The Last Shot*. Qassem Kashkouli. *Translated By Hossein Listi

The Last Shot*
Qassem Kashkouli
*Translated By Hossein Listi

It was just yesterday, in the tavern that we don’t have, with the old friends that weren’t there, I sat behind the heavy cloud of nostalgia. I drank the second and third shot. And … . Someone put his hand on my shoulder as I got intoxicated. I turned back to see the owner of the hand … .
“Shall I sit?”
“I’m not alone.” I said. “You can see,” and I pointed towards my old friends.
“You must have their permission too,” I said.
“Don’t worry about them, they can’t see me.” he said.
He sat down.


He drank the second and third shot …, and as he got intoxicated, he looked at me. I saw the whole grief of the old tavern’s memory in his eyes.
“I came to take your soul but I’m sick of all deaths. I wish someone took my soul.” he said.
And he went.
I turned my head towards the stranger and in loud voice I said, “I’m always here. Whenever you get upset, come here to drink together.”
Then I drank my last shot with the friends that weren’t there.

The End
*Translated By Hossein Listi

*The title of the story delivers two different meanings in Persian language. So in English translation it is not possible to represent both of them simultaneously. The first meaning of the title is the last shot of alcoholic drink. The second one means the last “messenger” which represents the death angel.