Page 46 - The Book of Rumi

“Poison!” retorted the old man, already upset by the fi rst answer.
“Bon appétit!” the deaf man responded obliviously.
The sick man, made even more upset by the last comment, bit his lips
to stop himself from swearing at his annoying visitor. The deaf man, though,
continued with his inquiries: “Which doctor is treating you?”
“Azrael, the Angel of Death!” snapped the sick man.
“May he be blessed. His presence is always good news; whomever he visits
is cured of all his pains and aches forever!”
Unaware of the damage he had done to his sick neighbor’s state of mind,
the deaf man took his hand and shook it fi rmly before taking his leave, believ-
ing that he had done his neighborly duty and brought the sick man much joy
and relief.

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