Spider Monkey at Night
SpiderMoNight
1995,Heibonsha
RevisedonMarch17,2005
ShortStories:
Ⅰ
Horn(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
PencilSharpner-or,theSerendipityofWATANABENoboru,PartI(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
JulioIglesias(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TimeMae-or,theSerendipityofWATANABENoboru,PartII(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Croquettes(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
PlayingCards(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Neer(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Donutization(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Antithesis(tranlatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Eels(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TAKAYAMANoriko-sanandmySexualDesire(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Octopus(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
ARaidbytheOldManMushikubo(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Spanner
Donuts,again(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Ⅱ
Spider-moNight
AdvertisementforJazzCafeinKokubunjialongtimeago(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TheWorldWhereHorsesSellTickets(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
BangkokSurprise(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Beer
Proverbs
Structurism
ARadishGrater
MessagePhone
Stogs(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Milk
GoodNews
HighEffitStilts
Zoo
TheIndiaSalesman(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
BackofCeiling
MoshoMosho
AHardRainsA-GonnaFall
Nicol,theLiar
DeepRedMustard
Aboutnightwhisle,oraboutEffectofTale
Back
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horn
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Thereisamusistrumentsuchasthehorn.Andthereareprofessionalhornists.Althoughitisthenaturalwayoftheworld,I’mfusedlikelostinathree-dimensionallabyrinthwhenIstarttosidersuchathingseriously.
Whyshoulditbeahorn?
Whydidhebeethehornist?Whynotme?
Anactofapersonbeingahornistcarriesdeepermysterythananactbeinga,Ibelieve.Itisthemysteryyouderstahinginyourlifeifyousolveit.ButthereasonmaybeIama,notahornist.IfIamahornist,anactofapersonbeingalooksmuchstrange.
Iimaginehehappeoenterwiththehorernooninadeepforest.Duringchitchatting,theylikedeachotherandhebecametheprofessionalhornist.Orthehhttellhimastoryofthehorn’slife,somethinglikeahardtimeinitsboyhood,itsplicatedfamilybackground,aplexofitsfeatureoritssexualhang-up.
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutaviolinandflute,”Thehhthavesaidsuchas“youseeIwasbornasahorn.Ihaven’tgoneabroadorskiing…”Siheafternoon,thehornandthehornistbecameaninseparableandperfebination.Afterthesameold,hardtimeslikeFlashDahehornandthehornist,handinhand,appeartodayonthepublicstageandareplayingthefirstpassageofBrahms’spianocerto.
Sittingointhecerthall,Ihappentothinkaboutsuchathing.Andalsoaboutatubainanotherdeepforest,waitingforsomeoowalkby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PencilSharpener
Or,theSerendipityofNoboruWatanabe,partI
byMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
IftherewasntaguynamedNoboruWatanabe,Iwould,nodoubt,stillbeusingarattyoldpencilsharpehankstoNoboruWatanabe,ashinynewpencilsharpenerhaseintomypossession.Thiskindofgoodfortuhappeneveryday.
WhenNoboruWatanabecameintomykit,heimmediatelyspiedmyoldpencilsharpetingoable.Thatday,Ihadbeenwatthekittableforageofpace.Thus,thepencilsharpenerhadbeebetweenabottleofsoysaudthesaltshaker.
NoboruWatanabe,whilehewasfixingthesinksdrain--hebeingtheplumber--nowandthenwouldstealaglahetabletopoutoftheerofhiseye.Butatthattime,siherewasnowayofknowingthathewasamaniacalcollectorofpencilsharpeners,Icouldntfigureoutwhatintheworldhewassoiedinoabletop,atwhichhekeptstealingsuchpointedglahereweremanyandvariedthingsscatteredoable.
"Youknow,sir,thatsareallynicilsharpeneryouvegotthere,"NoboruWatanabesaid,afterhehadfihthepiperepair.
"This?"Surprised,Ipickeditupoffthetable.Itwasthesameordinaryhand-operatedgadgetIdbeenusingformorethan20years,sincemymiddleschooldays,anditwasnodifferentfromanyother.Themetalpartwasbadlyrusted,andontopanAtomSealstickerhadbeenstushort,itwasoldanddirty.
"Whatyouhavethereisa1963modelMarxPSD.Veryrare,"NoboruWatanabesaid."Thewaythebladecutsisalittledifferentfromanyothertype.Theshapeoftheshavingsissubtlydifferent."
"Wow,"Isaid.
ItwasthusthatIattainedabrandnewpencilsharpehelatestmodel,andNoboruWatanabecameawaywitha1963modelMarxPSD(withAtomSeal).NoboruWatanabealwayscarriesnewpencilsharpenersaroundinhisbag,toexgeinbarterunderjustsuchcircumstances.Althoughitwilldoubtlessrecur,thiskindofserendipitydoesnotetooofteninonelifetime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JulioIglesias
byHarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Afterthemosquitocoilsdisappeared,therewasnotonesihioprotectusfromtheattackoftheseaturtle.Ihadtriedtoordermoremosquitocoilsbothbymailandbytelephothetelephonelinehadbeencut,andmailservicehadstoppedabouttwoweeksbefore.ThemoreIthoughtaboutit,themorecertainIwasthattherewasnothingtopreventthatcraftyseaturtlefromdoingjustleased.Untilnow,hesbeenforcedtodrinkaseabrihankstothemosquitocoilswehadwithus.Now,however,herobablysmilingteohimself,downatthebottomofthedeepbluesea,maybechugalittle,andtakinganapinpreparatihtfall.
"Wevedonefor,"shesaidtome."Whennightes,wedbothbedevouredbytheseaturtle."
"Wemustnotgiveuphope,"Isaid."Ifwewrackourbrains,weddefeatthisvileseaturtle."
"Buttheseaturtlestoleeverylastoneofourmosquitocoils."
"Weregottotrytothiically.Iftheseaturtlehatesmosquitocoilssomuch,theremustbesomethihathehatesaswell."
"Forexample?"
"JulioIglesias,"Isaid.
"WhyJulioIglesias?"sheasked.
"Idontknow.Itjustsuddenlypoppedintomyhead.Likeintuitionorsomething."
Followingmyinstincts,IputJulioIglesias"BegintheBegine"ontheHi-Fisystemsturntableandwaitedforsu.Whenitgotdark,theseaturtlewouldcertainlylaunchhisattack.Then,allwouldbedecided:whetherwewouldbeeaten,orwhethertheseaturtlewouldweep.
