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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In one of the poems in Chapter 2, Book 2, the girl that a king falls in love with becomes ill, which concerns him greatly. What does he do?

2. In one of Rumi's stories in Book 2, Chapter 1, a man is healed by what?

3. Rumi advises people to accept help from holy scriptures and then:

4. In the poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, about the king who loves the girl, what is Rumi's message about real love?

5. When King Solomon woos a queen in Book 2, Chapter 1, he asks that she do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the countryside man's experience in "Town and Country."

2. What does King Solomon want from the Queen of Sheba?

3. Why does Rumi advise people to let go of scriptures after reading them?

4. Summarize the folklore Coleman Barks refers to when introducing the poems of Book 2, Chapter 2 to the reader.

5. How does the story of the king and the girl he loves end?

6. Summarize the shopkeeper's experience in "Town and Country."

7. What are some of the lessons inherent in the story of the Friend assisting the prisoner through the prayer rug?

8. How did Islam come about?

9. In the story where the king is in love with a girl, what ailment has afflicted her?

10. Explain the significance of candles in this last section of the book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Rumi's poems involving a mouse and a frog. What key points is Rumi trying to make through these poems? What lessons can a person learn from these poems and apply to his or her life?

Essay Topic 2

Explain how at times, Rumi ventures into the darker aspects of the world to illuminate higher spiritual truths. Refer to some of his short stories and his metaphors to address this topic.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze what the poet says and infers with regards to ethics. Then, compare and contrast some of his ideas with modern-day ethics thinking. Use examples from his poems to support your observations.

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