Before he finished speaking, the light faded, and it grew so dark that he could not see the plate. Worse than that, Hassan could not feel it, but he could hear the Magician as if he were enjoying his meal very much indeed.
'I say!' exclaimed Hassan.
'Well, what do you say?'
'I beg your pardon. I didn't mean it—really,' said Hassan, and suddenly it began to grow lighter again—so light that he could see the Magician, who seemed to have a fresh plate full of turkey. 'I'll have that, please!' cried Hassan, and once more the Magician brought him the plate. As soon as Hassan took it in his hands, he looked at the nice white slices, and he was just going to grumble as usual when he remembered in time. So instead of saying what he intended to say, he ate his dinner in a sensible manner.
And now Hassan began to understand that when he felt inclined to grumble the darkness grew blacker, but that when he made up his mind not to grumble any more, it seemed almost as light as day. As he sat staring straight in front of him, the Magician came to his side—
'Well, Hassan,' he said, 'what is the matter? What are you staring at so attentively?'
'I—I fancied I saw myself at home again,' answered Hassan.
'Ah! I suppose you saw yourself grumbling as usual,' said the Magician.
'No, I wasn't grumbling. I was very happy.'
'Anything you see you may ask for,' answered the Magician, 'and anything you ask for you may have.'