Justbeforemidnight,Iheardthesoundofsquishyfootstepsheentranceway,anddroppedtheneedleontotherecordstraightaway.WhenJulioIglesiasssugar-watervoicebegantosing"BegintheBegine,"thefootstepsimmediatelystopped,andintheirplacecouldbeheardaseaturtleanguishedmoaning.
Wehadbeateurtle.
Thatnight,JulioIglesiassang"BegintheBegine"126times.WhileIhateJulioIglesiastoo,itwasntnearlyasbadastheseaturtle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TimeMae
Or,theSerendipityofNoboruWatanabe,partII
byMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Therewasaknockatthedoor.
IleftthepeelofthetangerineIwaseatingontopofthekotatsuaothegenkan,onlytofindNoboruWatanabe(plumberandcollectorofpencilsharpeners)standingthere.Itwasabout6:30,soNoboruWatanabesaid"Goodevening."
"Goodevening,"Ireplied,notreallyknowingwhy."Uhh,Idontremembercallingforanywork..."
"Yes,Iknow.TodayIwouldliketoaskafavorofyou.Youhaveanoldfashioimemaeinyourhouse,andIthoughtthat...well,thatyoumightsidersingitforabrandnewone."
"Timemae?"Irepeatedtomyself,alittlesurprised.Butthesurprisewouldntgoaway."Yes,thereis,"Isaidcasually."Youwanttoseeit?"
"Yes,ifImight."
AndsoIapaniedNoboruWataomyfour-and-a-halfmatroom,withthetangeriillsittingorickotatsu.
"Ah,thetimemae,"hesaid.Ithoughthehadasenseofhumorkindoflikemine.
ButNoboruWatanabedidntlaugh.Rollingbackthekotatsufutonwithagravedemeanor,heturheknobs,checkedthegraduations,andtuggedgentlyatthefs,onebyone.
"Thisisanamazingpiece,sir,"hesaidwithasigh."Incredible.Itsa1971modelNationalHoka-Hoka.Ofcourseyouthinksotoo,sir?"
"Yeah,sure,"Irepliedagreeably.Ohelegswasalittlewobbly,butwarmthiswarmth.
SinoboruWatanabehadofferedtositforabraimemae,Itoldhim"Goahead."NorboruWataouttohisLightAceparkedinfrontofthehousearievedabrandrickotatsu(ortimemae)fromthetrunk,broughtitintomyroom,andexgeditfortheNational"Hoka-Hoka"(ortimemae),whichheheldtightlyinhisarmsasheboreitaway.
"Thanksagain,"NoboruWatanabesaidashewavedfromthedriversseat.Iwavedbadso,returningtomyroom,Ifiingmytangerine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Croquettes
byHarukiMurakami
TtranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Iwaswathomeonedaywhenagirlcamecalling.Sheretty,maybe18or19,andwreenwoolsweater.Standingnervouslyatthedoor,shefumbledwiththeclaspofherpurse.
"Umm,year-endbonus,sir,"shesaidinasoftvoice.
"Ah,soIosignforsomething,right?"Isaid.
"No,no.Imyouryear-endbonus."
"ImafraidIdontquiteuand."
"Well,yousee,tocutstraighttotheheartofthematter,youdowhateveryoulikewithme.Imagift.IwastoldtoeherebythemaKInchargeofcourtesygifts."
"Isee,"Igroaned.KInc.wasamajorpublishingpany,andIhaddoneworkforthemmanytimes.OnedaywhenIwasgettingdrunkwiththisparticularmanager,heaskedmewhatIwantedformyend-of-the-yearbonus,andIreplied"Ayounggirl."Ofcourse,Isaiditasajoke.NeverinmywildestdreamsdidIimagisuchatrulyfirst-ratepublisherwouldactuallydoit.
"Unfortunately,Imreallybusytoday.See,Ihavealotofworktofinishforadeadliomorrow,andanywayImnotreallyinthemoodforsexrightnow.Andthebedsnotmade.IfIhadknownyouwereingtoday,Icouldhavebeenprepared."
WhenIsaidthis,shebegantosob."Imuseless.Youtevengivemeaway.Itdoasihingright.Theywouldntevengivemeadriverslise."
"There,there,"Isaid.
Butthegirllookedlikeshewasjustgoingtokeepbawlinginmygenkan.And,therebeingneighborsaround,Ihadnochoicebuttoinviteherinandgiveheracupofcoffee.
"Ifyoudontwanttohavesex,letmedosomethingelseforyou.Thebosssaidtoprovideyouwithtwofullhoursofservice.Doyoulikekaraoke?Ising.ImreallygoodatElly,MyLovebySouthernAllStars."
"Idratheryounotsing,"Isaid,cuttingheroffquickly.Ifshedidsomethinglikethat,Idneverbeabletogetmyworkdone.
"ThenIllmakecroquettes.Imakeexcellentcroquettes."
"Great,"Isaid.Ireallylikecroquettesalot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PlayingCards
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
AftertherecordofJulioIglesiasworeout,therewasnothioprotectusfromtheattackoftheseaturtle.IthadonlybeenplayiheBegineofJulioIglesiaseverynightthatwehadmaokeeptheseaturtleaway.
"Wearefinished,aretwe?"shesaid."ThereisnomosquitocoilsandJuliosdisciswornout."
"Therehastobesomeotherway,"Isaid.
"HowaboutWillyNelsonorRichardClayderman?"
"No,itsonlyJuliothatworksfortheseaturtle,"Ik.
ThatdayIwenttotheshorealoneandpeeredintotheseafromafaroutrock.Theseaturtlenappedasusualcrougontheseabed.ItwasservingitspowerforthenightattaatterhowlongIlookeddownattheseaturtle,odriveitawayoccurredtome.Iwastootiredtoplaywithmyimagination.
Wewerefihistime,Ithought.Andendingourliveseatenbytheseaturtlewasmiserablewaytogo.Whatwouldmymotherthink?Heronlysoenbyaseaturtle!
Wewereresignedourselvestoourfateandfinishedourlastmeal.Whilecalmlydrinkiheseaturtlecameuponus.Itsfootstepsapproachedsteadilyanditslowlywalkedroundourhouse.
"Nowweredonefor,"shesaidholdingmyhands.
"Wehavetogiveup.Itsashortbutpleasantlife,"Isaid.
Thedoorcreakedopenaurtlepeepedandfoundoutthattherewasnomosquitocoils,andnosongofJulioIglesiaseither.Adeckofplayingcardswasgraspedbyitshands.
