One rainy afternoon, a young traveler approached his small shop, which was tucked away in a quiet corner. The traveler wanted to buy a small, silver compass, but he was short on coins. He tried every trick in the book: he told stories of his long journey, he pleaded for a "student’s price," and he even tried to offer a trade of a weathered map.

He then reached into a small drawer and pulled out a simple, unadorned copper compass. He placed it on the counter. "The silver one is for those who want to look rich. This one is for those who actually need to find their way. Keep your coins. Use them to get where you're going."

The traveler realized then that being "like a wall" wasn't about being heartless—it was about being solid enough to hold a foundation for others.

Selim finally looked up, his eyes sharp but calm. "A wall does not move because it has a job to do," he said, his voice surprisingly soft. "It protects what is inside from the storm. If I moved for every story, I would have nothing left to protect."