The end of the road

Author: Ali Al-Jarim

The story "The End of the Journey" is considered a continuation of the story "The Ambitious Poet"
In it, Ali Al-Jarim re-evokes the character of Al-Mutanabbi according to the historical context in which this character emerged. This story revolves around the shattering of Al-Mutanabbi's hopes on the rock of illusion that he sought in Egypt. He had expected Kafur Al-Ikhshid to be generous and appreciated, and he had hoped that he would appoint him as emir of one of the provinces. However, Al-Mutanabbi expected favor from the wrong people. His hopes were dashed and he fell from the heights of his ambition to see baseness and vileness in the image of a black slave whom fate had elevated from the lowliness of a vagabond and clothed him in the crowns of kings. Ali Al-Jarim reveals the power of Al-Mutanabbi's poetic sword in satirizing Kafur Al-Ikhshid. With his poetic words, which carry within them compelling meanings, he made him taste various kinds of cups of poetic torment, in order to take revenge on Kafur, who had humiliated and banished him.