Flight of the Little Fish

Based on his personal experiences, this collection of work from Iranian philosopher and poet Kazem Mostafavi is intended to make known to a wider, English speaking, readership the efforts of those dedicated to bringing about freedom and peace in the world—and especially to those suffering daily in Iran.

This collection of eight stories represents only a tiny sample of the numerous writings, originally in Farsi, by Hamid Assadian, who writes under the nom de plume of Kazem Mostafavi.

These were initially transliterated into English and then retold colloquially by Leon Menzies Racionzer. The objective is to reach a wider audience than the Farsi speaking world. Not surprisingly, as with any translation, some of the nuances and poetic innuendo are lost. However, according to those relatively fluent in the Farsi and the English language, the essential nuances and particularly the style of this author have been well maintained in the English retelling. To avoid directing the reader to a particular conclusion the author attempts to open their minds by leaving, not just the stories but also certain paragraphs, apparently unfinished. This unique style is deliberate so that each one can arrive at his or her personal conclusion.

In his own words through a translator, he explains his style thus: “I plant an idea in the mind of the reader by which he or she is haunted. Different readers with different backgrounds and life experiences may interpret it differently.”

The stories are peppered with symbolic meaning that excites the personal imagination of each reader according to their own life’s experiences and current situation.

In “Flight of the Little Fish,” a contemplative woman enters into dialogue with a fish. She enters the fish’s world to gain a new perspective on life eventually being able to mentally exchange roles with it so giving the stark contrast between imprisonment and freedom if indeed this is the interpretation the readers wishes to make.

The “Little Messiah” is the poetic tale of a little shepherd boy determined to redeem his beloved lamb imprisoned by an evil and terrifying tree. The tale is narrated around his shepherdess sister who has prior knowledge of a specific event depicting the tree’s evil intent and avaricious nature which she keeps secret from him.

“My Window” tells of a political prisoner’s thoughts and emotions in the desolate insecurity of his first day after release from prison. The moving story of his mental journey in a graveyard in the setting sun takes him from fear of death to accepting it as the welcome of a loving father.

A man confesses to murder and the ensuing enquiry reveals a surprising conclusion in “The Man Who Was Killing a Dead Man.”

In “Owl in Cement Eyes” there is a terrifying account of the Iranian intelligence services methods of interrogation and a hint of the interrogators need for forgiveness.

“Bark Town” is primarily a ghost story, not about an evil ghost but rather a mischievous gossiping one well known in Iranian folk lore. The reader is projected into the tragic poverty, deprivation, fear and utter desolation of those living in a poor shantytown one of the ghost’s regular haunts.

In “My Daughter and Two Phosphorescent Lizards.” a father is tormented with the tragic decision he had to take to save his daughter from the inevitable horrors that a woman experiences living in the misogynistic Iran of today. Only ending her life whilst still a child can she be spared from such inhumane treatment.

And, finally, “House on the Other Side of the Bridge” tells of a close knit community living in constant fear of humiliation and torture yet having no fear of death. On the contrary, they welcome death as the place of peace and tranquility, not as an escape from reality but as a victory over their oppressors. In death the bullets have no power over us we can laugh at those who fire them.