The Arousing of Thought

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I shall do this without fail, moreover, because I just now again remember the story of what happened to a Transcaucasian Kurd, which story I heard in my quite early youth and which in subsequent years, whenever I recalled it in corresponding cases, engendered in me an enduring and inextinguishable impulse of tenderness. I think it will be very useful for me, and also for you, if I relate this story to you somewhat in detail.

It will be useful chiefly because I have decided already to make the “salt,” or as contemporary pure-blooded Jewish businessmen would say, the “Tzimus” of this story, one of the basic principles of that new literary form which I intend to employ for the attainment of the aim I am now pursuing by means of this new profession of mine.

This Transcaucasian Kurd once set out from his village on some business or other to town, and there in the market he saw in a fruiterer’s shop a handsomely arranged display of all kinds of fruit.

In this display, he noticed one “fruit,” very beautiful in both color and form, and its appearance so took his fancy and he so longed to try it, that in spite of his having scarcely any money, he decided to buy without fail at least one of these gifts of Great Nature, and taste it.

Then, with intense eagerness, and with a courage not customary to him, he entered the shop and pointing with his horny finger to the “fruit” which had taken his fancy he asked the shopkeeper its price. The shopkeeper replied that a pound of the “fruit” would cost two cents.

Finding that the price was not at all high for what in his opinion was such a beautiful fruit, our Kurd decided to buy a whole pound.

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Transcaucasian Kurd

Transcaucasia

Transcaucasia, also known as The South Caucasus, is a geographical region on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Caucasian

In the United States the root term Caucasian is used (somewhat incorrectly) as a synonym for "white" (i.e. of European, Middle Eastern or North African ancestry.

Kurd

The Kurdish people are an ethnic group native to the mountainous region of Kurdistan which spans parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The Kurdish population is estimated to be between 30 and 45 million.

Etymologically, Kurd means "mountain dweller," and hence can symbolize an individual interested in higher things.

Trancaucasian Kurd

The term 'Trancaucasian Kurd' could thus be regarded symbolically as a North American/ European person who is interested in higher things (a mountain dweller).

salt

In The Bible salt is used metaphorically to signify: permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.

Jesus says to a crowd of people, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?"

Tzimus

The origin of the word “Tzimus” is not entirely clear. "Tsimes" (sometimes spelled tsimmes or tzimmes) is a Yiddish word for an Ashkenazi stewed dish made variously of carrots, prunes and sometimes meat. It is not salty, but sweet, and for that reason it is particularly associated with Rosh Hashanah (New Year). This is probably not the origin of Gurdjieff's “Tzimus.”

Most likely, Gurdjieff borrowed “Tzimus” from Russian. It is a Russian slang word, meaning "pith" or "essence," and is a word favored by Russian Jews.

village

The word village reinforces the idea of the Kurd representing essence. He is a countryman and a village dweller. The country is symbolic of essence.

town

Contrasting with village and country, the town symbolizes personality.

fruit

The word is wrapped in quotes, indicating most likely the metaphorical meaning that the fruit he refers to is The Tales.

gifts of Great Nature

Fruit can properly be reagarded as gifts of Nature. This calls to mind the words of Christ, “By their fruits ye shall know them” Matthew 7:16-20

courage not customary to him

This is a curious phrase, since it takes little courage to try something new, unless of course, it is essence stepping forward.

horny finger

This seems an unusual turn of phrase, but is consistent with the metaphorical use throughout The Tales of the horns indicating wisdom. The index finger, the one you normally point with, also called the finger of Jupiter, is usually associated with wisdom.