[TTCN 22/6] Truye^.n nga('n: Co' mo^.t ngu+o+`i na(`m tre^n ma'i nha`

[Dam Son <son@u.washington.edu>]

Title: [TTCN 22/6] Truye^.n nga('n: Co' mo^.t ngu+o+`i na(`m tre^n ma'i nha`
Author: "proxy098@hotmail.com" <proxy098@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 08:37:46 +0700


Va(n Ho.c

Tra.i vie^'t Tre? 1997 cu?a Ho^.i Nha` va(n TP.HCM vu+`a be^' ma.c va`o
sa'ng 14-6-1997. Ba mu+o+i hai ho^.i vie^n du+. tra.i dda~ co' na(m
truye^.n da`i va` nhie^`u truye^.n nga('n, ba`i tho+..., tha`nh qua? sau
ba tha'ng hoa.t ddo^.ng. TTCN gio+'i thie^.u truye^.n nga('n mo+'i
nha^'t cu?a nha` va(n tre? Phan Trie^`u Ha?i tu+` tra.i vie^'t na`y. 

Co' mo^.t ngu+o+`i na(`m tre^n ma'i nha`
Truye^.n nga('n cu?a PHAN TRIE^`U HA?I 

Khi ma` sao cho^?i Hale-Bopp ddi qua thi` to^i ddang na(`m tre^n ma'i
nha`. Ban dda^`u, to^i tha^'y no' ra^'t mo+`, ra^'t nha.t. To^i tha^'y
no' nhu+ vu+`a chui ra kho?i mo^.t dda'm ma^y, tru+o+'c la` mo^.t ca'i
dda^`u nho?, tie^'p theo sau la` mo^.t chu`m sa'ng ddu.c ma` ca`ng lu'c
ca`ng mu+o+.t ma` ho+n, uye^?n chuye^?n nhu+ mo^.t ca'i dduo^i cho^`n
du+.ng ngu+o+.c. To^i bie^'t cha('c ddo' la` chi'nh no' cho du` chi?
nhi`n ba(`ng ma('t thu+o+`ng, bo+?i so vo+'i nhu+~ng chu`m sao quen
thuo^.c kha'c thi` no' co' mo^.t ve? ky` di., nhu+ mo^.t thie^'u nu+~
chu+ng die^.n bo^. a'o va'y sa'ng ru+.c kim tuye^'n ddi du+. ho^.i dde^m
he`. To^i kho^ng bie^'t no' xua^'t hie^.n dda~ bao la^u ro^`i tru+o+'c
ddo'. Le~ ra to^i dda~ pha?i leo le^n ma'i nha` so+'m ho+n, nhu+ mo.i
nga`y, dde^? a'p lu+ng tra^`n xuo^'ng ca'i ma'i to^n quen thuo^.c a^'y,
no+i ma` to^i chi? buo^.c pha?i ro+`i kho?i ddo' va`o nhu+~ng dde^m
mu+a. Ne^'u kho^ng, thi` to^i dda~ ddu+o+.c chie^m ngu+o+~ng la^u ho+n
nu+~a ca'i ca?nh tu+o+.ng cu+.c ky` hie^'m hoi chi? die^~n ra sau ha`ng
bao nhie^u ddo+`i ngu+o+`i. Nhu+ng to^'i ho^m ddo', to^i dda~ ba^'t
cho+.t cho+.p ma('t, kho^ng chi? vi` me^.t ma` co`n vi` ca'i la.nh
dda^`y quye^'n ru~ to?a ra tu+` nhu+~ng ma'i to^n nghie^ng nghie^ng hai
mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i a^'y. 
oOo 
Chi'nh xa'c la` hai mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i. Khi xa^y nha`, cha to^i
dda~ kho^ng he^` tua^n theo ba^'t ky` mo^.t kie^'n tru'c na`o ca?. 
- Tao dda~ o+? ca'i nha` na`y hai mu+o+i na(m nay. Tao bie^'t ca^`n
pha?i xa^y du+.ng nhu+ the^' na`o - O^ng no'i. 
Nhu+~ng ba?n ve~ cu?a ca'c kie^'n tru'c su+ kinh nghie^.m la^~n nhu+~ng
y' kie^'n ddo'ng go'p cu?a dda'm sinh vie^n xa^y du+.ng ddang ta^.p
ta`nh ddi va`o thu+.c te^' dde^`u bi. ga.t bo? kho^ng thu+o+ng xo't.
Kho^ng co' gi` lay chuye^?n ddu+o+.c o^ng. Va` cu+' du+.a tre^n tinh
tha^`n la~nh dda.o ddo' ma` ngo^i nha` mo.c le^n tu+` tu+`, cha^.m ra~i,
bo+?i kho^ng ai muo^'n la`m tru+o+'c nhu+~ng me^.nh le^.nh tu`y hu+'ng
va` thu+o+`ng khi tra'i ngu+o+.c vo+'i nhu+~ng nguye^n ta('c co+ ba?n
cu?a vi. chu? nha` vu+`a uy quye^`n, vu+`a chu? quan a^'y. Tru+o+?ng
nho'm xa^y du+.ng la` ngu+o+`i he^'t su+'c ca^?n tha^.n va` bie^'t
ddie^`u khi nhu+o+`ng ha(?n quye^`n quye^'t ddi.nh cho cha to^i ngay sau
nhu+~ng xung kha('c dda^`u tie^n, va` va`o mo^.t dde^m cu?a tha'ng thu+'
sa'u ke^? tu+` nga`y ngo^i nha` cu~ bi. dda^.p na't dde^? la`m nguye^n
lie^.u co+ ba?n cho ca'i ne^`n cu?a ngo^i nha` mo+'i, thi` cha to^i,
lu'c a^'y co`n ngu? ngoa`i tro+`i tro^'ng hoang hoa'c vi` mu`a kho^ na(m
nay qua' su+'c no'ng nu+.c, kho^ng he^` co' mo^.t ngo.n gio' la^~n gio.t
mu+a, dda~ bi. dda'nh thu+'c bo+?i ngu+o+`i ddo^.i tru+o+?ng ta^.n ti`nh
va` ca^?n tha^.n. 
