Nicole Krauss: "Sekali waktu Anda adalah seekor ikan. Bagaimana Anda t...

"Sekali waktu Anda adalah seekor ikan. Bagaimana Anda tahu? Karena saya juga ikan. Kamu juga? Tentu. Dahulu kala. Bagaimanapun, sebagai ikan, Anda tahu cara berenang. Anda seorang perenang hebat. Perenang juara, Anda. Anda menyukai air. Mengapa? Apa maksudmu mengapa? Mengapa saya suka air? Karena itu adalah hidupmu! Dan ketika kami berbicara, saya akan membiarkan dia pergi satu jari pada satu waktu, sampai, tanpa disadari, dia akan mengambang tanpa saya. Mungkin itulah artinya menjadi ayah — mengajar anak Anda hidup tanpa Anda."

--- Nicole Krauss

Versi Bahasa Inggris

Once upon a time you were a fish. How do you know? Because I was also a fish. You, too? Sure. A long time ago. Anyway, being a fish, you knew how to swim. You were a great swimmer. A champion swimmer, you were. You loved the water. Why? What do you mean, why? Why did I love the water? Because it was your life! And as we talked, I would have let him go one finger at a time, until, without his realizing, he'd be floating without me. Perhaps that is what it means to be a father-to teach your child to live without you.