A sixteen-year-old boy on a journey of self-discovery meets up with a hobo, claiming to be an Arab, who tells him of his own search for the center of the universe.
Explores the history, traditions, and beliefs of the Arab culture, discussing the upbringing of Arab children, the intense concern with honor and courage, the treatment of women in Muslim nations, and the Arabs' tendency towards extreme behavior.
Provides background on Arab culture; discusses and presents examples of Arab verbal, musical, and material arts as well as customs and traditions; presents approaches to Arab folklore scholarship; and includes several further reading lists.