News to some of you: I spend a little time almost every day studying German. Even though my surname is French, I find German more interesting. For one thing, they pronounce pretty much all of the letters in all words, seldom resorting to dropping consonants and blowing snot bubbles. [1] For another, my parents were each ½ German, thus making me ½ German. Finally, my wife and I enjoy traveling there occasionally, and I must admit – my German skills there are rarely very useful. I can read signs. Sometimes in small villages it helps when no one can (or wants to) speak English.
As you might guess, Buchladen is Bookstore.
On some study days I will read short stories for variety, instead of the regular vocabulary and grammar lessons. Those can be a real grind.
Following is a very short story I read recently during a study session (my translation to English is good enough). Most stories are enjoyable, but I especially liked this one. It’s called “Der Brief”(The Letter).
Here goes. Translated by me.
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Sari and Lilli are standing in front of a bookstore.
Immensee, famous 19th century German novella
Sari says: Let’s go in! I love old books!
Lilli: And that’s why we are friends.
They go into the bookstore. Sari takes a book and opens it up.
Sari: Lilli!! There’s an old letter in this book!
Lilli: What kind of letter?
Sari: A man named Joseph is writing to his good friend, Doris. He needs some advice.
Der Brief
Lilli: Why? What kind of advice?
Sari: He says that he loves two women, Marianna, and Ruth. Marianna is highly intelligent. But Ruth is very funny. He doesn’t know which one he should marry!
Lilli: I hope he stayed single. [Lilli is often the Debbie Downer in the lessons and stories]
Sari: Now I really need to know what his friend Doris had to say.
Just then, the woman who owns the bookstore comes over to them.
Owner: Oh! That is a terrific book! … It belonged to my husband. … He died last year.
Sari: Oh, I am so sorry!
Lilli (spark in her voice now): Was your husband’s name Joseph?
Owner (a little surprised): Yes!
Sari (excitedly): And what’s your name? Marianna … or Ruth?
The woman smiles, a fresh gleam in her eyes.
“My name is Doris.”
Well, hope you liked it at least half as much as I did.
Until next time …
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[1] In some spoken instances they do drop final parts a word. E.g. Einen often becomes Ein because, quite frankly, who really cares if you get the gender and grammatical case correct?
Joe Girard (c) 2022 — story snagged from Duolingo.
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