Playingcards?
Andsihenallwedo,allthreeofus,isplaythecardgame,51everynight.Itsnotsuchafumuchbetterthanbeienalive.Besides,itsnotasifwewerelisteningtoJulioIglesiaseverynightbychoice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neer
byMURAKAMIHaruki
translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
TheextremebehaviorofthebigmonkeysontheGinzalinecarriedonformonthsbeforeanyofitgotintothenews.FriendsofmioldmeiailsoftheirownexperiendIwitbymyself.
Thebigmonkeysragedoninthiswaybutnothingappearedintheneersandtherewasnosignofapolivestigation.Iftheneersandpolisideredthecurseofthebigmonkeysunworthyofattention,Iwouldseriouslyurgethemtoresider.ThoughatthistimethebigmonkeysactivitiesarelimitedtotheGinzalihereisnoguaratheywontspreadtotheMarunouchiorHanzomowillbetoolatetotakeastepafterthat.
AfromthecurseofthebigmonkeyIwitnessedwasrelativelyharmlessohappenedonFebruary15,thedayafterSaintValentinesday.IwastakingtheGinzalinefromOmotesandotoToranomon.AwelldressedofficeworkerinhisearlyfortiessatomeandwaseagerlyreadingameditionofTheMainieer.Hewasreadinganartititled‘DepreciationofthedollarbringsUSeyinflation?’Iglaanewbookadbelowit,“5kgdietgesyourlife.”.
ThetrainapproachedtheAkasakamitsukestation,thelightswentoff,asusual,andthencameonagaiinstant.WhenIlookedattheMainieeroncemore,therewasanobviousmishap.Itwasturnedupside-down.
‘?noitalfniymonoceSUsgnirbrallodehtfonoitaicerpeD’
“efilruoysegnahcteidgk5”
‘Ohdear!Thebigmonkeydiditagain,’theofficeworkersaidtome.‘Whatisthegoverwaitingfor?’
‘Yes,indeed,’Ireplied.
Itwouldbedifficultforus,ifitlastsforeverlikethis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donutization
HarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
AtthetimewhenmygirlfriendwithwhomIhadbeengoingoutforthreeyears,andtowhomIwasengaged,donutized,andourrelationshipsubsequentlyfellapart--Imean,whoamongusreallygetalongwithadonutizedgirlfriend?--Istarteddrinkinginbarsnearlyeverynight,andhadgrownthinanddrawnlikeHumphreyBogartin"TheTreasureofSierraMadre."
"Look,BigBrother:dumpher,ifonlyformysake.Ifyougoohis,youthelpbutfallapart,"mysisteradvised."Iknowwhatyourefeeling,butdonutizedpeopleurntonormal.Youhavenochoicebuttobreakupwithher."
Shewasabsolutelyright.Justasshesaid,onceapersonisdonutized,theystaydonutizedforever.Icalledthefreakonthephoneandsaidgoodbye."Ihatebreakingup,butintheend,Iguessitsjustfate.Illneverfetyou...bleah,bleah,bleah"
"Youstilldo?"thedonutizedgirlfriendsaid."Theterofourhumaenothing.Thereisnothing,likeazero.Whydontyoutakealong,hardlookatthisvoid?Whydoyouinsistonlookingonlyatthethingsimmediatelyaroundyou?"
Why?ThatwasthequestionIwaoaskher.Whydodonutizedpeopleonlythinkinsuarrow-minded,parochialways?
Butanyway,thatshowIbrokeupwithmygirlfriend.Thatwastwo.Then,lastspring,mylittlesister,fornoapparentreason,donutizedaswell.AftergraduatingfromJouiversity,andbeginningtoworkforJapanAirlines,shewasinthelobbyofaSapporohotelonedayonabusirip,whenshesuddenlydonutized.Mymotherstayedathomedayafterdayandcriedherlifeaway.Icallmysisteronthephoneonawhile,justtoseehowshesdoing.
"Youstilldo?"mydonutizedlittlesistersays."Theterofourhumaenceis..."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antithesis
byMURAKAMIHaruki
translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Apicturecardatlastarrivedfrommyuncle.WedidnothearfromhimsincehehadgooBorneolastSeptembertocattithesis.Althoughithadanordinarydesignwiththatusualhouseonstiltsanduttrees,theletteritselffromtheuncle,famousforpoorletterwriter,isquiteamazing.
“Unfortunately,Antithesis,wecallitabigone,disappearedretlyeveninthisplace,”hewrote.Itslettersareshakysieito.
“NativessaidtheyhavenotseenAntithesisof8meterclassforyears.Icaughtomonthwithfivemeterstwenty-fivelong.Obviouslyamiddleclass,butacctothemit’seventhemiracle.Quitemygrief.RegardingthedecreaseofAntithesis,someonesaysit’scausedbylessvolicashandanothersaysit’sduetothegeothermalge.Butnooneknowsdefinitereasons.Ifthinggoohis,I’llgobacktoJapanbyJune.”
Anoldpictureofmyuncle,posinginfrontofthetwelveandahalfmeterAntithesiscarriedbynatives,washunginmyroom.Myunclefoundthesuper-bigfishin1966anditwasofficiallyrecordedasthebiggestAntithesiscaughtin1960’s.Atthattime,hewasintheprimetimeastheAntithesishunterafirmlyhisstrongdrivefromthepicture.ItwasthehappytimeliketheAgeofDiscoveryforAntithesishunters.
ToenterrealshinyAntithesisinFreaurantsbecameashardastocatchafallieoritebyatennisracket.Ofcoursesometimesit’sonthemeoday.Butit’stakenfraheyarefromIndia,dryandalmosttasteless,smallAntithesis,furthermoretheyarefrozen.Ifmyunclefindssuchamenu,hewilltearittopiecesimmediately.Becausehekeptsaying,“BigAntithesis,ornothing”.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eels
HarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Itwas3:30inthemwhenIgotaphonecallfromMayKasahara,thatabruptlyroustedmefromadeepsleep.InthemidstofthesoftwarmmudofthevelveteensleepinwhichIwassubmerged,eelsandrubberbootscrowdedarouheoveralleffectbeingthatIwasgreedilydevthefruitofthisluxurianthappiness.Itwasthusthatthephonecallcame.
Ringring.
First,thefruitvahentheeelsandtherubberboots;andfinallythemudaswell,sothatatlastonlyIwasleft.Justme:37yearsold,drunk,andnotparticularlylikeable.Whatrightdoesaheworldhavetodeprivemeofmyeelsandrubberboots?
