It happened long ago in Japan that a blind man went to visit a friend. They talked far into the evening, and when the blind man was taking his leave, the friend offered him a lantern, a little thing of bamboo and paper with a candle inside.

“A lantern?” said the blind man. “Why should I need one? I am blind – day and night are the same to me.”

“True,” said his friend. “But think that others are not blind, and if you have no light they may run into you.”

Therefore the blind man accepted the lantern, and set off toward home. But after he had walked some way, he was startled when someone stumbled into him, almost knocking him over. Surprised, the blind man said sharply, “Can’t you watch where you are going? Don’t you see my lantern?”

“I beg your pardon, brother,” replied the stranger, “but it seems your candle has burnt out.”