Foi, pois, assim que o explorador descobriu, toda em pé e a seus pés, a coisa humana menor que existe. Seu coração bateu porque esmeralda nenhuma é tão rara. Nem os ensinamentos dos sábios da Índia são tão raros. Nem o homem mais rico do mundo já pôs olhos sobre tanta estranha graça. Ali estava uma mulher que a gulodice do mais fino sonho jamais pudera imaginar. Foi então que o explorador disse, timidamente e com uma delicadeza de sentimentos de que sua esposa jamaiso julgaria capaz:
- Você é Pequena Flor.
Nesse instante Pequena Flor coçou-se onde uma pessoa não se coça. O explorador - como se estivesse recebendo o mais alto prêmio de castidade a que um homem, sempre tão idealista, ousa aspirar - o explorador, tão vivido, desviou os olhos. (194-195) |
This, then, was how the explorer discovered at his feet the smallest human creature that exists. His heart pounded, for surely no emerald is so rare. Not even the teachings of the Indian sages are so rare, and even the richest man in the world has not witnessed such strange charm. There, before his eyes, stood a woman such as the delights of the most exquisite dream had never equaled. It was then that the explorer timidly pronounced with a delicacy of feeling of which even his wife would never have believed him capable,
“You are Little Flower.” At that moment, Little Flower scratched herself where one never scratches oneself. The explorer - as if he were receiving the highest prize of chastity to which man, always so full of ideals, dare aspire - the explorer who has so much experience of life, turned away his eye. (90) |
It was, therefore, thus, that the explorer discovered, standing there at his feet, the smallest human thing in existence. His heart beat because no emerald is as rare. Neither are the teachings of the sages of India as rare. Neither has the richest man in the world ever laid eyes on so much strange grace. Right there was a woman the gluttony of the most exquisite dream could never have imagined. That was when the explorer declared, shyly and with a delicacy of feeling of which his wife would never have judged him capable:
“You are Little Flower.” At that moment Little Flower scratched herself where a person doesn’t scratch. The explorer - as if receiving the highest prize for chastity to which a man, who had always been so idealistic, dared aspire - the explorer, seasoned as he was, averted his eyes. (166-167) |