Ringring.
"Hello,"MayKasaharasaid."Areyouthere?"
"Uh,yeah...hello,"Iresponded.
"Hey,itsMayKasahara.Sorryforcallingsolate.Butthereareantsinginagain.Theybuiltaihesidepillarsi.WechasedImoutofthebathroom,buttheyjustmovedtheir.Idnotkidding:theymovedthewholething.Rightdowntothespeckledwhitebabies.Itstandit!So,like,brihatsprayagain,OK?Iknowitslateahing,butItotallyhateants.Soe?"
Inthedarkness,Ishookmyheadviolently.WhointheworldwasthisMayKasahara?WhowasthisMayKasahara,whohadrobbedmeofmyeels?
Itriedaskihesequestions.
"Oh,Imsosorry.Imusthavemadeamistake,"saidMayKasahara,soundinggenuinelyapologetic."Thisantproblemhasreallygotmeflustered,eversiheymovedtheir.Sorry."
Heavingasigh,Icrawledbamyfuton,yeyes,andtriedtofindthosefriendlyeelsihickmudofsleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKAYAMANoriko-sanandmysexualdesire
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Uptonowinmylife,IhavewalkedwithmanywomensidebysidebutnotwithsuchaquianwalkerasTAKAYAMANoriko-say-fiveyearsold.Shestridesthestreetswithaverycheerfulway,swingingherarmsbadforthrefreshingly,asiftosay,“I’mjustoiled”.Fromalittlefarway,sheseemslikeaspider-flywearingtransparentwings.Sheissoswiftandsmooth,looksveryhappylikealightaftertheheavyrain.
WhenIwalkedwithherforthefirsttime(wewalkedfromthefrontofSendagayaelementaryschooltoAoyamaIe),Iwassoastohherspeedandthoughtmypanyannoyedherandshehopedtopartfrommeassoonaspossiblewithsuunusualspeed.OrIthoughtsheplaleasttoreducemysexualdesirewithafuriousspeed(however,asIhadnosexualdesiretoher,Iwoworkedornot.)
Ittooksomemonthstorealizeherquickspacehasnospecialmeaningbutsheonlylikestowalkasifflying.EarlywinterIsawheratthefrontoftheYotsuyastation,walkingaloneincrowds,alsothenshemovedfromsomeplaeplathisgroundokyo”withthatawfulspeed,wemightcallitanunreasonablespeed.Shewaswalkinggrippingastrapofherhandbagwithherrighthand,flappingskirtsofhertrenchcoatinthewindandstraighteningherspine.
WhenItookseveralstepstoherandwantedsomething,shewasfarforwardandIwasleftaloneinfrontoftheYotsuyastationinanawkwardmannerlikeRossanoBrazziiseof“Summertime”.ButIleasedtoknowTAKAYAMANoriko-sandidnotmisuandmysexualdesire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Octopus
byHarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
NoboruWatameapostcardictureofanoctopusonit.Beheoctopus,ashortnotehadbeenwritteninacrampedhand.
"Ithasetomyattentionthatyourenderedmydaughterinvaluableservicewhileridingthesubwaytheotherday,forwhichIwaendmyheartiestthanks.Letsgoouttoeatoctopussometimesoon."
Iwasverysurprisedwhehis.Ihadonlyjustgottenbaatrip,andforonereasonoranother,hadnothadcausetoridethesubwayfornearlytwomonths,nordidIrememberrenderinghisdaughteranyaid.Forthatmatter,Ididntevenknowhehadadaughter.Iguesshehadmefusedwithsomeoneelse.
Buteatingoctopustogetherdidntsoundsobad.
IwroteNoboruWatater.Ocard,thereictureofathrush,behwhichIwrote:
"Thankyouforyourpostcardoftheotherday.Ilikeoctopusalot.Letsgoouttoeattogether.Pleasetactmeattheendofthemonth."
AfullmonthpassedwithoutanyresponsefromNoboruWatanabe.Heprobablyletitpassasamatterofcourtesy,Ithought.AndalthoughIhadthestradesiretoeatoctopusthatmonth,Iheldoff,uheassumptionthatIwasgoioctopuswithNoboruWatanabe.
JustaboutthetimeIwasfettingaboutNoboruWatanabeandoctopaialtogether,Ireceivedanotherpostcardfromhim.Thistimethereictureofamanboonit.Behis,therewasanote.
"Thatoctopustheotherdaywasdelicious.IthadbeenalongtimeindeedsinceIhadeatensuchdeliciousoctopusasthat.Butingtheopinionsyouexpressedatthattime,Imusttakesomeissue.Astheparentofadaughterofaboutthatage,Iottolerateyoursexualvalues.Letsgettogetheranddiscussthematterleisurelyovernabesometime."
Oh,well,Isighed.NoboruWatanabehasmemixedupwithsomeoneelseyetagain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARaidbytheOldManMushikubo
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
“IamtheOldManMushikubo.”theOldManMushikubosaidandclearedhithroat.
“Yes,Iknowyou.”Ireplied.Anyinhabitantsaroundhereknowhim.
“SorryfornonoticebuttodayI’dliketospeakwithyouaboutvirginityofyounggirls.”
“Wait…,waitaminute.Iamnowpreparingmysupper.Maybeanotherdayforthestory…”Itriedtopushbackhiminahurrybuthecaughtawhiffofitandpushedhalfofhisbodyquicklyintothedoor.
“Itdoesn’ttakealongtime.Ifyoulike,youcookthere.eakhereduringyourcooking.”
Really,’tbehelped,thinkinginmind,Icutgarlideggplantwithakitknife,Shuko-Shoko-Shuko.Hewasreallycarefultoenterproperlyfromthekitdoor.AlthoughtheOldMan松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
1995,Heibonsha
RevisedonMarch17,2005
ShortStories:
Ⅰ
Horn(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
PencilSharpner-or,theSerendipityofWATANABENoboru,PartI(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
JulioIglesias(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TimeMae-or,theSerendipityofWATANABENoboru,PartII(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Croquettes(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
PlayingCards(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Neer(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Donutization(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Antithesis(tranlatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Eels(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TAKAYAMANoriko-sanandmySexualDesire(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Octopus(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
ARaidbytheOldManMushikubo(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Spanner
Donuts,again(translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio)
Ⅱ
Spider-moNight
AdvertisementforJazzCafeinKokubunjialongtimeago(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
TheWorldWhereHorsesSellTickets(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
BangkokSurprise(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Beer
Proverbs
Structurism
ARadishGrater
MessagePhone
Stogs(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
Milk
GoodNews
HighEffitStilts
Zoo
TheIndiaSalesman(translatedbyChristopherAllison)
BackofCeiling
MoshoMosho
AHardRainsA-GonnaFall
Nicol,theLiar
DeepRedMustard
Aboutnightwhisle,oraboutEffectofTale
Back
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horn
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Thereisamusistrumentsuchasthehorn.Andthereareprofessionalhornists.Althoughitisthenaturalwayoftheworld,I’mfusedlikelostinathree-dimensionallabyrinthwhenIstarttosidersuchathingseriously.
