Out of the stream of days there rose, quite unexpectedly, a high and powerful tide which changed fortunes and created the world anew. One morning the whole ministry learned of the decision to appoint Bahjat Noor, the Director General, as Under Secretary of State. Thus the position of Director General became vacant for the first time in a very long period. For two weeks many hearts were beating in continuous and uneasy expectation until it was decided to promote Abdullah Wajdi, the Director of Administration, to Director General; so he became a full-fledged “Excellency.” Another heart which had been tranquil for a long time began to beat with excitement.

“I’m the only eligible person,” Othman said to himself. “I’m first in line for promotion and nobody has got my ability or experience. What are they going to do?”

A few weeks elapsed without anything happening. Othman spared no effort in pleading his cause with both the new Director General and the Under Secretary of State.

In a conversation, he heard someone express the opinion that the position of Director of Administration was a sensitive one. He asked him what he meant.

“It is not only experience and qualifications that count when such appointments are made. Social status matters too,” said the man.

“That’s only true in the case of an Under Secretary of State or a Minister,” Othman retorted with indignation. “As for Director of Administration or even Director General, these are jobs open to the common people. This has been the case since British officials stopped taking them.”

His anguish did not last for long, for the decision to promote him to Director of Administration was made the same month. Later he used to remember that day with a kind of passionate excitement, and he would say to himself, “The miracle took place in a twinkling!” And he would also say, “In terms of seniority there is no one now between me and the Director General.”

But how did the miracle take place? He had already come to believe that he was going to be pensioned off before anybody ahead of him in the official line had moved. But a Cabinet change took place in which the Under Secretary of State was made Minister, and as a result there was that happy and unexpected shuffle lower down.

Bahjat Noor, now Under Secretary of State, said to him, “I’ve promoted you in the face of many objections.”

Othman thanked him warmly. “But why the objections?” he inquired sadly.

“You’ve been too long in government service not to be able to guess the answer to your question.”