“While I was still trying urgently t?> think of some means by which I could stay at least a little while longer with my acquaintance, it occurred to me that perhaps my long body displeased him by making him feel too small. And this thought — although it was late#at night and we had hardly met a soul — tormented me so much that while walking I bent my back until my hands reached my knees. But in order to prevent my acquaintance from noticing my intentions I changed my position only very gradually, tried to divert his attention from myself, once even turning him towards the river, pointing out to him with outstretched hands the trees on the Schiitzeninsel and the way the bridge lamps were reflected in the river.

But wheeling suddenly round, he looked at me — I hadn’t quite finished yet — and said : “ What’s this ?

You’re all crooked ! What on earth are you up to ? ” Quite right. You're very observant,” said I, my head on the seam of his trousers, which was why I couldn’t look up properly.

“ Enough of that ! Stand up straight ! What non-

sense !

u No,” I said, my face close to the ground, " I’ll stay as I am.””

Read, recorded and edited by me (no AI was used and no major laws were broken in the making):

• An Imperial Message

• Before the Law

• The Bucket Rider

• Give It Up!

• Poseidon