Message from Holland (7)

The sun was shining. That seems to be the signal for some men to put on shorts. Like this Sunday afternoon. Three men on the terrace of café De Waal had summer in their heads, while I sat, tightly wrapped in a sweater and jacket, sipping a cup of coffee.

Suddenly my eye fell on some black fidgeting on the table top. Turned out to be two small flies on closer inspection. One lay on top of the other. Both moved, not only up and down, but they also moved along with it.

The bottom fly was built slightly smaller than the top one. Insofar as this could be observed with the naked eye, they were lying in a position that is called 'Greek style' in technical terms. I couldn't tell if both flies were of the same sex.

The two insects held on for a long time. Unfortunately, there is no chronometer on my watch, otherwise I could have timed the lovemaking. And compare it with mine, which I will not elaborate on. A person has a right to secrets and I don't like all that so-called candor (for example in magazines and on the internet).

The game of the two lovebirds (can you talk about that in flying?) didn't show much variation. They continued in the same position. After some time the upper fly took off, or rather the legs or rather the wings. Was sir satisfied or was he too tired to finish the job?

The bottom fly remained for a while. For a moment I feared that he or she had succumbed to love, but after ten seconds it also flew away. Was he/she glad it was over or did I think I saw a blissful smile?

Yes, you experience something in Holland, on a terrace in Vlaardingen and for the first time in my 66-year life. To quote Nescio: 'And so everything goes on and woe to him who asks: Why?' (Little Titans, 1914)