Cat in the Garden
You willed an orderly lawn into shape out of arid wasteland, and bushes up out of bare twigs; you raised a housecat on your lap from a stray and spitting kitten. And now your tomcat glides like a serpent through the high grass and underbrush, its golden eyes shining, joyful tremors running through its glossy coat.
"Me? I am a wild beast in the forest primeval."
Ownership
I've long since held an affection for sparrows because they are merry and poor, because they are grey as old rags, dishevelled as tramps, carefree as children; chatty, satisfied with life and somehow entirely democratic; for this and other reasons I have always regarded them with affection as they eke out their little lives.
Begone, you worthless thing, beat it, you miserable sparrow, get lost, you wretched creature! Where is my cat, where is my cane, where is my gun? You mean to tell me, you little bandit, that you took my first cherry off my little tree?
Čapek, Aesop 2, 3/9
A few artistic liberties here, with "forest primeval" and "little tree" for "wild jungle" and "dwarf cultivar," respectfully.
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1 comment:
artistic liberties are the best kind
as to the former post - indeed, translate as you promised me one drunken night - hence I will not hold you to your promiss, but still, should you get round to it.. I'd love to read them.
and now for something completely different: good to hear that you're doing better, though I'd be happier if you were same old same old
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