- Nga`y mai chu'ng to^i se~ ba('t dda^`u la`m ma'i nha` - O^ng ddo^.i
tru+o+?ng no'i nho?. 
Cha to^i ga^.t gu`: 
- u+`, thi` cu+' la`m. 
Ngu+o+`i ddo^.i tru+o+?ng co' qua' thu+`a kinh nghie^.m trong nhu+~ng
tru+o+`ng ho+.p na`y: 
- To^i ho?i xem o^ng muo^'n la`m nhu+ the^' na`o. La`m ma'i nha` la`
mo^.t vie^.c quan tro.ng, ta^'t ca? mo.i ngu+o+`i tre^n tra'i dda^'t
na`y dde^`u pha?i so^'ng du+o+'i nhu+~ng ma'i nha`. Co' tu+o+ng lai hay
kho^ng cu~ng tu`y thuo^.c va`o ma'i nha`. 
- DDu'ng dda^'y - Cha to^i nga^~m nghi~ - Va^.y thi`, to^i muo^'n co'
mo^.t ma'i nha` ma`u sa'ng, va` nghie^ng. 
- Ma'i to^n ma`u sa'ng, va` nghie^ng. Ta^'t nhie^n ro^`i - Ngu+o+`i
ddo^.i tru+o+?ng va^~n nghie^m nghi. - Nhu+ng nghie^ng nhu+ the^' na`o ?
Bao nhie^u ddo^.? 
Cha to^i lo^. ve? hoang mang, nhu+ng vo^'n la` ngu+o+`i kho^ng bao gio+`
muo^'n dde^? ngu+o+`i kha'c tha^'y su+. ma^'t chu? ddo^.ng cu?a mi`nh,
o^ng ho?i ngu+o+.c la.i: 
- Tra'i dda^'t na`y quay theo mo^.t tru.c nghie^ng. Ca'i tru.c a^'y
nghie^ng bao nhie^u ddo^. ? 
La^`n na`y dde^'n lu+o+.t o^ng ddo^.i tru+o+?ng lu'ng tu'ng, va` pha?i
ma^'t hai gia^y cho mo^.t ca^u tra? lo+`i: 
- Hi`nh nhu+ hai mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i. 
- Va^.y thi` ha~y la`m cho to^i mo^.t ca'i ma'i nghie^ng ddu'ng hai
mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i. Tha^.t chi'nh xa'c, kho^ng ddu+o+.c sai mo^.t
ly - Cha to^i ra le^.nh, ke^'t thu'c va^'n dde^` he^. tro.ng a^'y ba(`ng
ca'ch nghie^ng la^.t ngu+o+`i sang mo^.t be^n, va` nhu+ thu+o+`ng le^.
gia^'c ngu? dde^'n vo+'i o^ng nhanh ngay la^.p tu+'c. 
oOo 
Cuo^'i cu`ng thi` ma'i nha` cu~ng dda~ la`m xong, no' nghie^ng nghie^ng
theo mo^.t go'c na`o ddo' ma` ba^'t ky` ai khi nhi`n nga('m cu~ng kho^ng
the^? kho^ng nha^.n tha^'y ddu+o+.c su+. ho`a ho+.p de^~ chi.u cu?a no'
ddo^'i vo+'i mi`nh. 
- Ma'i nha` tro^ng ra^'t thoa?i ma'i - Mo.i ngu+o+`i nha^.n xe't. 
- Bo+?i vi` no' nghie^ng hai mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i - Cha to^i kha(?ng
ddi.nh. 
Tuy nhie^n, nhu+~ng nga`y dda^`u tie^n o+? trong ngo^i nha` mo+'i luo^n
luo^n co' mo^.t ca?m gia'c la. tha^.t kho' chi.u. Mu`i ho^i vu+~a, mu`i
so+n cu+?a, mu`i cu?a vecni dda'nh tre^n go^~ chu+a ki.p kho^ khie^'n
kho^ng ai co' the^? ngo^`i la^u ddu+o+.c nu+?a nga`y. 
- DDo' la` do nha` mo+'i - Cha to^i tra^'n an - Chu+a ki.p co' ho+i
ngu+o+`i. 
Vo+. to^i dda~ su+?a chu+~a thie^'u so't a^'y ba(`ng nhu+~ng sai la^`m.
