Tales of memories
Translation from "souvenirs souvenirs"
1 – The train
- Hurry up mother ! shouted the little girl.
She took her mother's hand and walked quicker and quicker. This was a new road, with some small houses around. No traffic-jams here, hardly any circulation at all, only electric vehicles, a few of them. The sun was shining but its light was cold, unable to unfreeze the air.
This was the end of the season, but temperature was about zero degree in the middle of the afternoon.
- Summers become shorter and shorter. It's cold very early now, said the mother. Beware !
- Yes mother ! answered the girl, who was thinking to something else.
The little girl waited all the week for this unique hour, she forgot evething else. Her mother promised to go with her to see it. Everyone talked her about it all the time, she dreamed to see it by her own ways.
- We can only stay sometimes, said the mother. Your sister didn't wanted to come, and I don't like her to be alone.
- But, you promised mother ! cried the girl.
- Yes, I know. We're going, but we can't stay for a very long time. I am very busy, even on Sundays. I'm sorry.
The blue eyes of the mother were shining, showing a very great sweetness. But she forced herself to smile, to reassure her child. All the time she was thinking about the future, about all these great difficulties.
- We're almost there ! shouted the girl. She dropped her mother's hand.
She run and looked throw the old railings, her face touching the cold metal. At last, she was about to see it. She was so excited !
The train arrived, wisthling, as it wanted to be heard by the entire town. The machine, a modern replica of and old-time locomotive, released its gazes in all the ways. The steel wheels were shining, thanks to the oil.
The small station had only a few tracks and some old-way platforms. The main terminal was like the ancient Earth's houses, with some white and red bricks. The track goes further and further, on a ramp going to the sky.
The snow was almost melted away. Workers of the railway compagny heated up tracks and switches. Without this, all trains will be trapped soon, unable to run away.
The train stopped, and the car's doors opened. The coaches were some new copies of ancient Earth's models. The company choosed this to give some prestige to this famous express.
The ticket inspector left the train and shouted, with his particular voice :
- Lametal ! Lametal ! One day stop ! The galactic railway compagny thanks you to have choosed it for your trip. We hope to see you on our trains soon. Lametal ! Lametal !
Passengers left the train, one by one. But the little girl wasn't looking at them. She was attracted by the engine. The steel monster was asleep, waiting for the new start.
- Can we stay ? Can we look the departure ? asked the girl.
- No, I'm sorry. We must go home. The nightfall is very close, and it shall be very cold this evening.
- Please…
- No, I'm sorry, Maetel. We must go home.
Maetel left with regrets the station and its very interresting activity. She thought her mother was too busy these days. She talked all the time about the sun who was about to die, and all things she didn't understand as a young girl.
Back on way home, Maetel dares to ask the question :
- Mother ? What "to robotize" means ?
The mother was very surprised, and looked at her child with tenderness :
- This is a thing which will never happen to you. This is a promise, a promise from the Queen of Lametal.
The little girl accepted this easy explanation and was thinking about the train she saw a few moments before.
This Galaxy Express was fascinating !
