المصباح المشترك

Several men from Khurasan share a house. They go without a lamp for as long as they can. Eventually they agree to contribute money together so that they can have light. One member of the group refuses to join in the expense.

The others decide that he must not enjoy the benefit for which they have paid. Whenever the lamp is brought in, they tie a cloth over his eyes. The room may be bright, but he cannot see its light. The cloth stays in place until they are ready to sleep.

They then put out the lamp and uncover his eyes. He is allowed to look again only when the room is dark. The story does not describe him changing his mind or paying his share. It ends with the group's repeated solution: his eyes are covered while the lamp is useful, and freed when its light has gone.