Best European Fiction 2012 by Aleksandar Hemon

Author:Aleksandar Hemon [Hemon, Aleksandar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Norton
Published: 2011-11-08T06:00:00+00:00

TRANSLATED FROM ICELANDIC BY CHRISTOPHER BURAWA

children

[SWITZERLAND: FRENCH]

NOËLLE REVAZ

The Children

We live in the blue house. It’s not our house, but we’re spending our childhood here. Our footsteps and voices ring out, the headmasters can’t help but get annoyed and scold us, which is completely natural, even with very well-behaved children. Madame Morceau and her husband are in charge. The teachers come during the day. We have four cooks. The ivy is full of snails.

Here is what’s happening now. Today we wake up and Madame Morceau says to us: this morning, children, I have something to tell you. She gathers us all in the yard, Monsieur Morceau pensive and silent behind her. The headmistress is kind, her words flow, she resumes: I’ve something to tell you. Her eyes pass over our heads. Even though there are a lot of us, she knows each of our names. She doesn’t need to shout for silence, she only has to widen her eyes. Her voice is calm: children, I have to tell you, today is not an ordinary day.

A few children start to play, but Madame Morceau continues: there is a workers’ strike and nobody will be coming to watch over you. As for us, as headmasters, we must go and negotiate with the faculty. I hope you understand. There is bread on the table. I’ll get the butter out for you. Don’t get any jam on your pajamas please. Also, I’m requesting that the most responsible among you look after the little ones. You may play in the yard, but don’t go past the gate. I will be back in time to make you some lovely mashed potatoes, we cooked the potatoes yesterday and all that has to be done is to mash them with butter the way you like it. Above all, don’t be worried, there won’t be any nutmeg, I know how much you hate it. If I don’t get back in time, it’s nothing to get alarmed about—please put yourselves to bed without causing any trouble. If, as is quite possible, I still haven’t returned by suppertime, you’ll find the cereals in their usual spot. I’m well aware that cereal isn’t very nutritious and I fully intend in the future to cook you healthy meals, but should I be detained, pour some milk in your bowls and be careful if you please not to spill any in the refectory. The big children should tie the little ones’ bibs on carefully. When you go to bed, lie quietly until you fall asleep, just because I’m not there doesn’t mean you get to have a free-for-all. And a word about the TV. If some of you are tempted to watch it, I’ll know immediately by checking whether it’s warm or cold. I’ll think about you a lot while I’m gone. It’s possible that I won’t be there to tuck you in, but I’ll come to give you cuddles as soon as I get back, even if you’re sleeping, I promise. In

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.