Tremendous Trifles

A Somewhat Improbable Story

I cannot remember whether this tale is true or not. If I read

it through very carefully I have a suspicion that I should come

to the conclusion that it is not. But, unfortunately, I cannot read

it through very carefully, because, you see, it is not written yet.

The image and the idea of it clung to me through a great part

of my boyhood; I may have dreamt it before I could talk; or told it

to myself before I could read; or read it before I could remember.

On the whole, however, I am certain that I did not read it,

for children have very clear memories about things like that;

and of the books which I was really fond I can still remember,

not only the shape and bulk and binding, but even the position

of the printed words on many of the pages. On the whole, I incline

to the opinion