Come, I will show thee where to find one always.' He led me to the nearest tomb, and thrust my hand into the little hole which served as window.

It touched a heap of matches which he bade me take and put into my pocket, saying: 'It is not a theft, for the matches have been thrown away, as you might say.

Those foolish people will suppose the dead have struck them.

They used to put wax candles and tinder-boxes with them in the niches, but when these sulphur matches came in fashion, they preferred them for economy.

When I am working in this wood I take no fire with me, being quite sure to find the means of lighting one.
Praise be to Allah for some people's folly!' I thanked him for the wrinkle, and went back to join Rashid, who was exclaiming with the others over our deception.