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صديقان وقصص أخرى
Do your students enjoy a good laugh? Do they like to be scared? Or do they just like a book with a happy ending? No matter what their taste, our Creative Short Stories series has the answer.
We've taken some of the world's best stories from dark, musty anthologies and brought them into the light, giving them the individual attention they deserve. Each book in the series has been designed with today's young reader in mind. As the words come to life, students will develop a lasting appreciation for great literature.
The humor of Mark Twain...the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe...the danger of Jack London...the sensitivity of Katherine Mansfield. Creative Short Stories has it all and will prove to be a welcome addition to any library.
206 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 1883
14 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Guy de Maupassant
6,986books2,925followersHenri René Albert Guy de Maupassant was a popular 19th-century French writer. He is one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protege of Flaubert, Maupassant's short stories are characterized by their economy of style and their efficient effortless dénouement. He also wrote six short novels. A number of his stories often denote the futility of war and the innocent civilians who get crushed in it - many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 22, 2019
مجموعة قصص مليئة بالحكمة والمعاني الانسانية
القصص الأولى تدور حول الحرب الفرنسية-الألمانية وغزو بروسيا لفرنسا وقتها، ربما كان افضلها قصة "مغامرة فالترشناتس" شديدة السخرية
بقية القصص لا تخلو من هدف اخلاقي أو انساني، لكن الحبكات لم تعجبني
بشكل عام مجموعة تستحق القراءة
القصص الأولى تدور حول الحرب الفرنسية-الألمانية وغزو بروسيا لفرنسا وقتها، ربما كان افضلها قصة "مغامرة فالترشناتس" شديدة السخرية
بقية القصص لا تخلو من هدف اخلاقي أو انساني، لكن الحبكات لم تعجبني
بشكل عام مجموعة تستحق القراءة
January 15, 2018
Some days they did not speak; at other times they chatted; but they understood each other perfectly without the aid of words, having similar tastes and feelings.
That must be a good memory.
Good times. The river was tinted with the delicate color of a soothing setting sun. Until a blood-red glow took over the whole land. For war had begun.
And the two began placidly discussing political problems with the sound common sense of peaceful, matter-of-fact citizens--agreeing on one point: that they would never be free.
An imminent ending. A brief moment to decide. Your country. Your life.
And during the brevity of that moment, the natural reaction of holding on to nice memories, I believe. Blissful minutes that make up a life. The sun. The river. The silence. Or maybe just the sound of the cannons.
And heroes cry. Heroes cry.
The desperate sense of resignation while saying goodbye.
Dec 4, 2015
* Also on .
November 29, 2019
And with that, I complete my 2019 reading challenge.
.
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What a beautiful yet tragic tale! Not a word wasted; as a reader noted. The friendship between two humble Parisians in the face of war-torn France. And what true friendship, patriotism, and honor means, amplified to staggering volumes, in mere 6 pages.
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COMMENDABLE PIECE OF WORK. JUST PERFECT. YES! A not-to-be-missed tale.
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What a beautiful yet tragic tale! Not a word wasted; as a reader noted. The friendship between two humble Parisians in the face of war-torn France. And what true friendship, patriotism, and honor means, amplified to staggering volumes, in mere 6 pages.
.
.
COMMENDABLE PIECE OF WORK. JUST PERFECT. YES! A not-to-be-missed tale.
July 19, 2017
قصص جميلة جداً ، كل قصة لها مغزى وتنطوى على حكمة
و أسلوب الكاتب بسيط ، وأيضا ترجمة سيلفانا الخوري متقنة جداً
April 15, 2021
Un coup du sort
La meilleure de la fournée de nouvelles écoutées pendant mon service de nuit à côté d'autres fournées, celles-ci, de viennoiseries.
Cette nouvelle se passe à Paris et dans ses alentours, pendant le siège de 1870.
C'est l'histoire de deux amis passionnés de pêche. Leur petit repaire favori leur manque, depuis que Paris est cerclée d'avant-postes, assiégée par l'armée prussienne. Ils se débrouillent bientôt pour obtenir un laissez-passer d'un ami colonel et gagnent les abords d'Argenteuil, non loin de la forteresse du Mont Valérien .
S'appliquant à pêcher, ils se mettent à discuter de tout, des luttes intestines en France entre partisans de la république et partisans de la monarchie, mais surtout de la bêtise de la guerre, des morts atroces et superflues.
Ils se font bientôt surprendre par un régiment allemand. Convaincus d'espionnage, on leur propose de céder leur passe-droit de retour en échange de quoi les Allemands leur laisseront la vie sauve.
La meilleure de la fournée de nouvelles écoutées pendant mon service de nuit à côté d'autres fournées, celles-ci, de viennoiseries.
Cette nouvelle se passe à Paris et dans ses alentours, pendant le siège de 1870.