Whyshoulditbeahorn?
Whydidhebeethehornist?Whynotme?
Anactofapersonbeingahornistcarriesdeepermysterythananactbeinga,Ibelieve.Itisthemysteryyouderstahinginyourlifeifyousolveit.ButthereasonmaybeIama,notahornist.IfIamahornist,anactofapersonbeingalooksmuchstrange.
Iimaginehehappeoenterwiththehorernooninadeepforest.Duringchitchatting,theylikedeachotherandhebecametheprofessionalhornist.Orthehhttellhimastoryofthehorn’slife,somethinglikeahardtimeinitsboyhood,itsplicatedfamilybackground,aplexofitsfeatureoritssexualhang-up.
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutaviolinandflute,”Thehhthavesaidsuchas“youseeIwasbornasahorn.Ihaven’tgoneabroadorskiing…”Siheafternoon,thehornandthehornistbecameaninseparableandperfebination.Afterthesameold,hardtimeslikeFlashDahehornandthehornist,handinhand,appeartodayonthepublicstageandareplayingthefirstpassageofBrahms’spianocerto.
Sittingointhecerthall,Ihappentothinkaboutsuchathing.Andalsoaboutatubainanotherdeepforest,waitingforsomeoowalkby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PencilSharpener
Or,theSerendipityofNoboruWatanabe,partI
byMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
IftherewasntaguynamedNoboruWatanabe,Iwould,nodoubt,stillbeusingarattyoldpencilsharpehankstoNoboruWatanabe,ashinynewpencilsharpenerhaseintomypossession.Thiskindofgoodfortuhappeneveryday.
WhenNoboruWatanabecameintomykit,heimmediatelyspiedmyoldpencilsharpetingoable.Thatday,Ihadbeenwatthekittableforageofpace.Thus,thepencilsharpenerhadbeebetweenabottleofsoysaudthesaltshaker.
NoboruWatanabe,whilehewasfixingthesinksdrain--hebeingtheplumber--nowandthenwouldstealaglahetabletopoutoftheerofhiseye.Butatthattime,siherewasnowayofknowingthathewasamaniacalcollectorofpencilsharpeners,Icouldntfigureoutwhatintheworldhewassoiedinoabletop,atwhichhekeptstealingsuchpointedglahereweremanyandvariedthingsscatteredoable.
"Youknow,sir,thatsareallynicilsharpeneryouvegotthere,"NoboruWatanabesaid,afterhehadfihthepiperepair.
"This?"Surprised,Ipickeditupoffthetable.Itwasthesameordinaryhand-operatedgadgetIdbeenusingformorethan20years,sincemymiddleschooldays,anditwasnodifferentfromanyother.Themetalpartwasbadlyrusted,andontopanAtomSealstickerhadbeenstushort,itwasoldanddirty.
"Whatyouhavethereisa1963modelMarxPSD.Veryrare,"NoboruWatanabesaid."Thewaythebladecutsisalittledifferentfromanyothertype.Theshapeoftheshavingsissubtlydifferent."
"Wow,"Isaid.
ItwasthusthatIattainedabrandnewpencilsharpehelatestmodel,andNoboruWatanabecameawaywitha1963modelMarxPSD(withAtomSeal).NoboruWatanabealwayscarriesnewpencilsharpenersaroundinhisbag,toexgeinbarterunderjustsuchcircumstances.Althoughitwilldoubtlessrecur,thiskindofserendipitydoesnotetooofteninonelifetime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JulioIglesias
byHarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Afterthemosquitocoilsdisappeared,therewasnotonesihioprotectusfromtheattackoftheseaturtle.Ihadtriedtoordermoremosquitocoilsbothbymailandbytelephothetelephonelinehadbeencut,andmailservicehadstoppedabouttwoweeksbefore.ThemoreIthoughtaboutit,themorecertainIwasthattherewasnothingtopreventthatcraftyseaturtlefromdoingjustleased.Untilnow,hesbeenforcedtodrinkaseabrihankstothemosquitocoilswehadwithus.Now,however,herobablysmilingteohimself,downatthebottomofthedeepbluesea,maybechugalittle,andtakinganapinpreparatihtfall.
"Wevedonefor,"shesaidtome."Whennightes,wedbothbedevouredbytheseaturtle."
"Wemustnotgiveuphope,"Isaid."Ifwewrackourbrains,weddefeatthisvileseaturtle."
"Buttheseaturtlestoleeverylastoneofourmosquitocoils."
"Weregottotrytothiically.Iftheseaturtlehatesmosquitocoilssomuch,theremustbesomethihathehatesaswell."
"Forexample?"
"JulioIglesias,"Isaid.
"WhyJulioIglesias?"sheasked.
"Idontknow.Itjustsuddenlypoppedintomyhead.Likeintuitionorsomething."
Followingmyinstincts,IputJulioIglesias"BegintheBegine"ontheHi-Fisystemsturntableandwaitedforsu.Whenitgotdark,theseaturtlewouldcertainlylaunchhisattack.Then,allwouldbedecided:whetherwewouldbeeaten,orwhethertheseaturtlewouldweep.
Justbeforemidnight,Iheardthesoundofsquishyfootstepsheentranceway,anddroppedtheneedleontotherecordstraightaway.WhenJulioIglesiasssugar-watervoicebegantosing"BegintheBegine,"thefootstepsimmediatelystopped,andintheirplacecouldbeheardaseaturtleanguishedmoaning.
Wehadbeateurtle.
Thatnight,JulioIglesiassang"BegintheBegine"126times.WhileIhateJulioIglesiastoo,itwasntnearlyasbadastheseaturtle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TimeMae
Or,theSerendipityofNoboruWatanabe,partII
byMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Therewasaknockatthedoor.
