She told him what had kept her away was Death. But he rejected that excuse — for Death, he said, can never come between lovers.
Dream 105
All the men in our quarter get their grooming done in Uncle Abduh’s salon — pulled in by the irresistible woman who sits behind the counter. We all want to better ourselves financially, so we have our beards trimmed there every morning in the realm of beauty.
One day as I walked down a street that was shining clean and lovely, the belle of Uncle Abduh’s shop drew close to me. I had to turn and stare at her. Suddenly she stuck out her tongue at me — then, just as quickly, her face changed into a thick block of wood.
Fleeing from her as fast as I could, a great laugh caught up with me. Peering in the direction from which it came, I saw the gorgeous creature dancing in the arms of her boss, both in the grip of merriment and glee.
Dream 106
The ministry shook with the news that a coup d’etat had taken place early that morning: the employees all gathered before the television to catch the first official bulletin. One of the older men said that he’d heard the same announcement early in his youth.
Meanwhile, I discovered that the coup’s leader was one of my closest friends. After broadcasting the fact excitedly, I relaxed with joy, convinced that life would now be laughing with me.
But my aged colleague recalled that the world had laughed for him, once, too — when he’d found himself condemned without a trial.
Dream 107
What a peculiar prayer for the dead!
Indeed, here lay a coffin upon which was written, “This is so-and-so’s funeral, carried out according to his wishes.” Furthermore, it said, “He was a worthy fellow, renowned for his streak of bad luck, as hardly a single reader knew his many writings.”
So many people came to take part or just to look on, that when the procession reached the cemetery, it was the largest demonstration ever seen on such an occasion.
By the time that night fell, the deceased’s name lived on everyone’s lips.
Dream 108
I left the beautiful train, my heart filled with a brilliant light — but around me I found a blighted landscape. Where was the garden, unmatched in any country?
I spotted a handsome man approaching: as he drew near, I recognized the one who had married my sweetheart years before. He apologized that the wars had delayed his coming. He had, he said, finally made up his mind to return this week — and that in exactly one month life would come back to his most beautiful friend in all existence.
Though I didn’t expect to, I believed him. And I hoped one day my darling and I would dwell in the Garden together, the way we’d grown up with each other in our ancient quarter.
Dream 109
This was my pupil to whom I taught music and singing, and who quickly became a wealthy star. Meanwhile, I fell into obscurity, utterly forgotten in my protégé’s shadow — so I left my beautiful and arduous profession, to take up training in the field of archaeology.
But my student gave up learning and knowledge altogether. Addicted to drugs, he let his voice go to waste. One evening we met at a party by chance: he didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him.
Many there began to wonder how we had both fallen so far — and why.
Dream 110
At the end of an exhausting errand, I came to a locked gate. Gathering all my remaining strength, I shook it till it began to open.
Beyond it I could see a lake, from which missiles were being launched into space. As each one exploded in the air, it lit up the face of a former lover — the heavens were filled with those I adored.
Yet still I wait for the glowing face of the one who taught me love, who made me long to live forever.
Dream 111
The gloom approached relentlessly, spreading toward us without pause. “They mean to kill us!” my friend said in warning — and I told him I could finally see a way out.
I couldn’t deny that the path would be hard. “But I have nothing better to offer,” I said, “so follow me if you wish.”
My friend thought for a long while, then fell in behind me — for, “All lives,” he declared, “are in the hands of God alone!”
Dream 112
What a horrendous uproar! There are voices clashing and the sound of scurrying footsteps, then other footsteps running away; a scream here and a shout there, plus bullets being fired, and a woman wailing for help from God.
I was dazed by the resemblance between her voice and that of my dearly departed mother. Quickly I dashed onto the roof where my brothers and sisters were gathered, my elder brother discussing the call for help and our mother.
Absolutely sure that I was right, I told them this was our mother’s voice, that no other’s could be like hers.
Dream 113
At last, the new minister arrived.
I presented myself to him as his parliamentary secretary, but he didn’t understand a word I said. I tried to explain my work to him, but he brushed me off nastily, ordering that I be transferred from my position — and so began my life’s suffering.
Then Fate decreed that he and I should be thrust together in an unexpected venue: prison. Once over the shock, I began to remind him of our first encounter and all that came from it — until he himself recalled it, expressing his regret and apologizing for what he’d done to me.
At this, I seized upon our being held in the same place to tell him about the job of parliamentary secretary.
Dream 114
The new housemaid came, accompanied by some of her relatives. It’s almost as though they wanted to inspect the place, to be sure it was suitable for their lovely daughter.
Yet she did not stay with us more than half a day — and left anger and anxiety behind her. Then one evening I spied her slinking out of a neighbor’s flat, in a frankly licentious state.
Suddenly, the hidden truth struck me, and I saw what they were looking for when they visited our house.
Dream 115
A dispute over repairs to our house arose between the lady who lives in the lower floor and the landlady, who dwells above.