Tru+o+'c tie^n la` va`o di.p cuo^'i na(m, na`ng dda~ ha`o pho'ng tri'ch
ha(?n ra mo^.t pha^`n tie^`n da`nh du.m co`m co~i dde^? mua nhu+~ng
cha^.u hoa kie^?ng sa(.c so+~, vo+'i tham vo.ng kho^ng he^` che gia^'u: 
- Qua na(m, em se~ tro^`ng chu'ng tha`nh mo^.t ru+`ng hoa trong nha`. 
Nhu+ng tham vo.ng a^'y nhanh cho'ng lu.i ta`n chi? mu+o+i nga`y sau.
Na`ng dda~ pha?i nho.c co^ng ddi ho^'t he^'t la' kho^, ca`nh kho^ ro+i
ru.ng mo^~i nga`y, ma` lo`ng va^~n hi vo.ng nhu+~ng ca^y a^'y cha(?ng
qua ddang tie^'n ha`nh mo^.t qua' tri`nh thay da ddo^?i thi.t, dde^?
cuo^'i cu`ng co' mo^.t pha't hie^.n muo^.n ma`ng la` nhu+~ng ca^y
kie^?ng a^'y ddu+o+.c ngu+o+`i ba'n tro^`ng ddo+n gia?n ba(`ng ca'ch
ca('m tha(?ng va`o dda^'t ma` kho^ng he^` co' mo^.t co.ng re^~ na`o kha?
di~ co' the^? nuo^i so^'ng ddu+o+.c chu'ng cho to+'i mu`a ra hoa to+'i.
Sau ddo' na`ng tie^'p tu.c thu+.c hie^.n sai la^`m ke^' tie^'p la` mua
mo^.t chie^'c lo^`ng chim tuye^.t dde.p co' cha.m tro^? va`i ddu+o+`ng
vie^`n theo phong ca'ch la(ng ta^?m cu?a vua quan trie^`u Nguye^~n. 
- DDe^? cho vui cu+?a vui nha` khi gia ddi`nh ta co`n chu+a co' tre?
con. 
Chu' chim nho? be' ma` lanh lo+.i, cu+' li'u lo ho't suo^'t nhu+~ng
nga`y mo+'i ve^`. The^' nhu+ng cha`ng chim a^'y cu~ng chi? mua vui
ddu+o+.c mo^.t va`i ho^m. Sau ddo' la` mo^.t ca?nh tu+o+.ng u? ru~,
vo+'i lo^ng ca'nh, lo^ng dduo^i xo+ xa'c ro+i xuo^'ng sa`n. Va` dde^?
tra'nh mo^.t ke^'t cuo^.c bi tha?m ddang die^~n ra tu+`ng nga`y tu+`ng
gio+` trong ngo^i nha`, vo+. to^i dda~ vo^.i va`ng giu'i ca'i lo^`ng son
vo+'i con chim to^.i nghie^.p ddang thoi tho'p cho tha(`ng be' ddo^?
ra'c va`o mo^.t buo^?i tru+a. 
- No' se~ bie^'t ca'ch cha(m so'c con chim. 
Vo+. to^i no'i, ru~ sa.ch no^~i a(n na(n vo+'i sinh va^.t be' bo?ng a^'y
mo^.t ca'ch nhe. nha`ng nhu+ va^.y. 
oOo 
Nhu+ng sau nhu+~ng ca^u chuye^.n a^'y thi` mo.i ngu+o+`i cu~ng dda~
ba('t dda^`u quen vo+'i ngo^i nha` mo+'i. Ta^'t ca? nha^.n ra ra(`ng,
ca'i ho+i ngu+o+`i ca^`n co' o+? ngo^i nha` thu+o+`ng ddu+o+.c no'i
dde^'n, chi'nh la` ky? nie^.m, kho^ng co' gi` ga^`n vo+'i ngu+o+`i ho+n
la` nhu+~ng ky? nie^.m. Gio+` thi` mo.i ngu+o+`i dda~ co' nhu+~ng ky?
nie^.m mo+'i, dda~ co' the^? nhi`n quanh ma` nho+' ddu+o+.c nhu+~ng sai
la^`m cu?a vo+. to^i ddang die^~n ra o+? dda^u. 
Na`y la` o+? bo^'n go'c nha`, no+i tu+`ng dda(.t nhu+~ng cha^.u kie^?ng;
na`y la` hie^n nha`, no+i tu+`ng tru' ngu. cu?a con chim to^.i nghie^.p
vo+'i chie^'c lo^`ng son. Chi? co' to^i la` kho^ng quen ddu+o+.c vo+'i
no+i o+? mo+'i, kho^ng quen o+? ma` tre^n dda^`u bi. che bo+?i mo^.t
ma'i nha`, va` xung quanh la` nhu+~ng bu+'c tu+o+`ng co' cu+?a so^?
tro^? ra lu+ng nhu+~ng tu+o+`ng nha` ha`ng xo'm. To^i dda~ nhie^~m pha?i
ca'i tho'i quen so^'ng ngoa`i tro+`i trong suo^'t tho+`i gian xa^y nha`,
a^'y la` tho'i quen ddu+o+.c nga('m nhu+~ng ngo^i sao ha(`ng dde^m. Ca'i
tho'i quen mo+'i dda~ de^~ da`ng xo'a ddi hoa`n toa`n nhu+~ng tho'i quen
va` so+? thi'ch kha'c ma` to^i dda~ ti'ch lu~y ddu+o+.c trong suo^'t
ha(`ng ma^'y mu+o+i na(m so^'ng tre^n co~i ddo+`i na`y. Va` the^' la`
ha(`ng dde^m, to^i leo le^n ma'i nha`, tu+.a ca'i lu+ng tra^`n va`o ma'i
to^n la`nh la.nh nghie^ng hai mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i, hai cha^n khe'p
la.i xuo^i theo so'ng to^n ve^` du+o+'i, hai tay khoanh tre^n ngu+.c va`
ma('t ngu+o+'c nhi`n le^n ba^`u tro+`i dden tha(m tha(?m dda^`y sao.
