The bell rang, announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. The children rushed toward the gate, which was opened again. I said goodbye to friends and sweethearts and passed through the gate. I looked around but found no trace of my father, who had promised to be there. I stepped aside to wait. When I had waited for a long time in vain, I decided to return home on my own. I walked a few steps, then came to a startled halt. Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? Where had it disappeared to? When did all these cars invade it? And when did all these people come to rest on its surface? How did these hills of rubbish find their way to cover its sides?

鈴聲再次響起,宣告了一日的完結和辛勞的尾聲。孩子們向再次敞開的大門涌去。我對朋友和心愛的可人們道了再會,走了出去。四下張望卻不見保證出現的父親的身影,我走到一邊等著。一段漫長而徒勞的等待過后,我決定自己回家。我前行幾步,卻驚恐的停下了。天啊!我那回家的路呢，那條花園之中的小路呢？消失去了何方？這兒何時已被這些車輛擠滿？人們又何時開始走在了汽車的兩旁？成山的廢品如何遍布了路面？漫無邊際的田地哪去了？高樓接管了一切,街道滿是兒童,驚擾的噪音震顫著上空。處處是展示小把戲和令蛇從籃子里探出的小丑與術士們,樂隊宣布著馬戲團的開演,那兒有密集的人群跟著前面的舉重者。

And where were the fields that bordered it? High buildings had taken over, the street was full of children, and disturbing noises shook the air. Here and there stood conjurers showing off their tricks or making snakes appear from baskets. Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, with clowns and weight lifters walking in front.
Good God! I was in a daze. My head spun. I almost went crazy. How could all this have happened in half a day, between early morning and sunset? I would find the answer at home with my father. But where was my home? I hurried towards the crossroads, because I remembered that I had to cross the street to reach our house, but the stream of cars would not let up. Extremely irritated, I wondered when I would be able to cross.

真主!我只覺得一片茫然,開始眩暈,近乎癲狂。一切的一切如何能在清晨到日落這半日內發生？我要回家在父親那里得到答案。但家在哪里？我朝十字路口趕去,因為還記得須穿過這條街回去,然而車流卻不肯停下。我心煩意亂的想知道何時才能通過。

I stood there a long time, until the young boy employed at the ironing shop on the corner came up to me.

He stretched out his arm and said, "Grandpa, let me take you across."

在那兒默立了許久,直到一個受雇于街角的鐵鋪的年輕人向我走過來。

他向我伸出臂膀：“老爺爺,我領你過去吧。”