"Happiness is a train without a schedule: one comes by every now and then. You cannot predict its arrival, nor know when it will depart. Your task is to go to the station."
Beatrice of Bohemia?? It appears she gave birth to a son in 1255. 🤔
So mysterious. The sensory elements of the water and breeze, the voice and the white dress…the way they appear but can’t be real, this is such a great concept. I enjoy the way you are playing with me work and the senses, as well as the words of others. Another wonderful read, Silvio!
Thank you for this precious comment, Kate! Beatrice of Bohemia, wow. I honestly didn't make the connection (to be even more honest, I don't even know about a Beatrice of Bohemia). It was all made up for the autofiction portion of the piece, including the year. Is this for real? Did she really give birth in 1255? If so, this is amazing! I'm so glad the sensory part resonated with you! Thank you so much!
Oh wow, that is strange! I googled it because at first I thought something related to Dante I had missed. Some “short” ruler was born to her in that year. It was all news to me as well :)
I absolutely agree with Rick Lewis - what a wonderful statement! Is this a quote? or did it come straight from the mind of Silvio Castelletti?
“Happiness is a train without a schedule: one comes by every now and then. You cannot predict its arrival, nor know when it will depart. Your task is to go to the station.” — love it, and the thought-provoking story!
Thank you, Rose! This is an idea I heard from an Italian philosopher, which I readapted and gave a little twist to. I agree it is a wonderful idea, though not entirely mine. :)
We best make sure to be at the station and board that train when it comes! Wonderful way to end this little magic gem of a story.
I esp. loved this part: "My concierge, however, has been in service for only a few years and learned these facts from the barber next door, who’s been there forever, he will specify. Why am I asking, he will then inquire. Just curious, I will respond."
The shift to future tense and the matter-of-fact delivery put a smile on my face. Just wonderful!
Thank you, Alexander! Yes, being at the station is already an important step. It reminds me of a quote that I read a while ago, saying (I'm going by heart here) "Don't try to predict a flood. Instead, build an ark." I forget by whom.
Can't control everything, in fact, can control very little, focus on what you can control. Yes, indeed. I have not heard that quote before but it sounds about right!
Looking forward to catching up with your latest pieces soon.
This is just lovely, Silvio. The piece culminating in these words is magical, as though everything led to that moment and then flowed backwards to allow it to sit perfectly as a whole for the reader.
Thank you so much, Nathan! Yes, the forward and backward movement was indeed intentional, but I wasn't sure it would come through. I'm glad it did for you! As mentioned in other comments, that line is my adaptation of an idea I heard from an Italian philosopher. The 'going to the station' part is indeed brilliant. I'm happy to see it resonated with you!
"Happiness is a train without a schedule: one comes by every now and then. You cannot predict its arrival, nor know when it will depart. Your task is to go to the station."
Wow Silvio.
Thank you, Rick! It is indeed a beautiful line. I adapted it from an idea by an Italian philosopher and gave it a little spin. Glad you liked it.
Absolute favourite line. Distilled brilliance right here.
Too kind, Nathan! Not entirely mine, though. I loved the Italian version and adapted it a little. And thought it would be perfect in the context. :)
Beatrice of Bohemia?? It appears she gave birth to a son in 1255. 🤔
So mysterious. The sensory elements of the water and breeze, the voice and the white dress…the way they appear but can’t be real, this is such a great concept. I enjoy the way you are playing with me work and the senses, as well as the words of others. Another wonderful read, Silvio!
Thank you for this precious comment, Kate! Beatrice of Bohemia, wow. I honestly didn't make the connection (to be even more honest, I don't even know about a Beatrice of Bohemia). It was all made up for the autofiction portion of the piece, including the year. Is this for real? Did she really give birth in 1255? If so, this is amazing! I'm so glad the sensory part resonated with you! Thank you so much!
Oh wow, that is strange! I googled it because at first I thought something related to Dante I had missed. Some “short” ruler was born to her in that year. It was all news to me as well :)
You never know what your subconscious recalls!
In any case, a delightful mystery…
Have a lovely weekend, Silvio!
So strange, indeed! So glad you can make these connections and share them here with me. And you too have a great weekend, Kate.
I absolutely agree with Rick Lewis - what a wonderful statement! Is this a quote? or did it come straight from the mind of Silvio Castelletti?
“Happiness is a train without a schedule: one comes by every now and then. You cannot predict its arrival, nor know when it will depart. Your task is to go to the station.” — love it, and the thought-provoking story!
Thank you, Rose! This is an idea I heard from an Italian philosopher, which I readapted and gave a little twist to. I agree it is a wonderful idea, though not entirely mine. :)
We best make sure to be at the station and board that train when it comes! Wonderful way to end this little magic gem of a story.
I esp. loved this part: "My concierge, however, has been in service for only a few years and learned these facts from the barber next door, who’s been there forever, he will specify. Why am I asking, he will then inquire. Just curious, I will respond."
The shift to future tense and the matter-of-fact delivery put a smile on my face. Just wonderful!
Thank you, Alexander! Yes, being at the station is already an important step. It reminds me of a quote that I read a while ago, saying (I'm going by heart here) "Don't try to predict a flood. Instead, build an ark." I forget by whom.
Can't control everything, in fact, can control very little, focus on what you can control. Yes, indeed. I have not heard that quote before but it sounds about right!
Looking forward to catching up with your latest pieces soon.
Same here! I’m hopelessly behind.
"Your task is to go to the station."
This is just lovely, Silvio. The piece culminating in these words is magical, as though everything led to that moment and then flowed backwards to allow it to sit perfectly as a whole for the reader.
Thank you so much, Nathan! Yes, the forward and backward movement was indeed intentional, but I wasn't sure it would come through. I'm glad it did for you! As mentioned in other comments, that line is my adaptation of an idea I heard from an Italian philosopher. The 'going to the station' part is indeed brilliant. I'm happy to see it resonated with you!
Your adaptation was placed perfectly. (Kate Waller would be pleased, I’m sure, given the recent discussion on adaptation in fiction ;))
Thank you again for another wonderful piece.
Oh, I guess I missed that one. I'll have to remedy soon then and check it out. Thank YOU again, Nathan!
Your liminal discoveries are enchanting!
Thank you so much, Kimberly! Glad you liked it.
Delicious indeterminacy.
Thank you, Caroline!
oooooh! Nice one! Will we get to see what happens when you choose to board a train?
Thank you, Karena! Not necessarily, my dear. Not necessarily. :)
Thank you, Jean, for reading and commenting. Who knows, maybe she is. :)