IleftthepeelofthetangerineIwaseatingontopofthekotatsuaothegenkan,onlytofindNoboruWatanabe(plumberandcollectorofpencilsharpeners)standingthere.Itwasabout6:30,soNoboruWatanabesaid"Goodevening."
"Goodevening,"Ireplied,notreallyknowingwhy."Uhh,Idontremembercallingforanywork..."
"Yes,Iknow.TodayIwouldliketoaskafavorofyou.Youhaveanoldfashioimemaeinyourhouse,andIthoughtthat...well,thatyoumightsidersingitforabrandnewone."
"Timemae?"Irepeatedtomyself,alittlesurprised.Butthesurprisewouldntgoaway."Yes,thereis,"Isaidcasually."Youwanttoseeit?"
"Yes,ifImight."
AndsoIapaniedNoboruWataomyfour-and-a-halfmatroom,withthetangeriillsittingorickotatsu.
"Ah,thetimemae,"hesaid.Ithoughthehadasenseofhumorkindoflikemine.
ButNoboruWatanabedidntlaugh.Rollingbackthekotatsufutonwithagravedemeanor,heturheknobs,checkedthegraduations,andtuggedgentlyatthefs,onebyone.
"Thisisanamazingpiece,sir,"hesaidwithasigh."Incredible.Itsa1971modelNationalHoka-Hoka.Ofcourseyouthinksotoo,sir?"
"Yeah,sure,"Irepliedagreeably.Ohelegswasalittlewobbly,butwarmthiswarmth.
SinoboruWatanabehadofferedtositforabraimemae,Itoldhim"Goahead."NorboruWataouttohisLightAceparkedinfrontofthehousearievedabrandrickotatsu(ortimemae)fromthetrunk,broughtitintomyroom,andexgeditfortheNational"Hoka-Hoka"(ortimemae),whichheheldtightlyinhisarmsasheboreitaway.
"Thanksagain,"NoboruWatanabesaidashewavedfromthedriversseat.Iwavedbadso,returningtomyroom,Ifiingmytangerine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Croquettes
byHarukiMurakami
TtranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Iwaswathomeonedaywhenagirlcamecalling.Sheretty,maybe18or19,andwreenwoolsweater.Standingnervouslyatthedoor,shefumbledwiththeclaspofherpurse.
"Umm,year-endbonus,sir,"shesaidinasoftvoice.
"Ah,soIosignforsomething,right?"Isaid.
"No,no.Imyouryear-endbonus."
"ImafraidIdontquiteuand."
"Well,yousee,tocutstraighttotheheartofthematter,youdowhateveryoulikewithme.Imagift.IwastoldtoeherebythemaKInchargeofcourtesygifts."
"Isee,"Igroaned.KInc.wasamajorpublishingpany,andIhaddoneworkforthemmanytimes.OnedaywhenIwasgettingdrunkwiththisparticularmanager,heaskedmewhatIwantedformyend-of-the-yearbonus,andIreplied"Ayounggirl."Ofcourse,Isaiditasajoke.NeverinmywildestdreamsdidIimagisuchatrulyfirst-ratepublisherwouldactuallydoit.
"Unfortunately,Imreallybusytoday.See,Ihavealotofworktofinishforadeadliomorrow,andanywayImnotreallyinthemoodforsexrightnow.Andthebedsnotmade.IfIhadknownyouwereingtoday,Icouldhavebeenprepared."
WhenIsaidthis,shebegantosob."Imuseless.Youtevengivemeaway.Itdoasihingright.Theywouldntevengivemeadriverslise."
"There,there,"Isaid.
Butthegirllookedlikeshewasjustgoingtokeepbawlinginmygenkan.And,therebeingneighborsaround,Ihadnochoicebuttoinviteherinandgiveheracupofcoffee.
"Ifyoudontwanttohavesex,letmedosomethingelseforyou.Thebosssaidtoprovideyouwithtwofullhoursofservice.Doyoulikekaraoke?Ising.ImreallygoodatElly,MyLovebySouthernAllStars."
"Idratheryounotsing,"Isaid,cuttingheroffquickly.Ifshedidsomethinglikethat,Idneverbeabletogetmyworkdone.
"ThenIllmakecroquettes.Imakeexcellentcroquettes."
"Great,"Isaid.Ireallylikecroquettesalot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PlayingCards
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
AftertherecordofJulioIglesiasworeout,therewasnothioprotectusfromtheattackoftheseaturtle.IthadonlybeenplayiheBegineofJulioIglesiaseverynightthatwehadmaokeeptheseaturtleaway.
"Wearefinished,aretwe?"shesaid."ThereisnomosquitocoilsandJuliosdisciswornout."
"Therehastobesomeotherway,"Isaid.
"HowaboutWillyNelsonorRichardClayderman?"
"No,itsonlyJuliothatworksfortheseaturtle,"Ik.
ThatdayIwenttotheshorealoneandpeeredintotheseafromafaroutrock.Theseaturtlenappedasusualcrougontheseabed.ItwasservingitspowerforthenightattaatterhowlongIlookeddownattheseaturtle,odriveitawayoccurredtome.Iwastootiredtoplaywithmyimagination.
Wewerefihistime,Ithought.Andendingourliveseatenbytheseaturtlewasmiserablewaytogo.Whatwouldmymotherthink?Heronlysoenbyaseaturtle!
Wewereresignedourselvestoourfateandfinishedourlastmeal.Whilecalmlydrinkiheseaturtlecameuponus.Itsfootstepsapproachedsteadilyanditslowlywalkedroundourhouse.
"Nowweredonefor,"shesaidholdingmyhands.
"Wehavetogiveup.Itsashortbutpleasantlife,"Isaid.
Thedoorcreakedopenaurtlepeepedandfoundoutthattherewasnomosquitocoils,andnosongofJulioIglesiaseither.Adeckofplayingcardswasgraspedbyitshands.
Playingcards?
Andsihenallwedo,allthreeofus,isplaythecardgame,51everynight.Itsnotsuchafumuchbetterthanbeienalive.Besides,itsnotasifwewerelisteningtoJulioIglesiaseverynightbychoice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neer
byMURAKAMIHaruki
translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
TheextremebehaviorofthebigmonkeysontheGinzalinecarriedonformonthsbeforeanyofitgotintothenews.FriendsofmioldmeiailsoftheirownexperiendIwitbymyself.
