Story No. 6

I remember a night when a dear friend came through the door. I sprang up so wildly, beside myself, that my sleeve brushed out the lamp. A vision came to me that lights up the darkness with the glow of its face. I marveled at my luck: where did this good fortune come from? He sat down and began to scold: 'You saw me at once, so why did you put out the lamp? What did you mean by it?' I said: 'For two reasons. First, I thought the sun itself had risen. Second, this verse came into my mind:' 'When a tiresome, heavy guest comes near the candle, rise up and snuff it out in front of everyone.' 'But if it is a sweet-lipped one whose smile is like sugar, take hold of his sleeve and put the candle out.'