In "The House of Unexpected Sisters" by Alexander McCall Smith, a character reflects on the finality of death through a poignant metaphor. He describes his old friend who has passed away, signifying the irreversible loss and the stark realization that what seemed innocent, like water (H2O), was, in fact, something deadly like sulfuric acid (H2SO4). This imagery captures the essence of misunderstanding and the tragic consequences it can lead to.
The...