"On a Journey." Slawomir Mrozek.

The coach is passing a series of men spaced evenly by the side of the road. Because the poles were stolen and no wire is available, these men have become a “wireless telegraph,” passing on messages from man to man. The men are employed by the state for their duties.

Fifty Great European Short Stories. Ed. Edward and Elizabeth Huberman. New York: Bantam Books. 1971.

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After this sampling of short stories, I have decided to end this blog. RayS.

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"Everythng Is Good at the End of the World." Zsigmund Moricz.

“Mother Dear” had nine children, ten if you count four-year-old Rozi who was a state-supported child. “Mother Dear” made Rozi wait her turn when the other nine took a bath. Rozi waited for bread, and if none was left she got none. When she stole some and went out to the barn to eat it “Mother Dear” beat her. Rozi didn’t cry because no one cared and no one would sympathize with her. Rozi did not even know that “Mother Dear” was not her mother. When the lady from the state realized how Rozi was being treated by “Mother Dear,” she took her away and gave her to a nice plump woman in town. But Rozi ran away to be with “Mother Dear” again. Rozi felt that everything would be good at the end of the world and she looked forward to it and waited patiently for it. Her job was to wait.

Fifty Great European Short Stories. Ed. Edward and Elizabeth Huberman. New York: Bantam Books. 1971.