Earth.
Looking at her father, the daughter felt unnerved and unhappy. She did not like seeing her father forced to make unfair decisions. She then decided that the rich will pay a greater price for goods and the money be used to help the poor obtain the goods. The poor will then give back by throwing feasts on the second Friday of each month.
Oh how her people rejoiced at her wisdom. They adored her...
