An item i have kept for a long time, t’was painstakingly translated by somebody from its original version. I can recall after so many years how we discussed it. . I only hope the translation gives justice to the message of the author.. However, i can’t remember anymore the exact title . . but some things though are most remembered not through the title…this is one of those…it’s Victor Hugo’s. .
First of all, how I wish you love
and while loving, also be loved
and then, if it’s not like this,
be brief in forgetting
And after you’ve forgotten,
don’t keep anything.
I wish then that it wasn’t like this
but if it is,
you could be a person
without desperation.
I wish also that you have friends
Even bad and inconsequence ones,
They should be strong
and loyal to you.
and at least you have one
in whom you could trust
without doubting.
I wish you have enemies.
Not many or not too little
Just in the right number.
so that you will have to question
Your own certainties,
and truths as well.
I wish you were useful
But not irreplaceable
And in your bad moments,
When you don’t have anything else
This usefulness is enough
To keep you standing.
So equally,
I wish you to be tolerant
Not with those that make little mistakes
Because that is easy,
But with those that make a lot of mistakes
For this will be of no remedy.
And make good use of this tolerance,
To set example for others.
I wish that being young,
You don’t mature too quickly
And once you’re mature,
Don’t insist in getting younger.
And when you’re old,
Don’t make despair
Because each age
Has its pain and pleasure.
And these are necessary
To have them influence amongst us.
By the way
I wish that you were sad
At least once a day
And in this day, I want you to discover
That to love everyday is good,
To laugh often is boring
And to laugh constantly is an illness.
I wish that you discover
With a maximum urgency
That above and inspite of everything,
There are people around you
Who are depressed,
Unhappy and are treated unjustly.
I wish that you caress a cat,
You feed a bird
And listen to its chirp as well,
As it sings triumphantly
Its early morning song.
Because in this way,
You will feel good for nothing.
And then I wish you
sowing a seed
Even if it is very little.
And you have to accompany it
In its growth.
So you will discover
How many lives a tree is made of.
I wish as well that you have money
Because it is needed to be practical.
And at least once a year,
Put some of these money infront of you
And say “This is mine only”:
So it is very clear
Who owns who.
Also,
I wish the demise
of any of your love ones,
And if some of them die,
You could cry without lament
And without feeling guilty.
Finally,
I wish for you that being a man,
You had a good woman
And being a woman,
To have a good man.
Tomorrow and the day after.
And once they are exhaust,
They smile and speak about love
To start again.
If all these things would happen to you,
Then,
I don’t have any other wish for you
Anymore.