Mo^~i dde^m to^i cu+' na(`m nhu+ the^' ha`ng gio+` lie^`n, sung su+o+'ng
vi` xung quanh kho^ng co' nhu+~ng bu+'c tu+o+`ng, tre^n dda^`u mi`nh
chi? mo^.t ba^`u tro+`i, mo^.t ba^`u tro+`i lo+'n me^nh mo^ng, va`
kho^ng he^` bi. chia xe?. Co' ra^'t nhie^`u sao trong ba^`u tro+`i ddo',
cu+' mo^~i nga`y la.i co' mo^.t bo^' cu.c nhu+~ng sao kha'c nhau. Va`
cu+' ha(`ng tha'ng la.i co' tra(ng xua^'t hie^.n. No'i chung to^i kho^ng
thi'ch tra(ng, vi` no' luo^n luo^n to qua', tro`n qua', sa'ng qua'.
Tra(ng cu+' nhu+ mo^.t thie^'u nu+~ dde^'n hoa(.c se~ dde^'n tru+o+'c ta
vo+'i khuo^n ma(.t dda^`y son pha^'n, nhi`n tha(?ng va`o ta vo+'i ca'i
nhi`n la.nh le~o va` bo+~n co+.t, ro^`i no'i: "To^i ra^'t dde.p, ddu'ng
kho^ng ?". Ma` ta thi` kho^ng the^? co' mo^.t lo+`i na`o kha'c ngoa`i
vie^.c pha?i thu+`a nha^.n su+. tha^.t ddo'. To^i kho^ng thi'ch ca'i
kie^?u so^~ sa`ng a^'y, to^i chi? thi'ch ti`m nhu+~ng ngo^i sao. Pha?i
ti`m. Co' nhu+~ng lu'c ngay no+i a^'y kho^ng he^` co' mo^.t ngo^i sao
na`o, nhu+ng trong cho+'p ma('t la.i co' mo^.t ddo^'m sa'ng xua^'t
hie^.n be' ti' nhu+ dda^`u kim, dde^? ro^`i khi ba.n chu+a ki.p ki`m
giu+~ la.i thi` chi? mo^.t ca'i cho+'p ma('t, no' bie^'n ma^'t khie^'n
kho^ng the^? bie^'t ddu+o+.c thu+.c hu+. Va` cu+' nhu+ the^', ba.n co'
the^? cho+i ca'i tro` na`y ma~i, ma` ca`ng cho+i ca`ng bi. hu't va`o
nhu+ mo^.t thu+' ddam me^ kho^ng sao du+'t ra ddu+o+.c, dde^? ro^`i
mo^~i buo^?i sa'ng ba.n la.i buo^.c pha?i mong cho+` dde^'n dde^m to^'i
dde^? ddu+o+.c nga('m, ddu+o+.c cho+i ca'i tro` tro^'n ti`m ba^'t ta^.n
ddo'. 
oOo 
Vo+. to^i ra^'t kho^ng ha`i lo`ng vo+'i ddam me^ na`y cu?a cho^`ng.
DDo^'i vo+'i na`ng, ta^'t ca? nhu+~ng ly' do to^i ddu+a ra dde^`u kho^ng
the^? bie^.n minh ddu+o+.c cho mo^.t ha`nh ddo^.ng ddie^n ro^` nhu+
the^', du` ddo' la` mo^.t lo^'i thoa't cho nhu+~ng co^ng vie^.c cu.
the^? ma` ddo+n ddie^.u, hay nha(`m cho^'ng ddo+~ nhu+~ng ro^~ng tue^'ch
mo+ ho^` cu+' nga`y la.i nga`y ga(.m mo`n he^'t nhu+~ng y' chi' muo^'n
ddu+o+.c suy nghi~ mo^.t ca'i gi` ddo' tha^.t rie^ng bie^.t cho mi`nh.
Na`ng tuye^n bo^' ra(`ng kho^ng co' gi` to^`i te^. ba(`ng vie^.c ha(`ng
dde^m cho^`ng cu+' len le'n leo le^n ma'i nha` ma` nga('m sao tro+`i,
bo? ma(.c vo+. ngo^`i tu` tu'ng o+? du+o+'i nha` trong tie^'ng oang oang
cu?a he^'t bi`nh lua^.n vie^n the^? thao dde^'n bi`nh lua^.n vie^n
tho+`i su+. tre^n truye^`n hi`nh. Nhu+ng na`ng cu~ng chu+a the^? ti`m ra
ddu+o+.c mo^.t ly' do na`o ddu? ma.nh dde^? co' the^? ke^'t lie^~u co^ng
cuo^.c leo tre`o ti`m tu+. do cu?a to^i cho dde^'n mo^.t nga`y tha'ng
tu+ no'ng bu+'c, lu'c a^'y to^i ddang o+? tra^`n, dda(.t bu+o+'c dda^`u
tie^n le^n na^'c thang tre da^~n tu+` be^'p le^n ma'i nha` thi` na`ng
tho^ng ba'o: 
- Trong tha'ng na`y se~ co' sao cho^?i Hale-Bopp dda^'y, ddo^. cao tu+`
mu+o+`i dde^'n hai mu+o+i la(.m ddo^. ta^y ta^y ba('c. 
