A NEW YEAR'S FABLE
251
And what that is--I have already discussed with you. It is
neither gold nor finery. I should like you to live and experience
great joy. You must remember the lightless continent where
millions of people are now living. May the day on which you
receive this letter prove to be your true birthday. . .."
I did not read the letter to the end. Suddenly, in a flash,
a powerful, happy thought interrupted me. "I am happier than
he," is what occurred to me. I still have half of my life ahead
or even two-thirds. I need not hurry. I have time for every–
thing."
At that moment a dark solid mass blotted out the window.
It must be the house-painters swinging their scaffold up to the
fourth floor. Turning over a page of the letter in order to con–
tinue reading, I went over to the window, nearer to the light.
"But what would house-painters be doing in the street in winter–
time?"-I suddenly understood. I raised my eyes and shuddered
violently. Outside, on an iron ledge beneath the window,
sat a huge shaggy-eared owl with grey whiskers and-what was
even stranger-it looked distorted as though carved by some
primitive man. It was my owl. I was seeing it in the flesh for the
first time. With all my strength I waved the letter at it: "Shoo!"
This made no impression.
An idea suddenly came to me, and I began to sweat from
pain and fear. Phew! With difficulty I recovered my breath
and wiped my forehead. The owl sat immobile on its perch,
vertically like all owls. I took another deep breath, wiped my
forehead, and left the room. I don't recall how I found myself
in the street. It was freezing out. Where was I to go? Yes,
that's it! I'd visit myoId school friend, the neuro-pathologist,
a man of experience and creative bent. My case would interest
him, and he would attend to me.
In the lilac dusk, I strode quickly along the boulevard,
and almost at once became aware of a hopping step in back
of me. I glanced around. Someone now stood behind the
