До Адама
Chapter III
ItwasnotuntilIwasayoungmanandhaddreamedmanythousandtimes,thateverythingstraightenedoutandbecameclearandplain.ThenitwasthatIgottheclewoftime,andwasabletopiecetogethereventsandactionsintheirproperorder.ThuswasIabletoreconstructthevanishedYoungerWorldasitwasatthetimeIlivedinit—oratthetimemyother-selflivedinit.Thedistinctiondoesnotmatter;forI,too,themodernman,havegonebackandlivedthatearlylifeinthecompanyofmyother-self.
Foryourconvenience,sincethisistobenosociologicalscreed,Ishallframetogetherthedifferenteventsintoacomprehensivestory.Forthereisacertainthreadofcontinuityandhappeningthatrunsthroughallthedreams.ThereismyfriendshipwithLop-Ear,forinstance.Also,thereistheenmityofRed-Eye,andtheloveoftheSwiftOne.Takingitallinall,afairlycoherentandinterestingstoryIamsureyouwillagree.
Idonotremembermuchofmymother.PossiblytheearliestrecollectionIhaveofher—andcertainlythesharpest—isthefollowing:ItseemedIwaslyingontheground.Iwassomewhatolderthanduringthenestdays,butstillhelpless.Irolledaboutinthedryleaves,playingwiththemandmakingcrooning,raspingnoisesinmythroat.ThesunshonewarmlyandIwashappy,andcomfortable.Iwasinalittleopenspace.Aroundme,onallsides,werebushesandfern-likegrowths,andoverheadandallaboutwerethetrunksandbranchesofforesttrees.
SuddenlyIheardasound.Isatuprightandlistened.Imadenomovement.
