饮星河

倚天照海花无数

首页 >> 饮星河 >> 饮星河最新章节(目录)
大家在看直播之狂暴升级齐天神记秦风杨如雪全文免费少年陆鸣小说万道龙皇陆鸣全文免费阅读护国神帅极品三太子九重至尊天万古神帝张若尘最新章节列表明日方舟之铁与血
饮星河 倚天照海花无数 - 饮星河全文阅读 - 饮星河txt下载 - 饮星河最新章节 - 好看的玄幻魔法小说

第438章 人生半日间

上一章目录下一章阅读记录

half a day

人生半日间

Naguib mahfouz

I proceeded alongside my father, clutching his right hand, running to keep up with the long strides he was taking. All my clothes were new: the black shoes, the green school uniform, and the red tarboosh. my delight in my new clothes, however, was not altogether unmarred, for this was no feast day but the day on which I was to be cast into school for the first time.

my mother stood at the window watching our progress, and I would turn toward her from time to time, as though appealing for help. we walked along a street lined with gardens; on both sides were extensive fields planted with crops, prickly pears, henna trees, and a few date palms.

“why school?“ I challenged my father openly.“I shall never do anything to annoy you.“

“I'm not punishing you,“ he said, laughing.“School's not a punishment. It's the factory that makes useful men out of boys. don't you want to be like your father and brothers?“

I was not convinced. I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from the intimacy of my home and throwing me into this building that stood at the end of the road like some huge, high-walled fortress, exceedingly stem and grim.

when we arrived at the gate we could see the courtyard, vast and crammed full of boys and girls.“Go in by yourself,“ said my father,“and join them. put a smile on your face and be a good example to others.“

I hesitated and clung to his hand, but he gently pushed me from him.“be a man,“ he said.“today you truly begin life. You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave.“

I took a few steps, then stopped and looked but saw nothing. then the faces of boys and girls came into view. I did not know a single one of them, and none of them knew me. I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way. but glances of curiosity were directed toward me, and one boy approached and asked,“who brought you?“

“my father,“ I whispered.

“my father's dead,“ he said quite simply.

I did not know what to say. the gate was closed, letting out a pitiable screech. Some of the children burst into tears. the bell rang. A lady came along, followed by a group of men. the men began sorting us into ranks. we were formed into an intricate pattern in the great courtyard surrounded on three sides by high buildings of several floors; from each floor we were overlooked by a long balcony roofed in wood.

“this is your new home,“ said the woman.“here too there are mothers and fathers. here there is everything that is enjoyable and beneficial to knowledge and religion. dry your tears and face life joyfully.“

we submitted to the facts, and this submission brought a sort of contentment Living beings were drawn to other living beings, and from the first moments my heart made friends with such boys as were to be my friends and fell in love with such girls, as I was to be in love with, so that it seemed my

misgivings had had no basis. I had never imagined school would have this rich variety. we played all sorts of different games: swings, the vaulting horse, ball games. In the music room we chanted our first songs. we also had our first introduction to language. we saw a globe of the Earth, which revolved and showed the various continents and countries. we started learning the numbers. the story of the creator of the universe was read to us, we were told of his present world and of his hereafter, and we heard examples of what he said. we ate delicious food, took a little nap, and woke up to go on with friendship and love, play and learning.

As our path revealed itself to us, however, we did not find it as totally sweet and unclouded as we had presumed. dust-laden winds and unexpected accidents came about suddenly, so we had to be watchful, at the ready, and very patient. It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give rise to fighting. And while the lady would sometimes smile, she would often scowl and scold. Even more frequently she would resort to physical punishment.

