Rumi

Have you ever read a poem that feels like a warm hug? A 13th-century poet named Rumi wrote lines that do just that - and people still read them today.

Rumi (1207-1273) was a Persian poet, teacher, and Sufi mystic. In this one-minute talk we'll focus on his biggest gift: short, simple poems that teach love, courage, and how to think deeply about life.

He lived in the 1200s in a city called Konya (now in Turkey). His most famous work is the Masnavi, a long book of stories and poems that teach lessons with fun tales, jokes, and wise advice.

Rumi's achievements changed how people think about love and the heart. His followers started the Mevlevi order, famous for the whirling dervishes - dancers who spin like a moving prayer. About 800 years later, his poems have been translated into many languages, inspiring writers, musicians, and artists. A short line many people love says, 'What you seek is seeking you.' That idea - that love and curiosity bring people together - is why Rumi still matters.

Try reading a tiny Rumi poem - it could feel like a wise friend. His poems teach kindness, wonder, and togetherness. Rumi's simple message: love connects everyone, across time and place.