4umi Khalil Gibran / The Wanderer / The Old, Old Wine

The Old, Old Wine

Once there lived a rich man who was justly proud of his cellar and the wine therein. And there was one jug of ancient vintage kept for some occasion known only to himself.

The governor of the state visited him, and he bethought him and said, "That jug shall not be opened for a mere governor."

And a bishop of the diocese visited him, but he said to himself, "Nay, I will not open that jug. He would not know its value, nor would its aroma reach his nostrils."

The prince of the realm came and supped with him. But he thought, "It is too royal a wine for a mere princeling."

And even on the day when his own nephew was married, he said to himself, "No, not to these guests shall that jug be brought forth."

And the years passed by, and he died, an old man, and he was buried like unto every seed and acorn.

And upon the day that he was buried the ancient jug was brought out together with other jugs of wine, and it was shared by the peasants of the neighborhood. And none knew its great age.

To them, all that is poured into a cup is only wine.

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Khalil Gibran Introductory biography Spirits Rebellious The Broken Wings A Tear and a Smile The Madman The Forerunner The Prophet The New Frontier Sand and Foam Jesus, The Son Of Man The Earth Gods The Wanderer Introduction The Wanderer Garments The Eagle and The Skylark The Love Song Tears and Laughter At the Fair The Two Princesses The Lightning Flash The Hermit and the Beasts The Prophet and the Child The Pearl Body and Soul The King Upon the Sand The Three Gifts Peace and War The Dancer The Two Guardian Angels The Statue The Exchange Love and Hate Dreams The Madman The Frogs Laws and Law-Giving Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow The Philosopher and the Cobbler Builders of Bridges The Field of Zaad The Golden Belt The Red Earth The Full Moon The Hermit Prophet The Old, Old Wine The Two Poems Lady Ruth The Mouse and the Cat The Curse The Shadow The Pomegranates God and Many Gods She Who Was Deaf The Quest The Sceptre The Path The Whale and the Butterfly Peace Contagious Seventy Finding God The River The Two Hunters The Other Wanderer Al-Nay The Garden of the Prophet Lazarus and His Beloved Satan My Countrymen I Believe In You Your Thought And Mine You Have Your Lebanon History and the Nation The Vision Visual art