A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE LAKE

From "Stories From America" by Mihkail Fomin

When I came in, I saw that Miss Jefferson had opened the window and the room was full of fresh air. The surface of the lake was glittering under the red rays of the sun, getting down to the western horizon. There was a vase of flowers on the table.

"You are leaving for New York tomorrow morning. I have your air-tickets ready. Now, let’s sit down for a while," Miss Jefferson’s voice sounded cheerful and joyful.

"Well, could you say anything about our city and lake before your departure?"

"In comparison with New York it’s so quiet, clean and very green. And

the name of the city sounds wonderful - Seattle! As for your lake, it reminds me of our lake in Yakutsk - "Saisary". But your lake looks much better - such a beautiful view!!!" I saw joy, satisfaction and pride in the eyes of Miss Jefferson.

"Thank you! We like our city and lake very much!"

Three years had passed… When I opened the window the fresh air rushed into the room. The door opened and Miss Jefferson entered the room with a charming smile.

The surface of lake Saisary was glittering under the red rays of the sun, getting down to the western horizon. There was a vase of flowers on the table.

"You are leaving for Alaska tomorrow morning", my voice sounded tired and sad.

"Well, could you say anything about our city and lake before your departure?" I asked her.

Miss Jefferson approached the window and stood for a while in silence. Then I heard her calm and nice voice:

"A Lake is a lake. No matter the view. It's always - it's always nice!"

There was something penetrating the human heart about the voice of a young lady, born and brought up far away over the ocean.

When I woke up, I saw that I was alone in my room.

I approached the window and stood for a while in silence.

There was a dust cloud hanging over Lake Saisary.

Translated by Zhenya Popova