Stories of the Sahara by Sanmao

Author:Sanmao
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Christmas came. We left the desert for Madrid to visit José’s parents and returned with all of José’s books from grade school upwards. Our little home in the desert had a scholarly whiff from that day forward.

I found the desert to be truly charming. On the other hand, the desert didn’t care a jot for me.

Poor civilised peoples of the world! No getting rid of all our useless belongings.

‘This home is still lacking plants,’ I said to José one evening. ‘No greenery whatsoever.’

‘It’s not just plants we’re lacking. We’ll never be satisfied.’

‘No, so that’s why we have to scavenge where we can.’

That night, we crept over the low wall outside the governor’s house and desperately uprooted some of his flowers with our bare hands.

‘Quick, put them in the plastic bag. Hurry and get that climbing vine, too.’

‘God, how did this root grow so damn deep?’

‘We also need some soil. Throw in some clods.’

‘This should be enough!’ José whispered. ‘We have three plants already.’

‘I just want one more,’ I said, still digging. ‘Just one more and we’ll be all set.’

Suddenly I noticed that the guard in front of the governor’s house was making his way over. Startled out of my wits, I shoved the big plastic bag against José’s chest. ‘Hold me!’ I ordered. ‘Hold me tight. Kiss me hard. The wolf is coming. Quickly!’

José grabbed hold of me, pressing those poor flowers between us.

Sure enough, the guard came closer in quick strides, ammunition rattling against his chest. ‘What’s going on here? Two of you sneaking about?’

‘I. . . We. . .’

‘Get out of here. This is no place for you two to speak sweet nothings.’

We held each other tight and walked towards the low wall. God, it would be great if we could make it out without losing the flowers we’d stolen.

‘Hey, go out through the front!’ the guard barked. ‘Quick!’

So we slowly escaped, holding each other. I even gave a slight bow to the guard. When I told this story to the old commander of the Legión Española, he had himself a good long laugh.

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