C'est l'histoire de deux amis passionnés de pêche. Leur petit repaire favori leur manque, depuis que Paris est cerclée d'avant-postes, assiégée par l'armée prussienne. Ils se débrouillent bientôt pour obtenir un laissez-passer d'un ami colonel et gagnent les abords d'Argenteuil, non loin de la forteresse du Mont Valérien .
S'appliquant à pêcher, ils se mettent à discuter de tout, des luttes intestines en France entre partisans de la république et partisans de la monarchie, mais surtout de la bêtise de la guerre, des morts atroces et superflues.
Ils se font bientôt surprendre par un régiment allemand. Convaincus d'espionnage, on leur propose de céder leur passe-droit de retour en échange de quoi les Allemands leur laisseront la vie sauve.
June 3, 2024
Two men in Paris, assigned "home-guard" duties during the Franco - Prussian war (c. 1870), meet for a drink or two, hungry and bored. They originally had met outside the city where they both used to fish on weekends. They get along in an effortless manner.
They are two friends. They enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing in a scenic location.
Not much more can be said about this short story. The tone is straightforward, although lush at times when attempting to capture the magnificence of a sunset on the flowing river.
The two friends are joined together because, companionably, neither man feels the need to talk. And that is how they meet their fate.
They are two friends. They enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing in a scenic location.
Not much more can be said about this short story. The tone is straightforward, although lush at times when attempting to capture the magnificence of a sunset on the flowing river.
The two friends are joined together because, companionably, neither man feels the need to talk. And that is how they meet their fate.
June 11, 2015
متأكده اني قرأت لدي موباسان في مراهقتي عند مكتبة خوالي القديمة. لماذا؟ لأنه بكل قصه أتذكر الزاويه المظلمة بجانب الثلاجة حين كنت أسرق كتاباً وأختفي بها لأقرأه. ومعظم القصص تذكرني بذلك. هل سبق وقرأت الكتاب دون أن أدري؟
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قصه العقد XD أتذكر كيف كان يعاد قص الحادثة وكأنها تحققت في إحدى البلاد الأجنبية وكمية النصح والمحاضرات التي تقام وتستشهد بها خخخخ ياشماته أبله ظاظا فيكم xD
//
على كُل حال، مازلت ألوم نفسي على تجنبي لي موباسان في السابق، مسألة ان اسم الكاتب ماعجبك مفروض ماتصير أساس لتجنب مؤلفاته.
اسلوبه بسيط وسلس وأقرب "لسواليف". طريقة سرده للقصص المختلفة لكن بنفس طريقة التعريف تجعلك تشعر بإنتماء غريب، وكأنك جالس عند حكواتي تعرفه ويخبرك بقصص سمعها وعاصرها بنفسه.
كما أن التنوع الكثيف بالشخصيات والأحداث "رغم أن الثيمات تتشابه" يجعلك ترى كُل قصة بوجهة نظر مختلفة. وكأنه يجرب تأثير كُل تصرف بشري على الحكم والناتج النهائي.
دراسة مبسطة لردود الفعل البشرية. دراسة بشرية للمشاعر بأبسط الطرق "الظاهره". لكن لما تجلس تفكر فيها، تجدك تغرق بأعماق من الإحتمالات والتحليلات الشخصية.
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قصه العقد XD أتذكر كيف كان يعاد قص الحادثة وكأنها تحققت في إحدى البلاد الأجنبية وكمية النصح والمحاضرات التي تقام وتستشهد بها خخخخ ياشماته أبله ظاظا فيكم xD
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على كُل حال، مازلت ألوم نفسي على تجنبي لي موباسان في السابق، مسألة ان اسم الكاتب ماعجبك مفروض ماتصير أساس لتجنب مؤلفاته.
اسلوبه بسيط وسلس وأقرب "لسواليف". طريقة سرده للقصص المختلفة لكن بنفس طريقة التعريف تجعلك تشعر بإنتماء غريب، وكأنك جالس عند حكواتي تعرفه ويخبرك بقصص سمعها وعاصرها بنفسه.
كما أن التنوع الكثيف بالشخصيات والأحداث "رغم أن الثيمات تتشابه" يجعلك ترى كُل قصة بوجهة نظر مختلفة. وكأنه يجرب تأثير كُل تصرف بشري على الحكم والناتج النهائي.
دراسة مبسطة لردود الفعل البشرية. دراسة بشرية للمشاعر بأبسط الطرق "الظاهره". لكن لما تجلس تفكر فيها، تجدك تغرق بأعماق من الإحتمالات والتحليلات الشخصية.
December 7, 2015
Un cuento espléndido sobre lo maravilloso de la amistad y la crueldad absurda de la guerra.
Aproveché y leí "A las aguas". Otro cuento perfecto: la belleza de los Alpes, el amor y el sinsentido de los prejuicios que nos invaden.
