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The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water/El Leon Que Se Vio En El Agua
As he gapes and growls at his ferocious reflection in a pool of water as shiny as a mirror, a terrified lion grows desperately thirsty.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
6 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Idries Shah
420 books432 followersIdries Shah (Persian: ادریس شاه), also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi (Arabic: سيد إدريس هاشمي), was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 2, 2019
The Lion Who Saw Himself In The Water.
This charming tale, possible to overlook or to consign to the purview of two to seven year olds, is for all ages.
A butterfly whispers in the ear of a thirsty lion while the other animals in the jungle look on. The lion sees that what is frightening him, is merely a reflection, and a reflection of himself at that.
One may wonder about mirrors and reflections and the symbolism of butterflies but if you are five years old, you will fall in love with this tale and the colours and the drawings and that will be enough.
This charming tale, possible to overlook or to consign to the purview of two to seven year olds, is for all ages.
A butterfly whispers in the ear of a thirsty lion while the other animals in the jungle look on. The lion sees that what is frightening him, is merely a reflection, and a reflection of himself at that.
One may wonder about mirrors and reflections and the symbolism of butterflies but if you are five years old, you will fall in love with this tale and the colours and the drawings and that will be enough.
January 29, 2021
I was gifted a copy of The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water by Hoopoe Books as a part of Multicultural Children's Book Day. I enjoyed reading this book with my Kindergarten students and watching as their faces lit up while making connections to the idea of confronting your fears. This lovely story written by Idries Shah and illustrated by Ingrid Rodriguez is a beautiful example of a teaching-story, which is a tool that helps teach specific universal concepts or emotions. I find that read alouds are an excellent way to address themes or emotions occurring in young students. These stories provide them with strategies and an understanding of these concepts, allowing them to problem-solve or confront feelings more independently.
The writing in The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water is very accessible for young children as it is written in a very matter of fact tone. My students immediately fell in love with the colorful images on each page. They also smiled and laughed along as they saw the vivid expressions of the animals running away from the lion. As the lion demonstrated his fear, they thought of their own fears. And when the lion, with encouragement from the other animals, nervously approached drinking the water, my students felt relief and excitement. They shared how they, too, could try something they were scared of, but it was important to have the encouragement and support of those around them. This book served as a wonderful conversation starter for talking about fears and feeling comfortable to share them. I was definitely a fan of this book and would use it again with my students in the future!
#ReadYourWorld
The writing in The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water is very accessible for young children as it is written in a very matter of fact tone. My students immediately fell in love with the colorful images on each page. They also smiled and laughed along as they saw the vivid expressions of the animals running away from the lion. As the lion demonstrated his fear, they thought of their own fears. And when the lion, with encouragement from the other animals, nervously approached drinking the water, my students felt relief and excitement. They shared how they, too, could try something they were scared of, but it was important to have the encouragement and support of those around them. This book served as a wonderful conversation starter for talking about fears and feeling comfortable to share them. I was definitely a fan of this book and would use it again with my students in the future!
#ReadYourWorld
October 31, 2022
That reflection is not the same as the real thing.
January 30, 2011
This book was super cute!!!
I remember seeing this website in Dr. Mays class for electronic field trip. This however is my first navigating through the website and it was really interesting! I love how this website gives access to different languages. Choosing books by color code, age range, and reading level is a great and easy way to find different books on the website.
I prefer to have the actual book in my hand (I don't know why?!). It would still be a nice tool to use in the classroom for students.
The mission of ICDL was clear and understandable and the website represented the mission very well.
I would definitely use this website in my classroom during free time, computer time, and etc. students would love the idea of reading a book on the computer.
I remember seeing this website in Dr. Mays class for electronic field trip. This however is my first navigating through the website and it was really interesting! I love how this website gives access to different languages. Choosing books by color code, age range, and reading level is a great and easy way to find different books on the website.
I prefer to have the actual book in my hand (I don't know why?!). It would still be a nice tool to use in the classroom for students.
The mission of ICDL was clear and understandable and the website represented the mission very well.
I would definitely use this website in my classroom during free time, computer time, and etc. students would love the idea of reading a book on the computer.
October 8, 2013
The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water, written by Idries Shaw and Illustrated by Ingrid Rodriguez. Hoopoe Books, ISHK. (Available on ICDL at http://www.childrenslibrary.org/icdl/... in English, Spanish, Dari, and Pashto. Audio available in English and Spanish).
Idries Shah shares this light-hearted tale that was originally told by 13th century Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi and that has been passed down in oral storytelling tradition in Dari and Pashto. This is the tale of a kind lion who faces a frightening surprise when he goes to the reflection pool for a drink of water and learns that things may not always be what they appear.
Idries Shah shares this light-hearted tale that was originally told by 13th century Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi and that has been passed down in oral storytelling tradition in Dari and Pashto. This is the tale of a kind lion who faces a frightening surprise when he goes to the reflection pool for a drink of water and learns that things may not always be what they appear.
January 31, 2011
We were introduced to ICDL last semester so I was already familiar with how to use the site and navigate through it. Personally I like having the book in my hand. I like the way a book smells. (that makes me sound creepy, but it is true!) I love IDCL's mission! I think they are really on to something. I wish they had audio along with their books so we could listen to the stories in the different languages. I plan on having different languages among my children's library. I think it will be great exposure to the different languages around the world. They can look at the pictures and try to figure out what the story is about... then we can find the English version on ICDL! =)
July 21, 2020
The Lion Who Saw Himself in The Water.
This charming tale is for all ages, not only for two to seven year olds.
A butterfly whispers in the ear of a thirsty lion while the other animals in the jungle look on. The lion sees that what is frightening him is merely a reflection, and the reflection is himself.
One may wonder about mirrors and reflections and the symbolism of butterflies but if you are five years old, you will fall in love with this tale and the coloured drawings.
This charming tale is for all ages, not only for two to seven year olds.
A butterfly whispers in the ear of a thirsty lion while the other animals in the jungle look on. The lion sees that what is frightening him is merely a reflection, and the reflection is himself.
One may wonder about mirrors and reflections and the symbolism of butterflies but if you are five years old, you will fall in love with this tale and the coloured drawings.
August 11, 2008
This book of Shah's I liked the least... the story wandered and didn't make sense in places... but Taisir liked to see the pictures of all the animals... the illustrator of this book is no where near as skillful as Rose Marie Santiago was in energizing and telling the story...
May 15, 2009
This story is a terrible non-sence !
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews