"The Mill Letters" (France) Alphonse Daudet

"The Mill Letters" (France) Alphonse Daudet

This is a collection of epistolary short stories, but the author did not clearly identify the recipient. These letters were sent from an abandoned mill in Provence, describing the people, customs, legends and anecdotes of Provence. The whole book is filled with rich poetic and artistic feeling, and you can feel the author's yearning for natural life.

"First Entering the Mill"

It writes about the scenery seen in the mill when he first arrived in the countryside. A quiet, leisurely and unrestrained state of being is in sharp contrast to the "noisy and dim" Paris, so the author said: "You can trade all the plays performed in Paris this week with me, and I won't trade them with you."

"Poker's Stagecoach"

The author recalls what happened when he took the stagecoach to the mill. It describes the leisurely life of the millers, and even the horse-drawn carriage "walked leisurely along the road until the evening." The descriptions of the five people in the car are each unique. The baker was telling the story of the knife grinder and his beautiful wife who was often away with other people. His story may have angered the sharpener.

"Master Gorny's Secret"

Recall the former glory of the mill through the story-telling method of an old man. The development of modern industry has had a devastating impact on the traditional mills that rely on wind power to grind flour. But Old Man Gorni naturally insisted on "grinding flour" every day, and finally everyone found out that he had been grinding lime. All the people in the village gave their wheat to the old man to grind. Later, the old man passed away and the mill stopped grinding flour.

After reading this, a kind of nameless sadness arose in my heart, the sadness of holding on to his dream for the old man. No one can resist the general trend.

"Monsieur Seguin's Goat"

By telling the story of Mr. Seguin's goats, they would rather run out of the sheepfold at the risk of being eaten by wolves in order to find freedom. . Then he told his friends that the Gringoires also had to pay a heavy price to gain freedom.

Everyone always has their own pursuits, just like Gringoire, who was extremely poor in pursuit of perfect poetry. Even so, he was unwilling to accept the column editor of a major newspaper. You have to make sacrifices for your ideals.

"Stars"

A young and poor shepherd stayed alone in the mountains tending sheep, but in his heart he fell in love with the young mistress. One day the hostess went up the mountain to deliver food, but she stayed on the mountain because of the weather. The shepherd was very happy. When the beautiful mistress fell asleep on his shoulder, he felt that the mistress was the brightest star in the sky.

Neither poverty nor status can stop people's desire for love.

"The Girl from Alai"

Live for love, die for love? A young man named Jean fell in love with a beautiful girl from Alai City and vowed not to marry except her. On the day they were about to get married, a man came over and said that the girl from Alay was his mistress. The father no longer agreed to the marriage, but the son's grief made them agree that he could marry a girl from Alai City, but Jean refused for his father's sake, and ultimately ended his own life by committing suicide, which also ended the love he pursued in his heart. "Contempt cannot kill true love." After reading this story, I suddenly felt very heavy in my heart. When I can't be with the one I love, is it right or wrong to choose death?

"The Pope's Mule"

The author went to the library to search for information on the meaning and origin of a proverb, and learned the original origin of "It is not too late to resolve a grudge in seven years" to a story. A speculative young man gained the pope's trust and gained access to his beautiful mule. But then he mistreats the mule. He later left for seven years, and when he returned for a desired position, he was kicked to death by the papal mule.

Those who speculate and benefit themselves at the expense of others will be punished.

"The Lighthouse of Sanguinaire"

The author recalled his life at the Lighthouse of Sanguinaire in order to "live in isolation and free reverie". He told the story of the lighthouse man, who did his job conscientiously on the lonely lighthouse. Life is monotonous, but they "lock themselves in the lighthouse to have fun." Lonely. Not everyone can enjoy it.

"The Whole Story of the Shipwreck of the Semiyant"

A warship sank, and six hundred officers and soldiers died in this accident. In fact, there were ships that sank here before. . What does it mean? The cruelty of war and the impermanence of life?

"Customs Clerk"

It describes the miserable life of customs clerks at sea, but they still face it happily. In fact, how can there be no pain in their hearts? It's just that they are helpless in the face of bad luck.

"The Priest of Guguignan"

A loving priest went to heaven and hell to find the people of Guguignan, but they were not there. He found them in a special place, where he saw many Guguignans who had made mistakes. Finally the priest decided to save their souls and prayed sincerely every day. In the end, Gugunan's good character spread widely, and the priest also dreamed that he was on the road to heaven.

"Old Couple and Old Wife"

The author went to visit his elderly grandparents on behalf of a friend. He saw an old couple who cared for each other and was extremely happy. They live peacefully with love for their loved ones and each other. From some details of their lives, you can see how they care for each other.

"Prose Poetry"

In nature, all living beings are equal. Whether he is a prince or a poor man, identity, status, and money are useless in the face of life. In the face of the beauty of nature, no words are effective.

"Bixius's Bag"

What on earth defeated Mr. Bixius: life, family, work, or social injustice? It is not until the contents of his purse fall out at the end that we understand that the pain of losing his child has left him unable to recover. Although it is a short story, it is full of suspense and conflict and is very attractive.

"The Legend of the Golden Brain Man"

What kind of life will a person lead when he only has money? A person born with a golden head is not happy in life. Money only brings him pain. What he needs is love.

The author once again conveys the important role of a peaceful life in people.

"Poet Mistral"

Go to meet a poet friend. Ideal is the soul of a poet. He praises love, praises morality, and sticks to himself.

"Three Little Masses"

"Orange - Fantasia"

When the orange placed in the trolley was sold, "its gorgeous The peel, its overpowering aroma, makes it seem weird,” but when we imagine the environment in which they grow. It will become useless. Everything is naturally the most beautiful.

"Two Small Hotels"

The desire for beauty and happiness is what everyone needs most in their hearts. Two small hotels living next to each other form a sharp contrast. Even the male owner of a lonely and deserted small hotel came to sing in other people's hotels.

"In Mirjana"

shows us the beautiful lights and customs of a small town. There are bells in the square, music playing in the square, shops, manors, etc. It has a completely gentle and pleasant feeling.

"Locust"

The people in Sahel Farm work hard, and they gain happiness from labor, but nature is irresistible. Locusts brought devastating disaster to this manor. All we can do is just let nature take its course and work harder.

"Père Gaucher's Medicinal Wine"

Tells the story of the birth of Father Gaucher's medicinal wine? A dilapidated monastery, poor monks, and later Father Gaucher created a medicinal wine. This medicinal wine brought huge profits to the monastery, but it also brought sins. Father Gaucher felt guilty in his alcohol addiction, and everyone began to pray for Father Gaucher. Which is more important, spiritual or material? What we are given is a very clear answer.

"In the Camargue"

The author traveled to the Camargue wilderness and described the scenery of the huts, the psychological activities and happiness during hunting, and the nature of Lake Vacarles landscape. It also expresses the author's longing for natural life.

"Remembering the Military Camp"

Everyone will have memories of their past. No matter what the past was like, it is worth remembering and commemorating.