Goethe's Collected Works - Bedtime Stories for Middle School Students [IV]

Author: (German) Goethe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: I have finally gone, and I feel truly happy! My dear friend, how difficult the human heart is to fathom! I loved you so much, once inseparable from you, and now that I have left you, I am actually happy! I know you will forgive me. Fate has deliberately involved me in some emotional entanglements, wasn’t it precisely to disturb a mind like mine? Poor Leonore! But this is not my fault. Her sister’s unique charm made me joyful and intoxicated, yet her poor heart was filled with love for me—can I be blamed for that? Yet, am I entirely blameless? Have I not nurtured her feelings? The sincere, heartfelt truth she expressed was not originally laughable, yet we often laughed at it, and I myself have often done the same—have I not? Ah, humans, what is the use of constant self-blame! My dear friend, I assure you, I must, I must change. I will no longer dwell on the minor misfortunes that fate has brought us; I will live fully in the present, leaving the past behind. Your words are wise, my dear friend. If one does not cling so stubbornly to the painful memories of the past—only God knows why people do so!—and instead focuses more on how to calmly face the present situation, one will surely suffer less. Please take care to tell my mother that I will do my utmost to handle the matters she has entrusted to me and will report back to her as soon as possible. I have already spoken with my aunt, and I found her far from the wicked old woman we depicted at home. She is energetic, quick-witted, and kind-hearted. I told her about the grievances my mother has harbored over the inheritance that has been withheld from her; my aunt explained her reasons and the conditions under which she is willing to give up the entire inheritance—more than what we had demanded—briefly, I will not discuss this matter further now. Please tell my mother that everything will be settled. My dear friend, in this small matter, I have once again discovered that misunderstandings and negligence in the world may be more damaging than cunning and malice. At least cunning and malice are certainly not common. Moreover, I feel quite content here. In this paradise-like place, loneliness is a precious medicine for my soul, and the vibrant spring light of this season warms my often trembling heart. Every tree, every hedge is in full bloom. I truly wish I could transform into a scarab beetle and roam through the fragrant sea, absorbing all the essential nourishment. The city itself is not appealing, but the surrounding natural scenery is indescribably beautiful. The small mountains are varied and crisscrossed, forming picturesque valleys. The late Count von M was moved by them and built a garden on one of the hills. The garden is simple and unadorned. As soon as you step through the gate, you can sense that the design was not crafted by a professional gardener but by someone who wished to enjoy solitude here. The shaded pavilion, surrounded by shrubs, was the late owner’s favorite spot and has now become a place where I linger and drown in memories of the departed. Soon, I will become the owner of this garden; in just a few days, the gardener has already grown fond of me, and I will naturally treat him well in the future.