The present book tells the story of a village by the same name, a village near a large and lush river, in a fertile plain with a pleasant climate. It is exemplary among the surrounding villages. Its men plow the ground at the farming season. Its children are happy and playful. Everything is great, ovens and cookers are always working; the desert is full of grass, the herd is sated, all are cheerful, all are happy with their lives because blessings are abundant in the village. There are only two literate men in the village, the village’s mullah and Ali Agha, who is both a teacher and the school principal and based on the experience gained in the town, has many ideas in mind that are created with agreement and collaboration of the mullah. He is going to set up a few workshops in the village and boost agriculture and educate the children and villagers. In the simple and unadulterated life of the villagers, a guy by the name Pilevar shows up. He shouts ‘magic lantern’ and attracts the village kids. As the children become very interested in the, he demands money from them, then gradually encourages the men to watch the magic lantern images too. The village’s women are also mesmerized by the magic lantern. The magic lantern changes all the people, the women fancy earrings and bracelets, the kids demand city toys, and simple clothes lose their appeal for the people; until the gadgets that were used in the city show up in the village and that incident has its aftermath. The contented villagers fall in love with the Western way of life, their course of living and their purpose changes, and blessings leave their lives. However, the villagers are guided by their elders who help them to distinguish right from wrong, and . . . The main purpose of the book is the change in the lifestyle of a village as a result of infiltration by an alien agent and its restoration. The author of the book has criticized the characteristics of the Western world and has implemented the idea in the form of a readable story to attract the sympathy of the audience. The moral of the story is as follows: - To achieve independence, one must strive optimistically. - Self-reliance, self-confidence and not to be deceived by the appearance, guarantee the identity of every nation. - One must be more careful to use imported products, especially cultural products. While Asilabad is considered a book for the adolescent age group, but despite its simple language and very small volume, has been welcomed by a variety of adult audiences because of its rich content and critical subject matter, such that it has been reprinted nineteen times since the date of its first publication.

Muhammad Reza Sashar (1953-Kazroun) Muhammad Reza Sarshar is well-known writer and literary critic, studied industrial engineering. A few of his works got published before the Islamic Revolution, but most of them have been released after the Revolution. Sarshar's stories have got a religious ambience. However in some of his books, he made his best to introduce outstanding historical and religious figure. Another theme mostly seen in his works is Iran-Iraq war. He is the member and the chairman of Iran Pen Association. Some of his books have been translated and published in other countries. Among his books are: -Flea in the Oven (2011-Souroush Pubs.), -10 Stories from Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)(2014-Ghadyani Pubs.), -Look at the Camel (2011), -The Adorable Grandpa (2001-Madrese Pubs.) -Rain or no Rain (1996-Madrese Pubs.)