It's a Greek thing: you might not understand, but then again might

People from the West who find themselves living in the middle east because of 9-11 and their discontent with U.S. neo-colonialism are people's whose cultural roots are the pre-Islamic Middle East. This means that they often undergoe a double shift--with an interest in Arabic language and culture as well as an interest in this area's shared cultural roots. I am one of those people.

Thus:

Donald Mastronarde, An Introduction to Attic Greek (Berkeley: U of Cal press, 1998) p 127. sec 2. 1-5


1. ο των Ελληνων στρατηγος εν εκεινη τη χωρα δεκα ημερας μενει και χρηματα λαμβανει παρα των βαρβαρων οι επι τη θαλαττη οικοθσιν. εφοβουντο δ’ οι γεροντες και αι μητερες υπερ των παιδων, αλλ’ οπλιται τινες αγαθοι τους ναυτας κακον τι ποιεν εκεινους εκωλυον.

Trans: The general of the Athenians stays in that land ten days and takes money from the barbarians who live by the river. And both the old men and the mothers fear for the children, but some noble warriors prevented them doing any bad.

2. μετα ταυτα η στρατια ελαυνει επτα στραδια και αφικνειται εις ποταμον Χαλον ονομα και εις γεφυραν τιν αρχαιαν ην εφυλαττε πληθος ανδρων ισχυρων.

Trans: after these things the army marches seven stades and arrives at a river named Chalon and a certain ancient bridge which was guarded by a lot of fierce men.

3.κατηγορει μεν ο διδασκαλος, εφευγε δ’ ο κλωψ, εδικαζον δ’ οι πλουσιοι.
Trans: on the one hand the teacher accuses, and the thief flees the charge; but the majority adjudicate.
4. το μεν προτερον βουλευμα ουτως γιγνεται, το δ’ υστερον ωδε—το πλητηος τω Δημοσθενει επειθετο.
On the one hand the former plan comes to be in this way; on the other hand the latter plan in this way: the majority gave it to Demosthenes (to decide).

5. εζητουν οι γεροντες αρχαια γραμματα, αλλ’ υπο παιδων τινων εκρθπτετο.
The old men sought the ancient letters, but they were hidden by certain children.