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actors are not that skilful, for at most they change their faces or their clothes; but the temple-going man changes his very soul according to his needs. See him at his shop, look into his eyes -- he is a different man. See him as he sits in the temple, telling his beads -- he is another man altogether. Then as he leaves the temple, he is again totally different. He who was reading the Koran in the Masjid just an hour before, will feel no qualms to knife a man on the call of "Islam in danger!" He who was reading the Geeta a while ago, will feel nothing it setting fire to houses in the name of the Hindu religion. It does not take men of such religiousness long to change; and as long as such people are considered religious people, irreligion cannot be wiped out from this world. To continue our story, however.
The fakir said: "Praise be to the Lord! How these people have changed! Never mind, if you are different people, I shall go." He went to the Masjid and said: "Friends, I ask the same question again, for today I am told there are different people, though many faces look familiar. 'Is there God?'"
The people replied in one voice: "No, God is not. We do not believe in Him, now you explain."
The fakir said: "Then the matter is over. When there is no God, where is the need to talk about Him? When He does not exist, then to what does your question relate? Is it in connection with that which is not? Which God, What kind of God, do you ask about?"
The people were floundered. It was difficult to get anywhere with this man. He told them: "Go back home. Why do you come at all in search of that which is not? What is your quest when you have found out He does not exist? Forgive me now and let me go."
The wise men of the village were now all the more anxious to hear him for they were convinced he held a secret. He was no ordinary fakir -- for an ordinary person is always eager to talk; give him a chance and he will speak. But this man turns down all occasions to speak! There is a mystery about this man.
On the third Friday they went to him again and put the same request, "But I have already been twice and the matter is ended," the fakir
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