To^i su+?ng so^'t. To^i chu+a he^` ngo+` dde^'n ddie^`u na`y bao gio+`.
To^i ddu+'ng cheo leo tre^n thang, hoang mang. Hale-Bopp. To^i dda~
ddu+o+.c tro^ng tha^'y no' sao. Vo+. to^i bi`nh ti~nh tie^'p: 
- Va` anh se~ kho^ng bao gio+` ddu+o+.c leo le^n ma'i nha` nu+~a sau khi
nga('m ddu+o+.c no'. 
DDo' la` mo^.t tho?a thua^.n ho+.p ly'. Bo+?i Hale-Bopp chi? quay la.i
vo+'i tra'i dda^'t cu+' mo^~i hai nga`n bo^'n tra(m na(m. To^i bie^'t
ro~ nhu+ the^'. To^i co`n bie^'t ra(`ng cho du` ca'i dduo^i cu?a no'
da`i dde^'n ho+n mo^.t trie^.u kilo^met thi` cu~ng kho^ng de^~ gi` ma`
ba('t ga(.p ddu+o+.c ba(`ng ma('t thu+o+`ng, nha^'t la` trong tua^`n
tra(ng sa'ng na`y. 
- Anh pha?i le^n ma'i nha` so+'m ho+n mo^.t chu't vi` no' chi? xua^'t
hie^.n khi tro+`i vu+`a to^'i - Vo+. to^i nha('c nho+?. 
Va`o gio+` a^'y, ma'i to^n ha~y co`n a^m a^'m no'ng bo+?i gia^'c tru+a
da`i me^nh mang na('ng. Pha^`n da lu+ng cu?a to^i da'n va`o ma'i to^n
cu+' ri`n ri.n mo^` ho^i. Khi to^i na(`m da`i, to^i co' the^? tro^ng
tha^'y hai mu~i cha^n cu?a mi`nh chu'c la.i o+? phi'a du+o+'i kia. To^i
na(`m nghie^ng dda^`u qua hu+o+'ng ta^y ta^y ba('c mo^.t chu't, va`
cho.n mo^.t tu+ the^' nhe. nha`ng nha^'t vo+'i nhu+~ng kho+'p xu+o+ng
o+? khuy?u tay, khuy?u cha^n sao cho co' the^? na(`m la^u ddu+o+.c ma`
kho^ng mo?i. Va` trong nhu+~ng nga`y cho+` ddo+.i khi na(`m nhu+ the^',
thi?nh thoa?ng to^i ba('t ga(.p mo^.t la`n kho'i ddi le^n nhe` nhe. tu+`
ma'i nha` be^n, mo^.t va`i ngo.n la' kho^ tru+o+.t xuo^'ng ma'ng nu+o+'c
va` mo^.t ba~i cu+'t me`o co`n mo+'i tu+o+i. 
oOo 
Lu'c chu+a co' sao cho^?i xua^'t hie^.n thi` to^i thu+o+`ng hay nghi~.
To^i nghi~ la` se~ la`m gi` va`o na(m ba mu+o+i tuo^?i. Co' le~ cu~ng
kho^ng co' gi` thay ddo^?i nhie^`u. Ro^`i to^i nghi~ la` se~ la`m gi`
na(m bo^'n mu+o+i tuo^?i. Lu'c a^'y co' le~ to^i dda~ cha^.m ddi nhu+ng
cha('c cu~ng va^~n ddang ddi la`m tho^i. Ngu+o+`i ta no'i tuo^?i a^'y
thi` mo+'i la` tuo^?i chi'n muo^`i. Khi to^i chi'n muo^`i va`o tuo^?i
ddo' thi` to^i se~ co' gi` trong tay nhi? ? To^i kho^ng ro~. Nhu+ng no'i
tha^.t ti`nh la` to^i kho^ng bie^'t, bo+?i ba^y gio+` to^i cu~ng dda~
co' the^? ngo^`i o+? nha` ma` bie^'t chie^'n su+. ddang die^~n ra o+?
dda^u qua ca'i tivi, to^i dda~ co' the^? uo^'ng bia lu'c na`o cu~ng
sa(~n trong tu? la..nh. To^i dda^u ca^`n kie^'m the^m hai ca'i tu? la.nh
hay hai ca'i tivi dde^? trong nha` ma` la`m chi. Lu'c a^'y ddie^`u quan
tro.ng nha^'t co' the^? co' ddu+o+.c la` nhu+~ng ddu+'a con. Co' le~
lu'c a^'y to^i se~ lo cho nhu+~ng ddu+'a con. Ro^`i to^i nghi~ la` to^i
se~ la`m gi` va`o na(m na(m mu+o+i tuo^?i. Lu'c a^'y to^i kho^ng the^?