Thebigmonkeysragedoninthiswaybutnothingappearedintheneersandtherewasnosignofapolivestigation.Iftheneersandpolisideredthecurseofthebigmonkeysunworthyofattention,Iwouldseriouslyurgethemtoresider.ThoughatthistimethebigmonkeysactivitiesarelimitedtotheGinzalihereisnoguaratheywontspreadtotheMarunouchiorHanzomowillbetoolatetotakeastepafterthat.
AfromthecurseofthebigmonkeyIwitnessedwasrelativelyharmlessohappenedonFebruary15,thedayafterSaintValentinesday.IwastakingtheGinzalinefromOmotesandotoToranomon.AwelldressedofficeworkerinhisearlyfortiessatomeandwaseagerlyreadingameditionofTheMainieer.Hewasreadinganartititled‘DepreciationofthedollarbringsUSeyinflation?’Iglaanewbookadbelowit,“5kgdietgesyourlife.”.
ThetrainapproachedtheAkasakamitsukestation,thelightswentoff,asusual,andthencameonagaiinstant.WhenIlookedattheMainieeroncemore,therewasanobviousmishap.Itwasturnedupside-down.
‘?noitalfniymonoceSUsgnirbrallodehtfonoitaicerpeD’
“efilruoysegnahcteidgk5”
‘Ohdear!Thebigmonkeydiditagain,’theofficeworkersaidtome.‘Whatisthegoverwaitingfor?’
‘Yes,indeed,’Ireplied.
Itwouldbedifficultforus,ifitlastsforeverlikethis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donutization
HarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
AtthetimewhenmygirlfriendwithwhomIhadbeengoingoutforthreeyears,andtowhomIwasengaged,donutized,andourrelationshipsubsequentlyfellapart--Imean,whoamongusreallygetalongwithadonutizedgirlfriend?--Istarteddrinkinginbarsnearlyeverynight,andhadgrownthinanddrawnlikeHumphreyBogartin"TheTreasureofSierraMadre."
"Look,BigBrother:dumpher,ifonlyformysake.Ifyougoohis,youthelpbutfallapart,"mysisteradvised."Iknowwhatyourefeeling,butdonutizedpeopleurntonormal.Youhavenochoicebuttobreakupwithher."
Shewasabsolutelyright.Justasshesaid,onceapersonisdonutized,theystaydonutizedforever.Icalledthefreakonthephoneandsaidgoodbye."Ihatebreakingup,butintheend,Iguessitsjustfate.Illneverfetyou...bleah,bleah,bleah"
"Youstilldo?"thedonutizedgirlfriendsaid."Theterofourhumaenothing.Thereisnothing,likeazero.Whydontyoutakealong,hardlookatthisvoid?Whydoyouinsistonlookingonlyatthethingsimmediatelyaroundyou?"
Why?ThatwasthequestionIwaoaskher.Whydodonutizedpeopleonlythinkinsuarrow-minded,parochialways?
Butanyway,thatshowIbrokeupwithmygirlfriend.Thatwastwo.Then,lastspring,mylittlesister,fornoapparentreason,donutizedaswell.AftergraduatingfromJouiversity,andbeginningtoworkforJapanAirlines,shewasinthelobbyofaSapporohotelonedayonabusirip,whenshesuddenlydonutized.Mymotherstayedathomedayafterdayandcriedherlifeaway.Icallmysisteronthephoneonawhile,justtoseehowshesdoing.
"Youstilldo?"mydonutizedlittlesistersays."Theterofourhumaenceis..."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antithesis
byMURAKAMIHaruki
translatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Apicturecardatlastarrivedfrommyuncle.WedidnothearfromhimsincehehadgooBorneolastSeptembertocattithesis.Althoughithadanordinarydesignwiththatusualhouseonstiltsanduttrees,theletteritselffromtheuncle,famousforpoorletterwriter,isquiteamazing.
“Unfortunately,Antithesis,wecallitabigone,disappearedretlyeveninthisplace,”hewrote.Itslettersareshakysieito.
“NativessaidtheyhavenotseenAntithesisof8meterclassforyears.Icaughtomonthwithfivemeterstwenty-fivelong.Obviouslyamiddleclass,butacctothemit’seventhemiracle.Quitemygrief.RegardingthedecreaseofAntithesis,someonesaysit’scausedbylessvolicashandanothersaysit’sduetothegeothermalge.Butnooneknowsdefinitereasons.Ifthinggoohis,I’llgobacktoJapanbyJune.”
Anoldpictureofmyuncle,posinginfrontofthetwelveandahalfmeterAntithesiscarriedbynatives,washunginmyroom.Myunclefoundthesuper-bigfishin1966anditwasofficiallyrecordedasthebiggestAntithesiscaughtin1960’s.Atthattime,hewasintheprimetimeastheAntithesishunterafirmlyhisstrongdrivefromthepicture.ItwasthehappytimeliketheAgeofDiscoveryforAntithesishunters.
ToenterrealshinyAntithesisinFreaurantsbecameashardastocatchafallieoritebyatennisracket.Ofcoursesometimesit’sonthemeoday.Butit’stakenfraheyarefromIndia,dryandalmosttasteless,smallAntithesis,furthermoretheyarefrozen.Ifmyunclefindssuchamenu,hewilltearittopiecesimmediately.Becausehekeptsaying,“BigAntithesis,ornothing”.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eels
HarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
Itwas3:30inthemwhenIgotaphonecallfromMayKasahara,thatabruptlyroustedmefromadeepsleep.InthemidstofthesoftwarmmudofthevelveteensleepinwhichIwassubmerged,eelsandrubberbootscrowdedarouheoveralleffectbeingthatIwasgreedilydevthefruitofthisluxurianthappiness.Itwasthusthatthephonecallcame.
Ringring.
First,thefruitvahentheeelsandtherubberboots;andfinallythemudaswell,sothatatlastonlyIwasleft.Justme:37yearsold,drunk,andnotparticularlylikeable.Whatrightdoesaheworldhavetodeprivemeofmyeelsandrubberboots?
Ringring.
"Hello,"MayKasaharasaid."Areyouthere?"
"Uh,yeah...hello,"Iresponded.
"Hey,itsMayKasahara.Sorryforcallingsolate.Butthereareantsinginagain.Theybuiltaihesidepillarsi.WechasedImoutofthebathroom,buttheyjustmovedtheir.Idnotkidding:theymovedthewholething.Rightdowntothespeckledwhitebabies.Itstandit!So,like,brihatsprayagain,OK?Iknowitslateahing,butItotallyhateants.Soe?"