Donde haya un clásico, que se aparten los demás. Seguiré leyéndolo aquí:
Un artículo interesante:
Aproveché y leí "A las aguas". Otro cuento perfecto: la belleza de los Alpes, el amor y el sinsentido de los prejuicios que nos invaden.
Donde haya un clásico, que se aparten los demás. Seguiré leyéndolo aquí:
Un artículo interesante:
August 23, 2023
AKA: Deux amis
Monsieur Sauvage and Monsieur Morissot are passionate about their weekend fishing expeditions along the Seine and decide to go there after imbibing a couple of absinthe aperitifs on a lovely autumn day. They do this despite the fact that the Prussian army has surrounded Paris after their resounding victory at Sedan in the 1870 war. Their favorite fishing spot turns out to be in the no-man’s land beyond the French Army’s defensive positions, but M. Sauvage knows the French commanding officer who will gladly give them a pass, and off they go, on their last-ever fishing expedition.
Monsieur Sauvage and Monsieur Morissot are passionate about their weekend fishing expeditions along the Seine and decide to go there after imbibing a couple of absinthe aperitifs on a lovely autumn day. They do this despite the fact that the Prussian army has surrounded Paris after their resounding victory at Sedan in the 1870 war. Their favorite fishing spot turns out to be in the no-man’s land beyond the French Army’s defensive positions, but M. Sauvage knows the French commanding officer who will gladly give them a pass, and off they go, on their last-ever fishing expedition.
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February 12, 2025Never go fishing during war 😃
January 23, 2019
Le narrateur mis en scène dans cette toute petite nouvelle, une histoire de deux amis pêcheurs. Leurs pêches ne leurs donner que la mort, car la guerre enfin ne laisse personne avoir seulement une si petite indulgence.
February 5, 2019
L'histoire est assez banale, mais pas mal
April 5, 2023
صديقان من القصص القلائل التي قرأتها بمثل هذه النهاية لانني عادةً لا احبذ هذا النوع من النهايات
الحرب ، السلام ، السياسة .... لا يذهب ضحيتها الا الناس البسطاء
الحرب ، السلام ، السياسة .... لا يذهب ضحيتها الا الناس البسطاء
March 2, 2014
There is not a single wasted word here. I think it shows among other things the arbitrariness of war. The two men simply want to relive a joyful thing that they did before the war. On a spontaneous whim they decide to go fishing and choose to disregard the potential danger. In the end they turn out to be war heroes -- something they never would have expected and never wanted.
de Maupassant in only six pages is able to evoke the helplessness, futility, randomness and suddenness that happens to people during war.
de Maupassant in only six pages is able to evoke the helplessness, futility, randomness and suddenness that happens to people during war.
December 26, 2014
.صديقان وقصص اخرى من السلسلة الناشئة الفرنسية،تجمع هذه القصص خمس عشرة قصة من أسلوب الأدبي القصصي نهاية القرن التاسع عشر وبداية القرن العشرين، قصة صديقان التى تفتح المجموعة ذات مغزى ممتاز لمفهوم الصداقة والتضحية وعزة النفس وإلخ لكل قصة معنى، إذا كانت السلسة الناشئة
بشكل هذا كيف حاتكون باقي الكُتب في فرنسا!
ترجمة سيلفانا الخوري ممتازة، وشكرًا لمشروع كلمة ..
بشكل هذا كيف حاتكون باقي الكُتب في فرنسا!
ترجمة سيلفانا الخوري ممتازة، وشكرًا لمشروع كلمة ..
August 18, 2022
Korak ih
povazda u lov.
Zamku to zapinje ruka,
noga u zamci.
Love,
a ulovljeni.
S večeri, tugo,
ko kome plen?
March 22, 2018
Two Friends by Guy de Massupant is a great short story for anyone who is ten years and older. Some of the main themes in the short story are loyalty, friendship, and wartime.
Loyalty is seen when Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot refuse to give the password that allowed them into Prussian occupied territory to the Prussian officer towards the end of the story. Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot stood by their country and by each other even when the Prussian soldier asked each of them in private what password permitted them access to the occupied territory. Their loyalty and bravery caused them to lose their lives but the strength of their friendship is shown symbolically when the two are tied together and thrown into the river by the German soldiers.
Friendship is portrayed throughout the story and can be specifically seen when the story flashes back to how Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot met and built a strong bond over their passion for fishing. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot lost contact with each other. One day as they were both walking down the street, they reunited with one another for the first time in a while and reminisced about old times. Eventually, nostalgia got the best of them and they decided to go back to their old spot to do their favorite pastime.
