Heart of the Night by Naguib Mahfouz Read Free Book Online Page B

Taking a pebble from the ground, she threw it far away, in the direction of the mountain. As I watched her, surprised, she explained, ‘It is a good way to scare away reptiles and insects.’
    “I said, distrustfully, ‘God is the best protector.’ She replied forcefully, ‘It is incumbent upon us to fight evil with the language it understands.’”

    Jaafar laughed and said to me, “Believe everything I am telling you without hesitation. Do not be fooled by my present appearance. Whoever sees me now thinks that I was born in a dumpster and my only actions have been those connected to vomiting. Tell me, what do you think of love?”
    I was taken aback by the difficult nature of the question and said, “Love is what it is. I believe everything people say about it.”
    “Do you also believe that it is a miracle maker and produces wonders?” he asked.
    “I do. I am not a greenhorn, but tell me about your love, Jaafar. How was it? A barefoot shepherdess is bound to make one’s blood boil!”
    Jaafar confirmed my words. “That is how it was: a call for blood, a loud call that led to action, to madness and destruction. It invaded one’s life through doors and windows and led to crimes and suicide.”
    Surprised, I said, “But you were one of God’s holy men.”
    “In order to understand my experience, imagine that you suddenly lost your memory and became a new person.”
    “I thought that a person changes gradually.”
    “Not me. I change from one extreme to another, suddenly!”
    I offered an explanation. “Many things can, undoubtedly, happen in the obscure regions of your subconscious.”
    He had his own explanation. “Man invents logic, but surpasses it in his life. Nature, my dear man, makes use of impetuosity as well as evolution!”
    “Go on. Let me hear what you have to say, Jaafar.”
    He continued: “One day, my grandfather invited me to sit with him, then inquired about my studies. I understood immediately that he had asked me to join him for another reason, since my teachers were informing him about my exceptional progress. I reassured him about my earnestness and my aim to always please him. ‘But the road is long and full of hardships,’ he said. I replied with affected enthusiasm, ‘A believer is not deterred by the road ahead.’
    “‘Fine words, but good deeds are more important than fine words.’
    “‘This is true.’
    “He hesitated for a few seconds then said, ‘There are things that call for some consideration. I had a dream, and when I woke I made up my mind to do something about it.’
    “‘What is that dream, Grandfather?’ I asked.
    “‘It is of no importance, and dreams are easily forgotten, but what counts is the decision I made.’
    “I asked if it concerned me. ‘Of course,’ he said, ‘and you will be happy with it. I decided to marry you to an honorable girl.’
    “I was shocked and dumbfounded. I told myself that the man knew everything. How had I ever thought that an unusual evening stroll by al-Rawi’s grandson wouldn’t attract attention and provoke comments? Many would volunteer to inform my grandfather. He definitely knew everything and was trying to salvage what he could.
    “‘Anything wrong, my son?’ he asked.
    “‘The idea had not crossed my mind,’ I replied.
    “‘Think about it then.’ And he added, ‘A number of young men do not marry, for reasons beyond their control, but God has given you the means to marry. So what is the point of delaying what is considered half your religious duty?’
    “‘Give me time to think about the matter.’
    “‘I will choose an exceptional bride and will let you decide.’
    “I went back to my room in a state of extreme anger, unable to sleep. I heard the dawn call to prayer and felt a surge of enormous energy, with a strong desire to attack the walls and destroy them. The giant inside me was released and eager for confrontation, determined to get his girl at the expense of the whole neighborhood,