o^m ma~i ca'i ca(.p ma` ddi dde^'n ngu+o+`i na`y ngu+o+`i no. cha`o
ha`ng nhu+ ba^y gio+`. Va? la.i ngu+o+`i ta cu~ng kho^ng ca^`n mo^.t
nha^n vie^n gia` nua nhu+ the^' cho du` la` ma^~n ca'n tuye^.t ddo^'i
ddi nu+~a. No'i chung, nhu+~ng khi na(`m cho+` sao cho^?i to^i thu+o+`ng
nghi~ ra^'t nhie^`u nhu+ va^.y. Nhu+ng kho^ng pha?i lu'c na`o cu~ng
nghi~ qua' xa, ddo^i khi to^i nghi~ ra^'t thu+.c te^', cha(?ng ha.n nhu+
to^i ba^y gio+` la` mo^.t ga~ ra^'t to, ra^'t kho?e. Cha(?ng ha.n nhu+
to^i kho^ng thi'ch o+? trong nha`, ma` thi'ch o+? ngoa`i tro+`i. To^i
the`m hi't tho+? khi' tro+`i ghe^ la('m. No'i ca'i na`y ho+i ba^.y,
nhu+ng ho^`i co`n nho? lu'c na`o to^i cu~ng thi'ch o+? truo^`ng. To^i
o+? truo^`ng mo.i no+i na`o co' the^? ddu+o+.c, nha^'t la` nhu+~ng khi
cha.y ngoa`i mu+a. Nhu+~ng dde^m he` kho^ng co' mu+a thi` to^i thi'ch
ta('m ngoa`i tro+`i, to^i thi'ch do^.i nu+o+'c a`o a`o, nu+o+'c la.nh
nga('t ke'o le^n tu+` gie^'ng. To^i cu~ng thi'ch ngu? du+o+'i nhu+~ng
ta'n ca^y, nha^'t la` nhu+~ng dde^m ma` co' gio' luo^`n qua ngu+.c, qua
to'c. To^i thi'ch nhu+~ng ddie^`u ddo' ghe^ la('m. 
oOo 
Sau mo^.t tua^`n to^i canh giu+~ su+. xua^'t hie^.n cu?a Hale-Bopp tre^n
ma'i nha`, cha to^i tuye^n bo^': 
- Ma`y se~ cha(?ng la`m mo^.t ca'i gi` cho ra ho^`n ddu+o+.c. 
Nhu+ng dda^y kho^ng pha?i la` la^`n dda^`u tie^n to^i nghe mo^.t ca^u
nhu+ the^'. DDo^'i vo+'i cha to^i thi` ngu+o+`i ta sinh ra tre^n ddo+`i
na`y kho^ng pha?i la` dde^? a(n, ngu?, kie^'m tie^`n phu.c vu. chuye^.n
a(n ngu? ro^`i che^'t. Theo o^ng, thi` la`m mo^.t con ngu+o+`i co`n kho'
kha(n ho+n nhie^`u. Va` kho^ng chi? co' mo^~i mo^.t mi`nh cha to^i co'
y' kie^'n nhu+ the^'. Co' la^`n to^i nghe ngu+o+`i ta ca ngo+.i mo^.t
nha` tho+ tre^n truye^`n hi`nh: 
- O^ng a^'y kho^ng chi? la` mo^.t nha` tho+ ma` co`n la` mo^.t con
ngu+o+`i. 
La` mo^.t con ngu+o+`i. To^i cha('c cha('n khi ma` tho^'t ra mo^.t ca^'u
tru'c ca^u nhu+ the^' thi` con ngu+o+`i ddang ddu+o+.c vie^'t hoa, va`
nha^'n ma.nh ra(`ng kho^ng ai cu+' so^'ng la` dda~ dda?m ba?o tha`nh
mo^.t con ngu+o+`i ddu+o+.c. Pha^`n to^i thi` to^i ra^'t tie^'c, to^i
mong ddu+o+.c no'i mo^.t tra(m nga`n la^`n dde^? xa'c nha^.n vo+'i mo^.t
tra(m nga`n ngu+o+`i ma` to^i co' the^? ga(.p ra(`ng tu+`ng ngu+o+`i,
tu+`ng ngu+o+`i mo^.t, ta^'t ca? dde^`u la` nhu+~ng con ngu+o+`i. Co'
nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i ma` to^i ra^'t ghe't, nhu+ng to^i cu~ng se~ no'i vo+'i
ho. nhu+ the^', bo+?i to^i tha^'y la`m con ngu+o+`i tu+o+?ng cao ra'o
la('m, nhu+ng e^ a^?m co' thu+`a. Ngu+o+`i ta pha^n bie^.t nhau ra
ngu+o+`i to^'t, ngu+o+`i xa^'u, trong khi xa^'u hay to^'t gi` thi` cu~ng
dde^`u do chi'nh ngu+o+`i nha`o na(.n nhau ma` ne^n. To^i bie^'t ca'i
sao cho^?i Hale-Bopp kho^ng pha?i la` la^`n dda^`u tie^n dde^'n tra'i
dda^'t na`y, no' dda~ tu+`ng du ha`nh ngang qua dda^y ho+n bo^'n nga`n
na(m tru+o+'c. To^i kho^ng hi`nh dung ddu+o+.c bo^'n nga`n na(m tru+o+'c
co' nhu+~ng ai la` ai, co' te^n tuo^?i gi`, co' ddi.a vi. gi`, co'
nhu+~ng vinh quang hay tho^'ng kho^? gi`. To^i cu~ng kho^ng bie^'t hai
nga`n bo^'n tra(m na(m sau thi` nhu+~ng ai la` ngu+o+`i se~ la` gi`.
