Coal, what makes you so black?
--I am the evil of the ages accumulated in the heart of the earth.
What is your penalty?
--I must pass through a trial by fire.
What becomes of you in the end?
--I turn into a diamond.

Earth, to the clouds: "Why did you come back after once you had deserted me?"
--The heavens would not have us before we had reconciled ourselves with you.

Little rosebud, what do you hold between your hands?
--The secret of my beauty.

Sunflower, what are you?
--I am the eye of the seeker who searches for the light.

Death, what are you?
--I am the shadow of life.
Death, of what are you born?
--I am born of ignorance.
Death, where is your abode?
--My abode is in the mind of illusion.
Death, do you ever die?
--Yes, when pierced by the arrow of the seer's glance.
Death, whom do you draw near to you?
--I draw him closer who is attracted to me.
Death, whom do you love?
--I love him who longs for me.
Death, whom do you attend?
--I readily attend him who calls on me.
Death, whom do you frighten?
--I frighten the one who is not familiar with me.
Death, whom do you caress?
--The one who lies trustfully in my arms.
Death, with whom are you severe?
--I am severe with him who does not readily respond to my call.
Death, whom do you serve?
--I serve the godly, and when he returns home I carry his baggage.

Boat:--I take you in my bosom on the water.
Wagon:--I carry you on my back on the land.

Roseflower, why are your lips drooping?
--I am thinking over my glorious past.

Why do you rise, wave, with the coming of the wind?
--To receive the message it brings.

Moth:--I gave you my life.
Flame:--I allowed you to kiss me.

Sea, why is your color blue?
--It is heaven reflected in my white heart.

Earth, tell me your moral principle.
--I lay myself before those who pass over me, and those who come unto me, to them I open my heart.

Night, why do you cry so mournfully?
--I cry over the loving souls whom life has thrown apart, and those whom destiny will separate one day.
Night, why are you so dark?
--Light has left me.
Night, what makes you so beautiful?
--The coming of the moon, which has brought me wisdom's message.

Wind, what makes the sea respond to you so wholeheartedly?
--In her I have touched her deepest chord.
Wind, what have you done to thrill the whole being of the sea to passion?
--Nothing, only given a kiss.

"So" gives rise to an argument; "Why?" continues it; and it ends in "No."

What sense is there, O moth, in burning yourself in trying to kiss the light?
--My joy in it is greater than my sacrifice.

Waves, why does the wind come and then go from you?
--It comes to wake us, and leaves us to solve the problem among ourselves.

Moving waves, the wind has left you and you are still in commotion.
--We are still repeating the word it has taught us; it moves our whole being to ecstasy.
Waves, why do you all become excited and then all calm together?
--Because behind our individual action there is one impulse working.
Rising waves, what motive is behind your impulse?
--The desire to reach upwards.

Sea, what is it that makes you so chaotic?
--No sooner does the air whisper to my ears the message of wisdom, than an enormous trouble begins within myself.

Storm, you invade us suddenly without any warning!
--I send my ultimatum by the hand of the wind, before starting gunfire.
Storm, why are the clouds being scattered now?
--I have given orders for demobilization.
Storm, why do you send the rain after you have gone?
--To make peace with the earth.

Man: Devil, will you be my friend?
Devil: I am at your disposal.

Waves: Do we not lay ourselves in complete surrender before you for you to pass over us? Then listen to our request: throw into the water those you carry in your bosom.
Boat: No, I am not like you who drown beneath your feet those who seek refuge in your arms. The ones whom I hold in my heart, either I sink with them or I carry them safely to their destination.

Earthly riches, explain to me your character.
I fly from the hand that holds me,
I escape from the one who pursues me,
I fall into his purse who collects me,
I live with him who spares me,
I leave the one who does not look after me,
I keep away from him who has me not.
The one who does not possess me is poor indeed,
but the one who possesses me is poorer still.