Massupant depicts wartime when he sets the scene of the story. He explains how Paris is experiencing a famine and how animals are becoming scarce. He creates imagery in the reader’s mind when describing how Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot peaceful fishing time was disturbed by the sound of a cannon firing. They both began talking about how the war was preventing citizens from enjoying their everyday lives and is causing a pointless destruction of mankind. The story overall has a lot of interesting literary analysis and can be viewed from a variety of perspectives making it a great short story that stimulates the mind!
Loyalty is seen when Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot refuse to give the password that allowed them into Prussian occupied territory to the Prussian officer towards the end of the story. Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot stood by their country and by each other even when the Prussian soldier asked each of them in private what password permitted them access to the occupied territory. Their loyalty and bravery caused them to lose their lives but the strength of their friendship is shown symbolically when the two are tied together and thrown into the river by the German soldiers.
Friendship is portrayed throughout the story and can be specifically seen when the story flashes back to how Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot met and built a strong bond over their passion for fishing. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot lost contact with each other. One day as they were both walking down the street, they reunited with one another for the first time in a while and reminisced about old times. Eventually, nostalgia got the best of them and they decided to go back to their old spot to do their favorite pastime.
Massupant depicts wartime when he sets the scene of the story. He explains how Paris is experiencing a famine and how animals are becoming scarce. He creates imagery in the reader’s mind when describing how Monsieur Sauvage and Morissot peaceful fishing time was disturbed by the sound of a cannon firing. They both began talking about how the war was preventing citizens from enjoying their everyday lives and is causing a pointless destruction of mankind. The story overall has a lot of interesting literary analysis and can be viewed from a variety of perspectives making it a great short story that stimulates the mind!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2021
To be quite frank, I thought this was going to be longer and better. But I have to acknowledge the writing style, it is excellent!
June 14, 2022
مجموعة قصصية كلاسيكية رائعة للعظيم موپاسان تجمع خمس عشرة قصة نتعلم منها دروس وعبر جمة.
اللغة بسيطة جداً وسلسة ومناسبة لكل الأعمار والترجمة أقل ما يقال عنها أنها عظييييمة🌟
من مفضلاتي:
- قصة الحِلية أو كما نعرفها ب"العقد" "The Necklace�.
-صديقان
- الأم سوفاج
- الحُفرة
- بييرو
- الحبل
- عمي جول
أكثر ما أحببته في قصصه طابع الكوميديا السوداء.
أنصح به بشدة🌟
اللغة بسيطة جداً وسلسة ومناسبة لكل الأعمار والترجمة أقل ما يقال عنها أنها عظييييمة🌟
من مفضلاتي:
- قصة الحِلية أو كما نعرفها ب"العقد" "The Necklace�.
-صديقان
- الأم سوفاج
- الحُفرة
- بييرو
- الحبل
- عمي جول
أكثر ما أحببته في قصصه طابع الكوميديا السوداء.
أنصح به بشدة🌟
February 9, 2023
4/5 estrellas.
¿Más triste no había?
Te amodio Guy de Maupassant.
¿Más triste no había?
Te amodio Guy de Maupassant.
April 6, 2022
That was little much dramatic. Our characters act like hero.
July 15, 2019
Two Friends by Guy de Maupassant is a touching story about two French fishermen who make an attempt to come back to their hobby (catching fish) during the war with Prussia.
Two main characters indulge in nostalgic memories about the peaceful life they had before the war. The story represents the best qualities of two friends: they are honest, sincere and love their fatherland. The story is realistic and tragic, without a happy ending.
Here is the link to the text of the story (page 24 in the file):
Two main characters indulge in nostalgic memories about the peaceful life they had before the war. The story represents the best qualities of two friends: they are honest, sincere and love their fatherland. The story is realistic and tragic, without a happy ending.
Here is the link to the text of the story (page 24 in the file):
December 17, 2017
“Two Friends� (first published in 1883 and takes place the Franco- Prussian war in France) by Guy de Maupassant is one of the best short stories ever written before. It is about two men who go fishing as a habit in every Sunday morning; Monsieur Morissot who is a watchmaker and the other one Mosieur Sauvage who is a draper. The story sets on Paris, during the enclosure but mostly it sets on the fishing spot where they used to go fishing before the war. Also it sets on across the Ile Marante where these two friends� fate come up. Actually the story begins with the unexpected encounter of these two friends. All I can say for the rest of the story is the narrator leaves questions on the reader’s mind. What if they would not encounter? What could happen then? It is easy to find the symbol of the story; fish. The fish can be resembled with the fate which the two men has. In the ending part, the containment of the soldiers makes clear that what will happen because this story sets on during the war. So the reader can predict what is going on and what will happen next. This story can be considered as a great example of friendship (and also one of the themes) because after all these many times which they could not meet and fishing, they act as if they would not seperated and go fishing again to remember these old days. The other theme of the story can be considered war. Without war, they would be free and they would not need any password. They just want to do something normal although it is a war time. I suggest this story because it is about a friendship during a wartime, easy to read and also it only takes 20 minutes of your time to read.
October 29, 2021
When you see the title of Guy de Maupassant's "Two Friends", I start to think of a happy story with two friends, but I was assuming too much. This powerful short story about war, country and friendship, speaks volumes.
Story in short- Monsieur Morissot and Monsieur Sauvage decide to go fishing though hunger and enemies surrounded them.
I did not read this edition but from a Delphi collection of his works.
"Besieged Paris was in the throes of famine. Even the sparrows on the roofs and the rats in the sewers were growing scarce. People were eating anything they could get. As Monsieur Morissot, watchmaker by profession and idler for the nonce, was strolling along the boulevard one bright January morning, his hands in his trousers pockets and stomach empty, he suddenly came face to face with an acquaintance Monsieur Sauvage, a fishing chum."
"Some days they did not speak; at other times they chatted; but they understood each other perfectly without the aid of words, having similar tastes and feelings."
"Monsieur Sauvage, pointing to the heights, murmured: “The Prussians are up yonder!� And the sight of the deserted country filled the two friends with vague misgivings. The Prussians! They had never seen them as yet, but they had felt their presence in the neighborhood of Paris for months past � ruining France, pillaging, massacring, starving them. And a kind of superstitious terror mingled with the hatred they already felt toward this unknown, victorious nation."
"And they made their way through one of the vineyards, bent double, creeping along beneath the cover afforded by the vines, with eye and ear alert. A strip of bare ground remained to be crossed before they could gain the river bank. They ran across this, and, as soon as they were at the water’s edge, concealed themselves among the dry reeds."
"They slipped their catch gently into a close-meshed bag lying at their feet; they were filled with joy � the joy of once more indulging in a pastime of which they had long been deprived. The sun poured its rays on their backs; they no longer heard anything or thought of anything. They ignored the rest of the world; they were fishing."
“They are at it again!� he said. Morissot, who was anxiously watching his float bobbing up and down, was suddenly seized with the angry impatience of a peaceful man toward the madmen who were firing thus, and remarked indignantly: “What fools they are to kill one another like that!�
"And Morissot, who had just caught a bleak, declared: “And to think that it will be just the same so long as there are governments!� “The Republic would not have declared war,� interposed Monsieur Sauvage. Morissot interrupted him: “Under a king we have foreign wars; under a republic we have civil war.�
"And the two began placidly discussing political problems with the sound common sense of peaceful, matter-of- fact citizens � agreeing on one point: that they would never be free. And Mont-Valerien thundered ceaselessly, demolishing the houses of the French with its cannon balls, grinding lives of men to powder, destroying many a dream, many a cherished hope, many a prospective happiness; ruthlessly causing endless woe and suffering in the hearts of wives, of daughters, of mothers, in other lands."
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
The two friends who have a brief moment of the past comfort while fishing until they are caught by a Prussian officer who seems friendly at first turns into a evil enemy. When the men refuse to give information that would harm their countrymen, they are executed. The officer could have kept them prisoner or left them go since they were not armed and just fishing. The cruelty and evilness of the officer's remarks. The friends taken aside were not untrue to each other and saw their fate. A story not easily forgotten!
“You must know that, in my eyes, you are two spies sent to reconnoitre me and my movements. Naturally, I capture you and I shoot you. You pretended to be fishing, the better to disguise your real errand."
"You have fallen into my hands, and must take the consequences. Such is war. “But as you came here through the outposts you must have a password for your return. Tell me that password and I will let you go.� The two friends, pale as death, stood silently side by side, a slight fluttering of the hands alone betraying their emotion. “No one will ever know,� continued the officer. “You will return peacefully to your homes, and the secret will disappear with you. If
you refuse, it means death-instant death. Choose!� They stood motionless, and did not open their lips."
“Quick! the password! Your friend will know nothing. I will pretend to relent.� Morissot answered not a word."
"Then the Prussian took Monsieur Sauvage aside in like manner, and made him the same proposal. Monsieur Sauvage made no reply. Again they stood side by side. The officer issued his orders; the soldiers raised their rifles. Then by chance Morissot’s eyes fell on the bag full of gudgeon lying in the grass a few feet from him. A ray of sunlight made the still quivering fish glisten like silver. And Morissot’s heart sank. Despite his efforts at self-control his eyes filled with tears."
“Good-by, Monsieur Sauvage,� he faltered. “Good-by, Monsieur Morissot,� replied Sauvage. They shook hands, trembling from head to foot with a dread beyond their mastery. The officer cried: “Fire!� The twelve shots were as one. Monsieur Sauvage fell forward instantaneously. Morissot, being the taller, swayed slightly and fell across his friend with face turned skyward and blood oozing from a rent in the breast of his coat."
