One From the ‘Little Football Team’

Abstract

‘In the photograph our team “All Stars” looks like an illustration of the growth of humanity from the times of Malthus up to our days. We are standing on a wooden platform over the sea, holding each other by the hand—the whole team, from the smallest to the biggest. The first is Maksym, the second Bondi, the third Iurek, the fourth Slavko, the fifth Ilko, the sixth Lionia, the seventh Lionia’s father, who somehow wormed his way into our company, and the eight is me (180 centimetres, 95 kilos). We are holding tight onto each other’s hands, as is we are a living chain of generations and, it seems, no power will be able to tear us apart and separate us. The first one standing there is Maksym, and I am amazed why in the photograph he has no angel’s wings. With my own eyes I could see those white wings edged with gold, hanging on the wall in his home; perhaps his father, afraid he might get entangled in wires—there were so many in the town—prohibited Massym from using them. And perhaps there was some reason unknown to me. In any case, concerning Maksym’s angelic origin I have no doubts at all. His thin body and fine neck are crowned by a large, high-browed head, with his hair trimmed under a flowerpot. In his face two great grey eyes shine, always shining, with benevolence for everything which surrounds him.’