A Tale for Tomorrow

adjustments, enough space between the beds to circulate without hindrance.

Upon each bed at one end a blanket and two sheets were folded and at the other end a couple of pillows had been placed. When all had considered this novel situation born of their meeting – and not of some mysterious incomprehensible intervention -, their breaths calmed and their postures eased; a woman with swarthy skin and an abundant black mane of hair, a little corpulent but very swift and light-footed, made a sign with her joined hands, turned away and went out of the room; they all felt that she would bring back something they needed. A few moments passed, during which each one attempted somehow to situate oneself; this woman returned carrying a large oil lamp, perhaps made of bronze, which she placed right in the middle of the inner circle and, after saluting with joined hands every direction, lit up. There was a great unanimous sigh, followed by a natural, reverent in- gathering. Some of them, mostly amongst the teenagers, leaned against their backrest or stretched sideways facing the flame; the night was growing more tangible at the windows; one could just divine a few bird-cries, nothing else.

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