Tuesday’s daily moomin
From “The Secret of the Hattifatteners.” This passage has a good — but difficult to follow — message at the end.
Once upon a time, rather long ago, it so happened that Moominpapa went away from home without the least explanation and without even himself understanding why he had to go.
Moominmama said afterwards that he had seemed odd for quite a time, but probably he hadn’t been odder than usual. That was just one of those things one thinks up afterwards when one’s bewildered and sad and wants the comfort of an explanation.
No one was quite certain of the moment Moominpapa had left.
Snufkin said that he had intended to row out with the hemulen to catch some alburn, but according to the hemulen Moominpapa had only sat on the verandah as usual and suddenly remarked that the weather was hot and boring and that the landing-stage needed a bit of repair. In any case, Moominpapa hadn’t repaired it, because it was as lop-sided as before. Also the boat was still there.
So Moominpapa had set out on foot, and as he could have chosen several directions there was no point in looking for him.
“He’ll be back in due time,” Moominmama said. “That’s what he used to tell me from the beginning and he always came back, so I suppose he’ll return this time, too.”
No one felt worried, and that was a good thing. They had decided never to feel worried about each other; in this way everybody was helped to a good conscience and as much freedom as possible.