Inthedarkness,Ishookmyheadviolently.WhointheworldwasthisMayKasahara?WhowasthisMayKasahara,whohadrobbedmeofmyeels?
Itriedaskihesequestions.
"Oh,Imsosorry.Imusthavemadeamistake,"saidMayKasahara,soundinggenuinelyapologetic."Thisantproblemhasreallygotmeflustered,eversiheymovedtheir.Sorry."
Heavingasigh,Icrawledbamyfuton,yeyes,andtriedtofindthosefriendlyeelsihickmudofsleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKAYAMANoriko-sanandmysexualdesire
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
Uptonowinmylife,IhavewalkedwithmanywomensidebysidebutnotwithsuchaquianwalkerasTAKAYAMANoriko-say-fiveyearsold.Shestridesthestreetswithaverycheerfulway,swingingherarmsbadforthrefreshingly,asiftosay,“I’mjustoiled”.Fromalittlefarway,sheseemslikeaspider-flywearingtransparentwings.Sheissoswiftandsmooth,looksveryhappylikealightaftertheheavyrain.
WhenIwalkedwithherforthefirsttime(wewalkedfromthefrontofSendagayaelementaryschooltoAoyamaIe),Iwassoastohherspeedandthoughtmypanyannoyedherandshehopedtopartfrommeassoonaspossiblewithsuunusualspeed.OrIthoughtsheplaleasttoreducemysexualdesirewithafuriousspeed(however,asIhadnosexualdesiretoher,Iwoworkedornot.)
Ittooksomemonthstorealizeherquickspacehasnospecialmeaningbutsheonlylikestowalkasifflying.EarlywinterIsawheratthefrontoftheYotsuyastation,walkingaloneincrowds,alsothenshemovedfromsomeplaeplathisgroundokyo”withthatawfulspeed,wemightcallitanunreasonablespeed.Shewaswalkinggrippingastrapofherhandbagwithherrighthand,flappingskirtsofhertrenchcoatinthewindandstraighteningherspine.
WhenItookseveralstepstoherandwantedsomething,shewasfarforwardandIwasleftaloneinfrontoftheYotsuyastationinanawkwardmannerlikeRossanoBrazziiseof“Summertime”.ButIleasedtoknowTAKAYAMANoriko-sandidnotmisuandmysexualdesire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Octopus
byHarukiMurakami
TranslatedbyChristopherAllison
NoboruWatameapostcardictureofanoctopusonit.Beheoctopus,ashortnotehadbeenwritteninacrampedhand.
"Ithasetomyattentionthatyourenderedmydaughterinvaluableservicewhileridingthesubwaytheotherday,forwhichIwaendmyheartiestthanks.Letsgoouttoeatoctopussometimesoon."
Iwasverysurprisedwhehis.Ihadonlyjustgottenbaatrip,andforonereasonoranother,hadnothadcausetoridethesubwayfornearlytwomonths,nordidIrememberrenderinghisdaughteranyaid.Forthatmatter,Ididntevenknowhehadadaughter.Iguesshehadmefusedwithsomeoneelse.
Buteatingoctopustogetherdidntsoundsobad.
IwroteNoboruWatater.Ocard,thereictureofathrush,behwhichIwrote:
"Thankyouforyourpostcardoftheotherday.Ilikeoctopusalot.Letsgoouttoeattogether.Pleasetactmeattheendofthemonth."
AfullmonthpassedwithoutanyresponsefromNoboruWatanabe.Heprobablyletitpassasamatterofcourtesy,Ithought.AndalthoughIhadthestradesiretoeatoctopusthatmonth,Iheldoff,uheassumptionthatIwasgoioctopuswithNoboruWatanabe.
JustaboutthetimeIwasfettingaboutNoboruWatanabeandoctopaialtogether,Ireceivedanotherpostcardfromhim.Thistimethereictureofamanboonit.Behis,therewasanote.
"Thatoctopustheotherdaywasdelicious.IthadbeenalongtimeindeedsinceIhadeatensuchdeliciousoctopusasthat.Butingtheopinionsyouexpressedatthattime,Imusttakesomeissue.Astheparentofadaughterofaboutthatage,Iottolerateyoursexualvalues.Letsgettogetheranddiscussthematterleisurelyovernabesometime."
Oh,well,Isighed.NoboruWatanabehasmemixedupwithsomeoneelseyetagain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARaidbytheOldManMushikubo
ByMURAKAMIHaruki
TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio
“IamtheOldManMushikubo.”theOldManMushikubosaidandclearedhithroat.
“Yes,Iknowyou.”Ireplied.Anyinhabitantsaroundhereknowhim.
“SorryfornonoticebuttodayI’dliketospeakwithyouaboutvirginityofyounggirls.”
“Wait…,waitaminute.Iamnowpreparingmysupper.Maybeanotherdayforthestory…”Itriedtopushbackhiminahurrybuthecaughtawhiffofitandpushedhalfofhisbodyquicklyintothedoor.
“Itdoesn’ttakealongtime.Ifyoulike,youcookthere.eakhereduringyourcooking.”
Really,’tbehelped,thinkinginmind,Icutgarlideggplantwithakitknife,Shuko-Shoko-Shuko.Hewasreallycarefultoenterproperlyfromthekitdoor.AlthoughtheOldMan松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
推荐自己的新书《天命讨债人》齐天大魔猴
桀骜齐天圣，铮铮大魔猴
第817章 四公子当真与众不同？清穿后每天被迫撩
【欢脱独宠，沙雕撩夫日
新书《谜城》开启神峰
一次偶然， 他踏足修
第270章 酒吧偶遇网游之影子大师
我，在黑夜中行走 我
007儿女成群婚城难入
十八岁的她，一心想用高
第四百一十六章 邀请剑神之剑弑乾坤
《剑神之剑弑乾坤》是一
声明：本站所收录之:村上春树短篇集- Spider Monkey at Night、言情小说、玄幻、网游小说、及短篇作品、均为本站作者及网友上传。
并不代表本站立场!本站亦无法严格审:村上春树短篇集最新章节其版权归属。如您对村上春树短篇集TXT下载持有版权方面的异议，请联系本站客服。我们将于72小时内处理。
Copyright (C) 2019 All Rights Reserved 版权所有：松语文学
并不代表本站立场!本站亦无法严格审:村上春树短篇集最新章节其版权归属。如您对村上春树短篇集TXT下载持有版权方面的异议，请联系本站客服。我们将于72小时内处理。
Copyright (C) 2019 All Rights Reserved 版权所有：松语文学