To^i kho^ng bie^'t nhu+~ng ddie^`u ddo' bo+?i to^i se~ tha`nh ca't bu.i
chi? chu+`ng na(m mu+o+i na(m nu+~a. To^i muo^'n chia se? y' nghi~ ma`
cha to^i go.i la` ddie^n ro^` a^'y cho nhu+~ng ai to^i ga(.p ddu+o+.c.
Ne^'u ma` to^i co' the^? bo? co^ng vie^.c trong mo^.t tho+`i gian da`i
ma` kho^ng bi. che^'t ddo'i, thi` to^i se~ ddi xa. DDi chi? la`m mo^.t
co^ng vie^.c he^'t su+'c ddo+n gia?n. Tru+o+'c tie^n to^i se~ dde^'n
nha` tho+ no. va` xin ddu+o+.c no'i la.i: "O^ng kho^ng chi? la` mo^.t
con ngu+o+`i ma` co`n la` mo^.t nha` tho+". Tie^'p ddo' la` ba^'t ky` ai
to^i ga(.p tre^n ddu+o+`ng, to^i se~ xin phe'p xa'c nha^.n vo+'i tu+`ng
ngu+o+`i mo^.t: 
- Anh kho^ng chi? la` mo^.t con ngu+o+`i ma` co`n la` tho+. mo^.c. 
Hay: 
- Chi. kho^ng chi? la` mo^.t con ngu+o+`i ma` co`n la` mo^.t phu. nu+~
dde.p. 
Va` ne^'u co' tho+`i gian, to^i se~ ta'n ga^~u vo+'i ho. ra(`ng khoa?ng
ca'ch tu+` qua? dda^'t dde^'n ma(.t tra(ng la` ba tra(m nga`n kilo^met.
Tu+` qua? dda^'t dde^'n ma(.t tro+`i la` mo^.t tra(m na(m mu+o+i trie^.u
kilo^met. Tu+` Hale-Bopp dde^'n qua? dda^'t lu'c ga^`n nha^'t la` hai
tra(m trie^.u kilo^met. Tu+` nha` to^i dde^'n nha` ba.n la` mo^.t tra(m
me't ma` chu'ng ta ga(.p nhau mo^~i na(m chi? co' mo^.t la^`n. Va` nhu+
the^' thi` chu'ng ta mo+'i nho? be' la`m sao. Qua' nho? be' dde^? co'
the^? pha^n ca^'p hay so nhau mo^.t tie^'ng no'i. Cho du` ta co' dda'ng
la` ngu+o+`i hay kho^ng ddi nu+~a thi` ngay ca? khi tu+.a va`o nhau
ro^`i, chi'nh qua? dda^'t cu+u mang ta^'t ca? mo.i ngu+o+`i cu~ng nho?
be' no^'t. DDa~ co' so^' lie^.u ro~ ra`ng ro^`i dda^'y. 
Cu+' nhu+ the^' ma` to^i dda~ na(`m suo^'t nhie^`u nga`y lie^`n tre^n
ma'i nha` tu+` mo^~i sa'u gio+` bo^'n mu+o+i la(m chie^`u mo^~i nga`y,
trong khi nie^`m tin cu?a mo.i ngu+o+`i dda(.t va`o ca'i su+. kie^.n
a^'y da^`n da^`n lu.i ta^`n. 
- Ne^'u co' tra(ng thi` se~ co' kho^ng the^? nhi`n tha^'y sao cho^?i -
Vo+. to^i dda~ ba('t dda^`u muo^'n cha^'m du+'t nhu+~ng ly' do chi'nh
dda'ng cho vie^.c na(`m tre^n ma'i nha` cu?a to^i. 
To^i kho^ng bie^'t la` ne^'u kho^ng leo le^n ma'i nha` nu+~a thi` se~
la`m gi` o+? du+o+'i ma'i nha`. Vo+. to^i thi` lu'c na`o cu~ng co'
vie^.c dde^? la`m, nhu+~ng co^ng vie^.c va(.t va~nh cu?a mo^.t phu. nu+~
chuye^n lo cho ca'i to^? cu?a mi`nh. Hoa(.c ngay ca? khi he^'t vie^.c
ro^`i, na`ng va^~n co' the^? ba^.n ro^.n la he't con me`o vo+'i nhie^.t
ti`nh kho^ng ddo^?i cu~ng nhu+ the^? ddang loay hoay be^n ca'i cha?o
bo^'c kho'i nghi ngu't. To^i cu~ng co' the^? tha^'y cha to^i vun ve'n
cho nhu+~ng bu.i ca^y con con tru+o+'c cu+?a, mie^.ng pha`n na`n ve^`
dda'm con ni't ha`ng xo'm nga`y ca`ng coi thu+o+`ng ca'i uy cu?a o^ng
ma` cu+' be? ngang ma^'y ca`nh hoa. To^i co' the^? hi`nh dung ra mo.i
ddie^`u tha^.t chi'nh xa'c, tru+` vie^.c to^i se~ la`m gi` trong khoa?ng
tho+`i gian ddo'. Suo^'t mo^.t nga`y so^'ng trong kho'i bu.i, trong
tie^'ng ddo^.ng co+ xe ma'y, trong tie^'ng no'i cu+o+`i cu?a nhu+~ng
dda'm ddo^ng, thi` dde^m ve^` to^i chi? muo^'n ye^n la(.ng. Ma` ye^n
la(.ng thi` kho^ng no+i dda^u ye^n la(.ng ba(`ng ba^`u tro+`i. Tha^.t
dda^'y. 
