In Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, 'sugar' (شکر, shakar) frequently serves as a metaphor for the sweetness of the beloved's lips or kisses. This motif often structures the poems as dialogues where the lover pleads for 'sugar' and the beloved offers a witty, profound, or challenging response. This highlights that the sweetness of divine or true love is not easily attained and often requires a profound sacrifice or patience from the lover.