"A few streaks of blood flecked the surface of the river. The officer, calm throughout, remarked, with grim humor: “It’s the fishes� turn now!�
"A white-aproned soldier responded to the summons, and the Prussian, tossing him the catch of the two murdered men, said: “Have these fish fried for me at once, while they are still alive; they’ll make a tasty dish.� Then he resumed his pipe."
Story in short- Monsieur Morissot and Monsieur Sauvage decide to go fishing though hunger and enemies surrounded them.
I did not read this edition but from a Delphi collection of his works.
"Besieged Paris was in the throes of famine. Even the sparrows on the roofs and the rats in the sewers were growing scarce. People were eating anything they could get. As Monsieur Morissot, watchmaker by profession and idler for the nonce, was strolling along the boulevard one bright January morning, his hands in his trousers pockets and stomach empty, he suddenly came face to face with an acquaintance Monsieur Sauvage, a fishing chum."
"Some days they did not speak; at other times they chatted; but they understood each other perfectly without the aid of words, having similar tastes and feelings."
"Monsieur Sauvage, pointing to the heights, murmured: “The Prussians are up yonder!� And the sight of the deserted country filled the two friends with vague misgivings. The Prussians! They had never seen them as yet, but they had felt their presence in the neighborhood of Paris for months past � ruining France, pillaging, massacring, starving them. And a kind of superstitious terror mingled with the hatred they already felt toward this unknown, victorious nation."
"And they made their way through one of the vineyards, bent double, creeping along beneath the cover afforded by the vines, with eye and ear alert. A strip of bare ground remained to be crossed before they could gain the river bank. They ran across this, and, as soon as they were at the water’s edge, concealed themselves among the dry reeds."
"They slipped their catch gently into a close-meshed bag lying at their feet; they were filled with joy � the joy of once more indulging in a pastime of which they had long been deprived. The sun poured its rays on their backs; they no longer heard anything or thought of anything. They ignored the rest of the world; they were fishing."
“They are at it again!� he said. Morissot, who was anxiously watching his float bobbing up and down, was suddenly seized with the angry impatience of a peaceful man toward the madmen who were firing thus, and remarked indignantly: “What fools they are to kill one another like that!�
"And Morissot, who had just caught a bleak, declared: “And to think that it will be just the same so long as there are governments!� “The Republic would not have declared war,� interposed Monsieur Sauvage. Morissot interrupted him: “Under a king we have foreign wars; under a republic we have civil war.�
"And the two began placidly discussing political problems with the sound common sense of peaceful, matter-of- fact citizens � agreeing on one point: that they would never be free. And Mont-Valerien thundered ceaselessly, demolishing the houses of the French with its cannon balls, grinding lives of men to powder, destroying many a dream, many a cherished hope, many a prospective happiness; ruthlessly causing endless woe and suffering in the hearts of wives, of daughters, of mothers, in other lands."
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
The two friends who have a brief moment of the past comfort while fishing until they are caught by a Prussian officer who seems friendly at first turns into a evil enemy. When the men refuse to give information that would harm their countrymen, they are executed. The officer could have kept them prisoner or left them go since they were not armed and just fishing. The cruelty and evilness of the officer's remarks. The friends taken aside were not untrue to each other and saw their fate. A story not easily forgotten!
“You must know that, in my eyes, you are two spies sent to reconnoitre me and my movements. Naturally, I capture you and I shoot you. You pretended to be fishing, the better to disguise your real errand."
"You have fallen into my hands, and must take the consequences. Such is war. “But as you came here through the outposts you must have a password for your return. Tell me that password and I will let you go.� The two friends, pale as death, stood silently side by side, a slight fluttering of the hands alone betraying their emotion. “No one will ever know,� continued the officer. “You will return peacefully to your homes, and the secret will disappear with you. If
you refuse, it means death-instant death. Choose!� They stood motionless, and did not open their lips."
“Quick! the password! Your friend will know nothing. I will pretend to relent.� Morissot answered not a word."
"Then the Prussian took Monsieur Sauvage aside in like manner, and made him the same proposal. Monsieur Sauvage made no reply. Again they stood side by side. The officer issued his orders; the soldiers raised their rifles. Then by chance Morissot’s eyes fell on the bag full of gudgeon lying in the grass a few feet from him. A ray of sunlight made the still quivering fish glisten like silver. And Morissot’s heart sank. Despite his efforts at self-control his eyes filled with tears."
“Good-by, Monsieur Sauvage,� he faltered. “Good-by, Monsieur Morissot,� replied Sauvage. They shook hands, trembling from head to foot with a dread beyond their mastery. The officer cried: “Fire!� The twelve shots were as one. Monsieur Sauvage fell forward instantaneously. Morissot, being the taller, swayed slightly and fell across his friend with face turned skyward and blood oozing from a rent in the breast of his coat."
