
The Madman - His Parables and Poems - By Kahlil Gibran
God
My Friend
The Scarecrow
The Sleep-Walkers
The Wise Dog
The Two Hermits
On Giving and Taking
The Seven Selves
War
In this lyrical collection a solitary voice narrates the moment it sheds seven crafted masks and steps into the world as a self‑declared madman. The loss of disguise unleashes a fierce love for the sun and a paradoxical sense of safety, while the narrator’s endless pleas to a silent God echo across millennia, each ascent a patient test of faith and identity. Poetic prose weaves together solitude, the thrill of being misunderstood, and the yearning to exist beyond anyone’s expectations.
Interlaced with the madman’s musings are whimsical parables—a conversation with a scarecrow that blossoms into quiet philosophy, and other vivid dialogues that turn ordinary scenes into reflections on truth, joy, and the unseen. The pieces blend mysticism with everyday wonder, inviting listeners to contemplate the masks they wear, the silence they keep, and the solitary joy that may be found in embracing one’s own madness.
Language
en
Duration
~38 minutes (37K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by William Fishburne
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1883–1931
A Lebanese American writer, poet, and artist whose work blends spiritual reflection with plainspoken wisdom, he is best known for The Prophet, a book that has reached generations of readers around the world. His writing is lyrical but accessible, often circling back to love, freedom, grief, and what it means to live fully.
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