Lighting a lamp is an easy task,
ere which you mustn’t forget to ask,
with a knock on the brass, on the side,
politely, if anyone’s inside.

For all you know, there may be a bug,
cozying up upon its warm rug,
inside the lamp, which it calls its home.
In that case, kindly leave it alone.

There may also be a wise old djinn.
For a thousand years ’tis trapped within
a tiny space made of walls of brass,
wishing that they had been built of glass.

Once you have made sure that no one’s there,
you must execute these steps with care:
at first, pour some oil into the lamp,
then, dip a wick in it till it’s damp.

Now, when the sun goes down for the night,
ask him if you may borrow some light.
Then, with a matchstick, collect a spark,
And light the lamp when it’s getting dark.