ONCE I was walking lost in thought down the elegant main street. Many others were strolling along as well. The sun shone pleasantly. The trees were green, the sky blue. I cannot recall exactly if it was Sunday. I only remember that around me was something sweet and gentle. But something even nicer was about to occur, namely, that from a light uncertain sky a snow-white cloud descended onto the road. The cloud resembled a large and graceful swan, and on its soft, white, downy back sat—in a reclining pose, one arm carelessly outstretched, filled with a gracious, childish majesty—a naked woman. Thus had I always imagined Greek goddesses. She smiled, and all the people who saw her, enraptured by her graceful, sacred beauty, were compelled to smile as well. O how her hair glowed in the sun! She looked upon the world with her large blue kind eyes, gracing us, so to speak, with her brief exalted visit. The cloud soared up like an airship, and after a short while the glorious sight vanished to me and all the others. The people went into the nearest café and recounted the miraculous event. Still the sun shone pleasantly, even without a goddess.
(1914)