Fabeln und Kleingeschichten

Abstract

This book is a translation of the Czech original Badjky a podpovidky. The first hundred pages or so contain fables. The earliest seem to be in dated groups. The longer the fables, the harder they are for me to understand. But after perhaps twenty such, ?apek turns to something closer to aphorisms, and these are much easier to enjoy. Try the scientific inchworm, who says Haha, out of me should a butterfly develop? Outdated dreams of old women, my good man! Nothing other than illusion. A fairy tale for kids. It is scientifically proven that we inchworms are nothing but digestive systems without wings. Life ends, and that is it! (23). Or the sparrow who says So what's special about a nightingale? We sparrows are much more populous (25). The Important Fly goes this way: You do not know? That is the fly that sat down on the king's forehead! (27). The aphorisms take a sharper turn in the 1930's. The ruler speaks: I command you to pay me, and you pay me to command you (29). The cactus says Just be well armed. Look how men fear me. They actually serve me (29). The fly says, apparently to a fellow fly Tough times, but in the war, girl, there were lots of nice corpses! (30). The mouse says Bird? Such a relique. I don't understand how someone can be a bird (33). The mirror: I get it! The world exists only in my perception. Outside of me is nothing (45). Attila: I also want peace, but a Hun peace. The leader of armies: Aim your weapons at those who defend themselves and naturally also at those who do not defend themselves (65). And the book: I answer only those questions that are in me (77). Two late sets of fables are from the future world and from the civil war. In one of the former a child asks his father what peace is. I don't know. Don't ask me such stupid stuff! (85). From the latter: You soldiers, you have done all that you could for the greatness of our people. Only half of them are left (87). Next follows Diese Zeiten. It includes Two Tigers and the Jungle: We have met in the interest of peace. We have agreed to hunt together (93). The artist's colored designs along the way are fresh, modern, question-raising.