Ramiz Alkhishin, the author's alter ego, is a grocer. He has a passion for a life that is as independent as possible from its surroundings. To him the trendy place to be in is the one to avoid, while the traditional road to follow is the one to by-pass. He was once asked as to what is the most appealing feature of animals? Their indifference to what I think and believe was his reply. Ramiz through thirty-nine dialectic scenes looks at life through the eyes of animals. A rabbit, upon seeing the title of this book, had the following dialogue with an owl: Rabbit: How come you never smile? Owl: Who said I don't? Rabbit: Your face says so. Owl: Ah; that sort of smile. Rabbit: Is there another kind? Owl: Unpublicized, reflecting inner tranquility. Rabbit: But then it is not apparent? Owl: Why does it need to be? Rabbit: We may otherwise assume you are unhappy. Owl: Why should that concern me?
