This is an allegory, or parable, and is to be found in Kafka’s book, The Trial.

This story is absolutely simply written – there are no difficulties here: it is only the interpretation that is difficult.

A gatekeeper sits before the law. A man from the country comes to him and asks to gain entry into the law.

The gatekeeper says the man may possibly be allowed to énter later but not now.

The man sits on a stool in front of the gate for days and years. He sits there his whole life. How he gets food and drink and attends to other daily necessities is not specified.

The man grows old and is dying, while the gatekeeper apparently does not age.

The man asks why no-one but him has requested entry to the law, which everyone ”strives after”.

Finally, the gatekeeper shouts to the man that no-one else gains entry, since the entrance was assigned only to him, and he is now going to close the gate.

Readers will need to interpret this story as best they can. I for one found the interpretation that came with the story practically impossible to comprehend so I did not get much help there, if any. ( )