They say the swan sings once, just before it does. The meaning of this is that a fuller expression given to one's joy puts an end to life, for in the fullest expression lies life's purpose. In the life of an artist one finished work of art, and in the life of a musician his best piece of music, brings to him the warning of his departure.

Saadi says, "Every soul is born with a purpose, and the light of that purpose is kindled in his heart."

It applies not only to the soul of every person but to every living creature, however small and insignificant; even to every object this rule can be applied.

There is a saying in the East that the elephant dies at the sight of fever. This explains that death robs one of that which one has made oneself. If this be explained in other words, one makes one's death while making oneself. The heavy flesh that the elephant gathers around itself naturally gives power to the fever that becomes the cause of its death. The same is to be seen in the life of man. Every difficulty, even death, man makes with the making of himself.

It is to suggest this idea that Christ has said, "The spirit quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing."

The soul was born to be immortal, but mortality it usually earns for itself. There is nothing that man would have been afraid of if he did not possess something which he is afraid of being robbed of.

When the hermit Machandra said to Gaurikha on their journey through the wilderness, "Gaurikha, I feel afraid," Gaurikha answered, "Throw away the fear." Machandra answered, "How can fear be thrown away?" Gaurikha said, "Throw away that which causes you fear." Machandra took out from his wallet two bricks of gold and said, "These bricks of gold, must I throw them away?" "Yes," said Gaurikha, "What are they?"

Machandra threw them away, and as he went on his face turned pale. Gaurikha looked at him and said, "Why are you sad?" Machandra said, "Now we have nothing." Gaurikha said, "We have everything. Look before you, what do you behold?" And he beheld mountains of gold. Gaurikha said, "Take as much as you can, if that is your soul's striving." Machandra's soul awoke, and he said, "Nothing will I take for I know the riches of possessing nothing."