s and sweethearts and passed through the gate. I peered 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 without avail， I decided to return home on my own. After I had taken a few steps， a middle-aged man passed by， and I realized at once that I knew him. He came toward me， smiling， and shook st met— how are you?“

With a nod of my head， I agreed with him and in turn asked，“And you， how are you?““As you can see， not all that good， the Almighty be praised!“

Again he shook me by the hand and went off. I proceeded 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 vehicles invade it? And when did all these hordes of humanity e to rest upon its surface? How did these hills of refuse e to cover its sides? And where were the fields that bordered it? High buildings had taken over， the street surged with children， and disturbing noises shook the air. At various points stood conjurers showing off their tricks and making snakes appear from baskets. Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus， with clowns and weight lifters walking in front. A line of trucks carrying central security troops crawled majestically by. The siren of a fire engine shrieked， and it was not clear how the vehicle would cleave its way to reach the blazing fire. A battle raged between a 'taxi driver and his passenger， w