My Uncle Jules ｜我的叔叔干勒

原著作者｜Guy de Maupassant

• Once upon a quiet morning
• little Paul stood by the old window
• looking at the blue sea.
• 
  
• His family was packing their bags
• for a long trip to the island city
• where Uncle Philippe might be found.
• 
  
• Paul had never met him
• but he heard stories of kindness
• and a smile warm as sunshine.
• 
  
• On the big ship
• Paul watched the waves dance and sparkle
• like tiny stars on the water.
• 
  
• When the ship reached the island
• Paul walked with his family through the busy port
• filled with voices, smells, and colors.
• 
  
• Just then
• he saw a thin man sitting by the pier
• quiet as a small shadow.
• 
  
• The man’s coat was worn
• his shoes were broken
• but his eyes were gentle
• like someone waiting for hope.
• 
  
• Paul felt a warm pull in his heart
• and stepped closer.
• 
  
• “Sir… are you hungry?” he asked softly
• taking out a fresh piece of bread
• his mother packed for him.
• 
  
• The man looked surprised
• then smiled slowly
• a smile that carried stories of faraway days.
• 
  
• “Thank you, little one,” he whispered
• his voice shaking like a tired bird
• finally finding a safe branch.
• 
  
• Paul sat beside him
• sharing bread, water
• and a small orange from his pocket.
• 
  
• As they ate together
• the man told simple tales
• about traveling from town to town.
• 
  
• Paul listened with bright eyes
• feeling something familiar
• like meeting someone from a dream.
• 
  
• When Paul’s family called him back
• the man looked at him deeply
• as if he wanted to remember his face.
• 
  
• “You are kind,” he said
• placing a gentle hand on Paul’s head.
• 
  
• Paul whispered
• “I hope someone is kind to you too.”
• 
  
• As Paul ran back to his parents
• he heard his mother gasp softly.
• 
  
• “That man… he looked like—”  
• “Yes,” his father whispered
• “Philippe.”
• 
  
• Paul turned back
• the man was gone
• only the sea wind remained.
• 
  
• But in Paul’s heart
• a warm light stayed
• shining like a tiny sun.
• 
  
• He didn’t know when Uncle Philippe would come home
• but he believed
• that kindness would guide him back one day
• just like a lighthouse guides a lost ship.