Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(136,071 posts)
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:04 PM Nov 2022

When he was 40, the renown Bohemian novelist and short story writer FRANZ KAFKA

(1883–1924), who never married and had no children, was strolling through Steglitz Park in Berlin, when he chanced upon a young girl crying her eyes out because she had lost her favorite doll. She and Kafka looked for the doll without success. Kafka told her to meet him there the next day and they would look again.

The next day, when they still had not found the doll, Kafka gave the girl a letter "written" by the doll that said, “Please do not cry. I have gone on a trip to see the world. I'm going to write to you about my adventures."

Thus began a story that continued to the end of Kafka’s life.

When they would meet, Kafka read aloud his carefully composed letters of adventures and conversations about the beloved doll, which the girl found enchanting. Finally, Kafka read her a letter of the story that brought the doll back to Berlin, and he then gave her a doll he had purchased. “This does not look at all my doll," she said. Kafka handed her another letter that explained, "My trips, they have changed me." The girl hugged the new doll and took it home with her. A year later, Kafka died.

Many years later, the now grown-up girl found a letter tucked into an unnoticed crevice in the doll. The tiny letter, signed by Kafka, said, “Everything you love is very likely to be lost, but in the end, love will return in a different way."

https://www.facebook.com/TheLoveRabbi

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When he was 40, the renown Bohemian novelist and short story writer FRANZ KAFKA (Original Post) elleng Nov 2022 OP
Great story to wind down on a Friday! rurallib Nov 2022 #1
Well, that set me back on my butt to think about. Biophilic Nov 2022 #2
What a great story. FalloutShelter Nov 2022 #3
Right, 'Kafka-esque' elleng Nov 2022 #5
I just love it. FalloutShelter Nov 2022 #6
What a beautiful story! SheltieLover Nov 2022 #4
Nice 3Hotdogs Nov 2022 #7
:) Solly Mack Nov 2022 #8
What a gorgeous, poignant story! Ty Ellen! Docreed2003 Nov 2022 #9
WOW!!!! Wonderful to know!! Karadeniz Nov 2022 #10

Biophilic

(4,740 posts)
2. Well, that set me back on my butt to think about.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:08 PM
Nov 2022

The story with Kafka and the young girl is lovely. But the note he left her is one of those that sort of sets you back on your ass to think about. Thanks.

FalloutShelter

(12,749 posts)
3. What a great story.
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:09 PM
Nov 2022

A real gift in every way… especially for those who may have considered Kafka to be something of a pessimist when it came to humanity.

LOVE THIS thanks so much for bringing it here.

elleng

(136,071 posts)
5. Right, 'Kafka-esque'
Fri Nov 11, 2022, 06:12 PM
Nov 2022

=characteristic or reminiscent of the oppressive or nightmarish qualities of Franz Kafka's fictional world.

yet he spends years comforting the girl>woman.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»When he was 40, the renow...