Justice and civilization

Suddenly, I saw the assistant principal Salem Zein comes out of one of these villas. The car passed him. I looked back and I found him in his car. He was undoubtedly visiting Mr Abdul Azim. I do not know Villa Abdul Azim, but my uncle Laroussi attended there the engagement ceremony of one of his acquaintances daughter. He told me about its magnificence, the luxury of its owner and the various Algerian style rooms in its various historical dimensions, architecture, furniture and carpets as well as the paintings decorating the walls. Then he commented, "There must be a rich class that encourages urbanization and builds luxury palaces, because these buildings will remain as a legacy of the country and a testimony of civilization. They are the ones who promote Algerian art, acquire paintings from Algerian artists and exhibit them, and encourage Algerian singers and musicians as well as literature and writers by buying their books. We need an enlightened rich class who taste beauty to participate in the revival of Algerian literature and arts of all kinds. Surprised by my uncle's comments, I denounced this illegal enrichment. He added, as if responding to what he read in my eyes, "If everyone lives as an ascetic like me, the earth will be a desert».

I still think about what my uncle said. I see it with the eye of Justice, so I do not like it. When I see it in the perspective of civilization, I do not hate it. We can’t look at justice and civilization with one eye. I wonder, though, "What kind of civilization can people like Mr Abdul Azim build while he wants his son success by means of cheating?"

Abdellah Khammar

First day: Temperaments and tendencies

An extract taken from the novel: Entry bell to class