Extracts from Adam's Diary, translated from the original ms.Twain, Mark
History
Extracts from Adam's Diary, translated from the original ms.
Twain, Mark
Adam (Biblical figure) -- Fiction; Bible. Genesis -- History of Biblical events -- Fiction; Diary fiction; Humorous stories
[Illustration]
Extracts From Adam’s Diary
Translated from the original MS.
by Mark Twain
[NOTE.—I translated a portion of this diary some years ago, and a
friend of mine printed a few copies in an incomplete form, but the
public never got them. Since then I have deciphered some more of Adam’s
hieroglyphics, and think he has now become sufficiently important as a
public character to justify this publication.—M. T.]
Monday
This new creature with the long hair is a good deal in the way. It is
always hanging around and following me about. I don’t like this; I am
not used to company. I wish it would stay with the other animals.
Cloudy to-day, wind in the east; think we shall have rain…. Where did I
get that word?… I remember now—the new creature uses it.
Tuesday
Been examining the great waterfall. It is the finest thing on the
estate, I think. The new creature calls it Niagara Falls—why, I am sure
I do not know. Says it looks like Niagara Falls. That is not a reason;
it is mere waywardness and imbecility. I get no chance to name anything
myself. The new creature names everything that comes along, before I
can get in a protest. And always that same pretext is offered—it looks
like the thing. There is the dodo, for instance. Says the moment one
looks at it one sees at a glance that it “looks like a dodo.” It will
have to keep that name, no doubt. It wearies me to fret about it, and
it does no good, anyway. Dodo! It looks no more like a dodo than I do.
Wednesday
Built me a shelter against the rain, but could not have it to myself in
peace. The new creature intruded. When I tried to put it out it shed
water out of the holes it looks with, and wiped it away with the back
of its paws, and made a noise such as some of the other animals make
when they are in distress. I wish it would not talk; it is always
talking. That sounds like a cheap fling at the poor creature, a slur;
but I do not mean it so. I have never heard the human voice before, and
any new and strange sound intruding itself here upon the solemn hush of
these dreaming solitudes offends my ear and seems a false note. And
this new sound is so close to me; it is right at my shoulder, right at
my ear, first on one side and then on the other, and I am used only to
sounds that are more or less distant from me.
Friday
The naming goes recklessly on, in spite of anything I can do. I had a
very good name for the estate, and it was musical and pretty
—GARDEN-OF-EDEN. Privately, I continue to call it that, but not any
longer publicly. The new creature says it is all woods and rocks and
scenery, and therefore has no resemblance to a garden. Says it looks
like a park, and does not look like anything but a park. Consequently,
without consulting me, it has been new-named —NIAGARA FALLS PARK. This
is sufficiently high-handed, it seems to me. And already there is a
sign up:
KEEP OFF THE GRASS
My life is not as happy as it was.
Saturday
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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