"A few streaks of blood flecked the surface of the river. The officer, calm throughout, remarked, with grim humor: “It’s the fishes� turn now!�
"A white-aproned soldier responded to the summons, and the Prussian, tossing him the catch of the two murdered men, said: “Have these fish fried for me at once, while they are still alive; they’ll make a tasty dish.� Then he resumed his pipe."
October 16, 2018
كتاب جيد كفاصل بين الكتب المعقدة وهو عبارة عن مجموعة قصصية مختلفة تماما بعضها أنهيتها بسرعة من جمالها و بعضها الآخر تكاسلت في قرائتها بالإضافة لوجود بعض الأخطاء البسيطة في الترجمة انصح به للمبتدئين
May 7, 2021
مجموعة قصص قصيرة تحمل عبراً ودروساً لمن اراد ان يجدها. او هي للتسلية لمن لا يهتم. اكثر القصص التي اعجبتني، غير الحلية فهي منشورة في كتاب اخر هي العنوان، الحبل او قطعة الحبل كيف للإنسان أن يسعى لتبرئة اسمه وسمعته فلا ينجح بل تلتصق التهمة به اكثر فيلفظ انفاسه وهو يحاول أن يبرئ نفسه دون جدوى.
وكذلك قصة صانعة الكراسي الفقيرة التي أحبت من هو غير أهل للمحبة. فهي فقيرة وهو غني ولا تناسبه بل ونسيها. فتوصي بما تملك لمحبوبها الصيدلي. يذهب من اوكل له ان ينفذ وصيتها للصيدلي فيخبره انها كانت تحبه. فيثور ويرعد ويزمجر كيف لحقيرة مثلها ان تحبه وكذلك كان ردة فعله زوجه. فما كان من الموكل بتنفيذ الوصية الا ان يخبره انه بكلامه هذا يفهم انه لا يرغب باخذ المال الذي اوصت له به. فتتغير نبرة صوته هو وزوجته ويقبل المال لا بل ويذهب ليأخذ عربة صانعة الكراسي ليزيد ثروته واملاكه رغم انه يدعي انه سيصرفها على اطفاله.
وهناك قصة العم جول الذي يسرق مالا من اخيه ليسافر الى امريكيا. ومن هناك يبعث اليهم يعتذر ويعدهم بمستقبل وثروة سيحصلون عليها منه. ويبدأون باحلامهم وخططهم ومسامحتهم لعمله الشائن. وذات يوم وهم في رحلة يصادفون على ظهر السفينة بائع محار فيشترون منه ويكون معهم خطيبة ابنتهم فيشك الاب ان هذا البائع هو اخوه جول فيحدث بذلك زوجته فتسخر منه لكنها تذهب لتتاكد فترى الشبه فتطلب من زوجها ان يتحدث مع القبطان ويستعلم عنه دون ان يثير الشكوك. وفعلا يخبره القبطان انه جاء به من امريكيا بعد ان تغيرت احواله من الغنى للفقر. فما كان من العائلة الا ان تتسلل هاربة من السفينة فلا تريد ان يعرف احد بالعلاقة مع العم جول.
بالمجمل القصص اسلوب رائع
وكذلك قصة صانعة الكراسي الفقيرة التي أحبت من هو غير أهل للمحبة. فهي فقيرة وهو غني ولا تناسبه بل ونسيها. فتوصي بما تملك لمحبوبها الصيدلي. يذهب من اوكل له ان ينفذ وصيتها للصيدلي فيخبره انها كانت تحبه. فيثور ويرعد ويزمجر كيف لحقيرة مثلها ان تحبه وكذلك كان ردة فعله زوجه. فما كان من الموكل بتنفيذ الوصية الا ان يخبره انه بكلامه هذا يفهم انه لا يرغب باخذ المال الذي اوصت له به. فتتغير نبرة صوته هو وزوجته ويقبل المال لا بل ويذهب ليأخذ عربة صانعة الكراسي ليزيد ثروته واملاكه رغم انه يدعي انه سيصرفها على اطفاله.
وهناك قصة العم جول الذي يسرق مالا من اخيه ليسافر الى امريكيا. ومن هناك يبعث اليهم يعتذر ويعدهم بمستقبل وثروة سيحصلون عليها منه. ويبدأون باحلامهم وخططهم ومسامحتهم لعمله الشائن. وذات يوم وهم في رحلة يصادفون على ظهر السفينة بائع محار فيشترون منه ويكون معهم خطيبة ابنتهم فيشك الاب ان هذا البائع هو اخوه جول فيحدث بذلك زوجته فتسخر منه لكنها تذهب لتتاكد فترى الشبه فتطلب من زوجها ان يتحدث مع القبطان ويستعلم عنه دون ان يثير الشكوك. وفعلا يخبره القبطان انه جاء به من امريكيا بعد ان تغيرت احواله من الغنى للفقر. فما كان من العائلة الا ان تتسلل هاربة من السفينة فلا تريد ان يعرف احد بالعلاقة مع العم جول.
