MS-HRC-SB-4-3

[0050] with what I saw. [0051] People and things ask nothing better than to
play, certain animals too. [0052] All went well at first, they all came
to me, pleased that someone should want to play with them. [0053] If I
said, Now I need a hunchback, immediately one came running, proud
as punch of his fine hunch that was going to perform. [0054] It did not
occur to him that I might have to ask him to undress. [0055] But it was
not long before I found myself alone, in the dark.

[0056] That is why
I gave up trying to play and took to myself for ever shapeless-
ness and speechlessness, incurious wondering, dark^ness, long stumb-
ling with outstretched arms, hiding. [0057] Such is the earnestness from
which, for nearly a century now, I have never been able to
depart. [0058] From now on it will be different. I shall never do any-
thing any more from now on but play.

[0059] No, I must not begin with
an exaggeration. [0060] But I shall play a great part of the time, from
now on, the greater part, if I can. [0061] But perhaps I shall not
succeed any better than hitherto. [0062] Perhaps as hitherto I shall
find myself abandoned, in the dark, without anything to play
with. [0063] Then I shall play with myself. [0064] To have been able to con-
ceive such a plan is encouraging.

[0065] I must have thought about my time-table during the night. [0066] I
think I shall be able to tell myself four stories, each one
on a different theme. [0067] One about a man, another about a woman,
a third about a thing and finally one about an animal, a bird
probably. [0068] I think that is everything. [0070] Perhaps I shall put the
man and the woman in the same story, there is so little difference
between a man and a woman, between mine I mean. [0071] Perhaps I shall
not have time to finish. [0072] On the other hand perhaps I shall finish