Two Fighters

Translated by Kim Martin Metzger

Two fellows were giving each other a tough fight. One was big, the other was fat, one was heavy, the other tough, one was strong, the other was wild.

The strong one broke the wild one’s nose. And he felt: he’s got a nose like mine.

The wild one broke the strong one’s ribs. And he felt: these ribs crack just like mine.

The strong one gouged out one of the wild one’s eyes. And he felt: that eye is soft and delicate just like mine.

The wild one kicked the strong one in the stomach. And he felt: this stomach gives way just like mine.

The strong one choked the wild one’s throat. And he felt: he needs air to breathe just like I do.

The wild one jammed his fist into the strong one’s heart. And he felt: his heart beats just like mine. When both of them fell down and couldn’t get up again, they both thought: "he’s just like me, that guy."

But that didn’t do them much good any more.