journal features

The Boy says...

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Tokyo, 2010.01.16

Tonight in the bath I asked The Boy, "Who is papa?" He looked at me, pointed and said, "you". It was the first time he'd said "you" as far as we know. It's also the first time he's answered a question like that.

Then I asked, "Who's the boy?" He smiled, and pointed to himself.

Then I asked, "Who's your mother?" He looked at the door, then pointed.

Good lad! Doesn't speak much English but he sure understands.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov