two men, a muslim and a jew, set out on foot from neighbouring towns, on a pilgrimage to jerusalem they meet upon the road, and agree to share in the journey.

when the Khamsin blows, they choke the same dust when a spring is found, they drink the same waters in the evening twilight, they break their bread and share stories of their youth over firelight.

they arrive in jerusalem, and go their separate ways the muslim meets another one of his people this other also comes to the holy city on pilgrimage held aloft on a palanquin, floating over the road his feet never touched the road.

who is the compatriot of the one who originally set out on the road?