The square houses have small windows and white walls which reflect the sun so effectively that the glare of the town is unbearable at midday. During the daylight hours only scorpions and snakes are strong enough to face the scorching rocks, but when the sun goes down, the moon lets her flowers bloom and the inhabitants come out to gather food and water. As the fragrance of the flowers spreads, the inhabitants sing songs praising the stars and the chill of the night while sweeping the sand out of their streets. When enough food has been gathered, they dance with flowing veils until the first drop of blood shows in the east at which time they retire and leave their streets to the drifting sands.