The Monastery of Gaharin Al'Ilam admits only one disciple each year. When the designated time for entry comes, hundreds of young men flock before the gates of the ancient monastery, asking to be admitted.

The abbot sees each aspirant for a brief interview. It is said that he asks only one question, but no one knows what that is. Any aspirant who fails to give the correct answer is made to drink a mysterious concoction which expunges the interview from his memory. There are certain years when no one of the applicants is able to answer the abbot's question.

Bumharamin, a young man, is so zealous about entering this great monastery that he decides subject matters and holes up by himself in a cabe. He studies the history of various nations, the different branches of science, the wisdom and teachings of many religions, and the great literatures of the world. Last but not least, he memorizes the Koran and the Bible word for word!

He emerges from the cave after five years, confident that he can answer the abbot's mysterious question. When the season for accepting aspirants comes, Bumharamin is among the first to be called. He is led by a monk to the aged abbot's chambers. Seated on an elevated chair, the abbot looms over Bumharamin. The aspirant's heart beats fast with excitement as he waits for the abbot's question.

"Bumharamin," says the abbot solemnly, "ask yourself this question: 'Who am I?'"

Bumharamin gapes at the venerable old man. He cannot utter a single word because he does not know what so say. Thus. like many others before him, he is quietly led out of the monastery, never to be heard from again.

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