In addition, the time for changing one's mind was over and gone and there was no question of ever returning to the paradise of home. Nothing lay ahead of us but exertion, struggle, and perseverance. those who were able took advantage of the opportunities for success and happiness that presented themselves amid the worries.

the bell rang announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. the throngs of children rushed toward the gate, which was opened again. I bade farewell to friends and sweethearts and passed through the gate. I peered around but found no trace of my father, who had promised to be there. I stepped aside to wait. when I had waited for a long time without avail, I decided to return home on my own. After I had taken a few steps, a middle-aged man passed by, and I realized at once that I knew him. he came toward me, smiling, and shook me by the hand, saying,“It's a long time since we last met— how are you?“

with a nod of my head, I agreed with him and in turn asked,“And you, how are you?““As you can see, not all that good, the Almighty be praised!“

Again he shook me by the hand and went off. I proceeded a few steps, then came to a startled halt. Good Lord! where was the street lined with gardens? where had it disappeared to? when did all these vehicles invade it? And when did all these hordes of humanity e to rest upon its surface? how did these hills of refuse e to cover its sides? And where were the fields that bordered it? high buildings had taken over, the street surged with children, and disturbing noises shook the air. At various points stood conjurers showing off their tricks and making snakes appear from baskets. then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, with clowns and weight lifters walking in front. A line of trucks carrying central security troops crawled majestically by. the siren of a fire engine shrieked, and it was not clear how the vehicle would cleave its way to reach the blazing fire. A battle raged between a 'taxi driver and his passenger, while the passenger's wife called out for help and no one answered. Good God! I was in a daze. my head spun. I almost went crazy. how could all this have happened in half a day, between early morning and sunset? I would find the answer at home with my father. but where was my home? I could see only tall buildings and hordes of people. I hastened on to the crossroads between the burdens and Abu Khoda. I had to cross Abu Khoda to reach my house, but the stream of cars would not let up. the fire engine's siren was shrieking at full pitch as it moved at a snail’s pace, and I said to myself,“Let the fire take its pleasure in what it consumes.” Extremely irritated, I wondered when I would be able to cross. I stood there a long time, until the young lad employed at the ironing shop on the corner came up to me. he stretched out his arm and said gallantly,“Grandpa, let me take you across.“

喜欢饮星河请大家收藏:(m.315zwwxs.com)饮星河315中文网更新速度全网最快。

上一章目录下一章存书签
站内强推花式撩妻,总裁的求婚蜜令星河炼重生异能毒医:恶魔小叔,很会宠逍遥初唐邪少狠疼:求求老公纯一点满级大佬修仙日常甜系小萌仙不明不清千秋不死人出生荒古世家,你说我没背景?四合院:鹅毛大雪,我自逆天改命诸天影视从小欢喜乔卫东开始全能医仙少年大将军李恪:这家没我,要散原神:我在提瓦特直播我的世界王妃又怀双胎,八代单传皇家炸窝重置属性快穿男神超乖哒属性无限暴涨,我横压多元
经典收藏关于我重生成为大熊猫这一件事穿越后,美女师傅让我女装当圣女一别落尽梨花泪神医圣九我真是赛亚人穿越即无敌,开始享受生活!时间苍凉爱不淡忘斗罗之永恒之火逍遥仙医人间道穿越诸天从九叔世界开始天穹域君倾世:冷面鬼医龙族之完美世界穿书后我将反派大佬拐跑了逆徒,我让你炼器,不是RPG三教图之藏腾一品龙妃凡人修仙:从培育灵根开始玄幻:开局入瑶池仙宫全职灵法师
最近更新诸天装逼就能永生系统剑问天涯九重天尊修行全靠娘子,疯狂娶妻后我赢麻了真武大帝仙瞳至尊镇魔校尉,开局分家暴打亲哥塔内时间加速,我以天刀证无敌文道:将门文圣谁让这个逗比小蛇学魔法的?老祖,再不下山家就要没了全民双人修仙,病娇校花爱我入骨奇幻时空古今穿梭万古刀龙类世界3:龙之卡三涅盘修炼无限暴击,我无敌很合理吧?最强诅咒师:开局炼制钉头七箭书天峫神兵神医传承,狂了亿点点
饮星河 倚天照海花无数 - 饮星河txt下载 - 饮星河最新章节 - 饮星河全文阅读 - 好看的玄幻魔法小说