Meetings With Remarkable Men
Page 35
But if, for some reason or other, I fail to accomplish the task I have set myself, then I will be forced to recognize the illusory nature of all the ideas expounded in this narrative, as well as my own extravagant imagination; and, true to my principles, I will have to creep with my tail between my legs, as Mullah Nassr Eddin would say, ‘into the deepest old galoshes that have ever been worn on sweaty feet’.
And if this should be the case, I would then categorically decide to do as follows:
To give for publication only the manuscripts I have just revised in final form, that is, the first series of my writings and two chapters of the second; to cease writing for ever; and, on returning home, to light in the middle of the lawn before my windows a huge bonfire and throw on it all the rest of my writings.
After which I will begin a new life by using the capacities I possess for the sole purpose of satisfying my personal egoism.
A plan is already outlining itself in my madcap brain for my activities in such a life.
I picture myself organizing a new ‘Institute’ with many branches, only this time not for the Harmonious Development of Man but for instruction in hitherto undiscovered means of self-satisfaction.
And there is no doubt that a business like that would run as if on greased wheels.
1 Translated from the Note des Traducteurs in the French edition of this book, Julliard, Paris, 1960.
2 All and Everything: Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson, p. 1236.
3 Mullah Nassr Eddin, a legendary figure in numerous countries of the Near East, is an embodiment of popular wisdom.
4 The First World War.
5 The word imastun in ancient Armenian means ‘wise man’, and it was also the tide given to all remarkable historical personages. For example, this word is still placed before the name of King Solomon.
6 Mollavalli is a small place in the south of the Kars region and madjar is a very new, not yet fermented wine (must).
7 A poladji is a dyer. A person of this profession can always be recognized by his arms, which are blue to the elbows from the dye that can never be washed off.
8 A djuppay is the special costume of the Armenian women of Erzerum.
9 An ernos was a kind of corporadon.
10 The First World War.
11 Tarekh is a strongly salted fish, quite popular in those regions and caught only in Lake Van.
12 A bashlik is a hood which may be put on in such a way as to cover the face completely.
13 A tree or tree-like shrub that grows in the sands.
14 Djungari is a kind of maize which grows in these regions and is used there as a substitute for wheat.
15 Pokhand is a flour, prepared from roasted barley, which makes the tastiest of breads.
16 A kobzir is a kind of raft, the planks of which are fastened to bourdiouks, that is, inflated goat skins.