being depicted in all cases。 It is evident from these pictures that I’m perceived
differently by everyone。 Still; I have the strong sense that there’s a
monality; a unity to the illustrations。
My miniaturist friends were recounting a story recently; and from it; I
learned the following: The king of the Frankish infidels was considering
marriage to the daughter of the Veian Doge。 He was considering it; but
then he was plagued with the thought; “What if this Veian is poor and his
daughter ugly?” To reassure himself; he ordered his best artist to paint the
Veian Doge’s daughter; possessions; property and belongings。 The Veians
could care less about gross indecency: They’ll expose not only their daughters
to the prying eyes of the artist; but their horses and palazzos; as well。 The
gifted infidel artist could depict a maiden or a horse in such a way that you’d
be able to pick either out of a crowd。 Back in his courtyard; as the Frankish
king examined the pictures from Venice; pondering whether he should take
the maiden as his wife; his stallion; suddenly aroused; attempted to mount the
attractive mare in the painting; and the horse grooms were hard pressed to
bring the ferocious animal under control before he destroyed the picture and
its frame with his huge member。
They say that it wasn’t the beauty of the Veian mare that had aroused
the Frankish stallion—though she was indeed striking—but the act of taking a
particular mare and painting a picture in her exact likeness。 Now; the question
arises: Is it sinful to be depicted as that mare had been; that is; like a real
mare? In my case; as you can see; there is very little difference between my
image and other pictures of horses。
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Actually; those of you who pay particular attention to the grace of my
midsection; the length of my legs and the pride of my bearing will understand
that I am indeed unique。 But these excellent features point to the uniqueness
of the miniaturist who illustrated me; not to my uniqueness as a horse。
Everyone knows that there’s no horse exactly like me。 I’m simply the
rendering of a horse that exists in a miniaturist’s imagination。
Looking at me; observers frequently say; “Good God; what a gorgeous
horse!” But they’re actually praising the artist; not me。 All horses are in fact
distinct; and the miniaturist; above all; ought to know this。
Take a close look; even a given stallion’s organ doesn’t resemble another’s。
Don’t be afraid; you can examine it up close; and even take it in your hands:
My God…given marvel has a shape and curve all its own。
Now then; all miniaturists illustrate all horses from memory in the same
way; even though we’ve each been uniquely created by Allah; Greatest of all
Creators。 Why do they take pride in simply rendering thousands and tens of