Question

why was ali called a mad man by the men at the post office

Answer 1

Ali was called a mad man because he used to visit the post office daily in early morning and he always asked if there is any letter from his daughter Miriam. Everyday he was the first person to visit the post office and the last one to leave . Hope this may help you !!

Answer 2

For five long years,Ali would unfailingly reach the post office at dawn and wait there  patiently the whole day enquiring time and again whether there was any letter for him. This was quite an unusual behaviour particularly for men of his age and frail health.This made the posf office clerk regard Ali as a mad man.