Who knows how my love grows? Who knows where the time goes?
Once upon a time, an island existed where all feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, and all others, including Love. One day, it was announced to the feelings the island would sink, so, all made boats and left, except for Love.
Love wanted to hold out until the last moment. When the island had almost sunk, Love asked for help.
Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can’t. There's a lot of gold and silver in the boat. There's no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity, who was, likewise, passing by and in a beautiful vessel. "Please, Vanity, help me!", cried out Love. To this Vanity said, "I can’t help you, Love. You're all wet and might damage my boat."
Sadness passed close by, too, and Love asked, "Sadness, may I go with you?" "Love, I'd like to take you with me, but I'm so sad I need to be by myself."
Happiness passed by Love, and she was so happy she did not even hear when Love called out to her for help.
Suddenly, a voice was heard, "Come, Love, I'll take you with me." This voice was that of an elder. Love went with this elder, not knowing where they were going. When reaching dry land, the elder departed on his own way. Love, feeling so blessed and overjoyed, she forgot to find out who was the elder. So, Knowledge, also an elder, being on shore, Love asked the identity of the elder. Knowledge said, "Time." "Time?", asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled and answered, "For only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."
The subject tonight is Love And for tomorrow night as well, As a matter of fact I know of no better topic For us to discuss Until we all Die!
*Hafiz (Sufi, c. 1320), "The Subject Tonight is Love," Trans. Daniel Ladinsky.
