“The donkey roared obnoxiously at the door of his house. A damned beast with eyesores on his bulging eyes and a thrice-cursed owner - a leper dervish! After all, the sun has not risen yet. I wish I could sleep and sleep... But where can I sleep now? He lay on his back and breathed heavily. The underwear was soaked with sweat, and so was the bed linen. The damp rags smelled pungent; it was as if it had been flavored with spices, wrapped in grape leaves and then placed in a tub to marinate... Yes, it’s already morning. It’s as stuffy and dusty as the previous ten thousand, or maybe even a hundred...”