White Apples: A Novella, Stories and Fables

Abstract

At the end of this paperback anthology of the work of Arno Karlen, there are twelve fables, pointed short (mostly one-page to four-page) stories. A nudnik in Vitebsk provides a miracle when he has a wise thought, namely that if God ever gave a chochma to a poor nudnik like me it would be an act of faith on His part (222). Mr. Magister rides an ostrich in stately fashion, as a mount worthy of his high office in the city. Particularly strong is The Mad Song of Dr. P (242). Doktor Professor P used the whip to tame a wild man. Then he realized that he could turn a profit with this man. The shortest of these stories may be the best: Mr. Plover (247). The title character proclaims that there are no more beasts, but the narrator has strange beasts. He keeps them in the corner when Mr. Plover comes. There is nothing that destroys friendship so completely as unnecessary contradiction. There is a water stain across most of the top of the book.