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?

铃声再次响起,宣告了一日的完结和辛劳的尾声。孩子们向再次敞开的大门涌去。我对朋友和心爱的可人们道了再会,走了出去。四下张望却不见保证出现的父亲的身影,我走到一边等着。一段漫长而徒劳的等待过后,我决定自己回家。我前行几步,却惊恐的停下了。天啊!我那回家的路呢，那条花园之中的小路呢？消失去了何方？这儿何时已被这些车辆挤满？人们又何时开始走在了汽车的两旁？成山的废品如何遍布了路面？漫无边际的田地哪去了？高楼接管了一切,街道满是儿童,惊扰的噪音震颤着上空。处处是展示小把戏和令蛇从篮子里探出的小丑与术士们,乐队宣布着马戏团的开演,那儿有密集的人群跟着前面的举重者。

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!我只觉得一片茫然,开始眩晕,近乎癫狂。一切的一切如何能在清晨到日落这半日内发生？我要回家在父亲那里得到答案。但家在哪里？我朝十字路口赶去,因为还记得须穿过这条街回去,然而车流却不肯停下。我心烦意乱的想知道何时才能通过。

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."

在那儿默立了许久,直到一个受雇于街角的铁铺的年轻人向我走过来。

他向我伸出臂膀：“老爷爷,我领你过去吧。”