بالمجمل القصص اسلوب رائع
April 26, 2020
نبذة عن الكتاب: الكتاب يحوي 15 قصة قصيرة..كل ثلاث قصص تدور أحداثها بفكرة معينة..كالحرب والحب..
💙 رأيي الشخصي: تدور أحداث أول ثلاث قصص بفترة الحرب العالمية..تنتقل القصص بين معاناة الشعب الفرنسي من محاولة استعمار الألمان لهم..وكذلك معاناة بعض الجنود الألمان من تلك الحرب.. أحببت الحيادية في طرح مشاكل الحرب بين الشعوب رغم أن الكاتب فرنسي الأصل.. هنا يوضح الكاتب للقراء موضوع بغاية الأهمية وهي ان كلا الطرفين خاسرون بالحروب..المعتدي والمعتدى عليه..لا يوجد رابح بأي حرب تقام..الجميع يعاني..
بقية القصص تختلف مواضيعها ليجد القاري نفسه يبحث عن الحكم بين سطور القصص..
أعجبني بساطة طرح المواضيع بما يتناسب مع القراء الصغار..
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كتاب جميل لليافعات
💙 رأيي الشخصي: تدور أحداث أول ثلاث قصص بفترة الحرب العالمية..تنتقل القصص بين معاناة الشعب الفرنسي من محاولة استعمار الألمان لهم..وكذلك معاناة بعض الجنود الألمان من تلك الحرب.. أحببت الحيادية في طرح مشاكل الحرب بين الشعوب رغم أن الكاتب فرنسي الأصل.. هنا يوضح الكاتب للقراء موضوع بغاية الأهمية وهي ان كلا الطرفين خاسرون بالحروب..المعتدي والمعتدى عليه..لا يوجد رابح بأي حرب تقام..الجميع يعاني..
بقية القصص تختلف مواضيعها ليجد القاري نفسه يبحث عن الحكم بين سطور القصص..
أعجبني بساطة طرح المواضيع بما يتناسب مع القراء الصغار..
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كتاب جميل لليافعات
December 13, 2017
غي دي موباسان يعد من رواد القصة القصيرة في العالم
وعلى الاخص القصة الواقعية التي تؤرخ لحياة البشر وعلاقاتهم ببعض
تلك القصص المترجمة من المفترض أنها موجهة للناشئين والكبار معا لأن اسلوبها السردي سهل ومباشر كما أنها تخلو من المشاهد الاباحية
ولكنها رغم ذلك قصص محزنة جدا ومأساوية تتحدث عن عبثية الحرب
وجنون الحب والفقر والطبقية والحنين إلى الماضي
سرد القصة يبدو بدائيا جدا بالنسبة للقارىء الحديث حيث تجد احد شخصيات القصة يروي للآخرين قصة سمعها أو عاشها بنفسه
ثم تبدأ وتتسارع احداثها حتى النهاية الحزينة المؤثرة
ثم تتضح حكمتها في ذهن القارىء
وعلى الاخص القصة الواقعية التي تؤرخ لحياة البشر وعلاقاتهم ببعض
تلك القصص المترجمة من المفترض أنها موجهة للناشئين والكبار معا لأن اسلوبها السردي سهل ومباشر كما أنها تخلو من المشاهد الاباحية
ولكنها رغم ذلك قصص محزنة جدا ومأساوية تتحدث عن عبثية الحرب
وجنون الحب والفقر والطبقية والحنين إلى الماضي
سرد القصة يبدو بدائيا جدا بالنسبة للقارىء الحديث حيث تجد احد شخصيات القصة يروي للآخرين قصة سمعها أو عاشها بنفسه
ثم تبدأ وتتسارع احداثها حتى النهاية الحزينة المؤثرة
ثم تتضح حكمتها في ذهن القارىء
April 22, 2019
Some days they did not speak; at other times they chatted; but they understood each other perfectly without the aid of words, having similar tastes and feelings.
Two Friends by Guy de Maupassant tells the tragic story of two ordinary Parisians in the midst of Franco-Prussian War. I liked the obvious patriotic and antiwar message of the novella, though I think it sadly lacks character development.
July 27, 2022
I got very drawn into the beautiful memories shared by the characters in the beginning of this short story. They reminisced beautifully about days spent with a good friend, the kind of friend we all wish to have and good times unspoiled by the stain of war. I started having misgivings by the time they entered the second restaurant, knew nothing good could come out of it. The ending still shocked me and I'm strangely proud but also sad at the fate of our two good friends.
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