Ho^m nay tro+`i cu+' na('ng nhu+ lu+?a. Du+o+'i ca'i na('ng a^'y, to^i
dda~ cha.y he^'t mu+o+`i chi'n vo`ng dde^? giao khung tranh cho kha'ch
ha`ng. Ngu+o+`i ta tra? cho to^i mu+o+`i la(m nga`n mo^.t vo`ng. Ho^m
may to^i kie^'m ddu+o+.c hai tra(m ta'm mu+o+i la(m nga`n. Hie^'m khi
na`o to^i kie^'m ddu+o+.c tu+`ng a^'y tie^`n trong mo^.t nga`y, nhu+ng
to^i cu~ng kho^ng ki.p vui su+o+'ng vo+'i ddie^`u a^'y. To^i me^.t qua'.
Ve^` dde^'n nha` mo+'i tha^'y me^.t, bao nhie^u thu+' trong dda^`u
qua'nh la.i nhu+ mo^.t tra'i tennis, cu+' la(n va` nha?y tu+` go'c na`y
sang go'c kia, tu+` mang tai tra'i sang mang tai pha?i. Ta^'t ca? la`
ta.i na('ng, na('ng nhu+ lu+?a. To^i me^.t dde^'n no^~i chi? muo^'n
na(`m da`i ra, va` qua? tha^.t to^i dda~ na(`m da`i ra. Vo+. to^i co+?i
a'o cho to^i, cha^.m ra~i lau ngu+o+`i to^i ba(`ng mo^.t ca'i kha(n kho^
cu+'ng vi` suo^'t nga`y pho+i ngoa`i na('ng, nhu+~ng so+.i lo^ng cu?a
kha(n xa't le^n ngu+o+`i ra't bo?ng. To^i muo^'n no'i vo+'i na`ng la`
hi`nh nhu+ no' ddang la`m tra^`y xu+o+'t da, va` na`ng ha~y la`m o+n ddi
nhu'ng nu+o+'c ca'i kha(n a^'y, nhu+ng to^i cu~ng kho^ng pha?n u+'ng
ddu+o+.c. To^i kho^ng cu+? ddo^.ng ddu+o+.c ca? ba`n tay. 
To^i thu+'c da^.y khi na`ng ddang ngo^`i o+? go'c ba`n. Vo+. to^i ddang
dde^'m tie^`n, ddang xe^'p nhu+~ng to+` na(m nga`n tha`nh tu+`ng xa^'p
mo^.t tra(m nga`n va` buo^.c mo^~i xa^'p ba(`ng mo^.t so+.i thun mo?ng.
Ro^`i sau ddo' na`ng go+~ da^y buo^.c, na`ng xe^'p tha`nh tu+`ng xa^'p
na(m mu+o+i nga`n, va` buo^.c mo^~i hai xa^'p ba(`ng mo^.t so+.i thun
mo?ng. Ro^`i sau ddo' na`ng la.i go+~ da^y buo^.c, na`ng xe^'p tha`nh
tu+`ng xa^'p mu+o+`i nga`n va` buo^.c ta^'t ca? ba(`ng mo^.t so+.i thun
kha'c lo+'n ho+n. Na`ng la`m ta^'t ca? nhu+~ng co^ng vie^.c ddo' mo^.t
ca'ch cha^.m ra~i, ca'i ngu+.c lo+'n ti` sa't va`o ba`n. Na`ng thong
tha? dde^'m, thong tha? buo^.c, to'c na`ng lo~a xo~a sau ga'y, ma`u to'c
kho^ng co`n tu+o+i nhu+ nga`y tru+o+'c. Nga`y tru+o+'c to'c na`ng dden
nha'nh, gio+` thi` hoe hoe va`ng. To^i kho^ng bie^'t vi` sao to'c na`ng
la.i nha.t ddi. Co' nhu+~ng ddie^`u ma` to^i kho^ng bao gio+` thie^'t
tha ti`m hie^?u dde^'n no+i dde^'n cho^'n, bo+?i nhu+~ng vie^.c a^'y
cu~ng cha(?ng co' i'ch gi`. 
- Em ca?m o+n anh - Na`ng cu'i xuo^'ng, thi` tha^`m - Ho^m nay nhie^`u
tie^`n qua' - Ha`m ra(ng nho? cu?a na`ng ca('n va`o tai va` ca'i lu+o+~i
vo`ng quanh khie^'n to^i ru`ng mi`nh. Anh ngu? la^u chu+a? - Na`ng nhe.
nha`ng. 
- Chi? mo+'i mo^.t la't tho^i - To^i tho+? ra - Ma^'y gio+` ro^`i ? Ta'm
gio+`. 
Na`ng no'i. To^i ba^'t cho+.t nghe la.nh suo^'t lu+ng. To^i ngo^`i
pha('t da^.y, dda^`u o'c quay cuo^`ng nhu+ mu. ha(?n ddi, chi? tru+` duy
nha^'t mo^.t ddie^`u co`n la.i, la` no'. Sao cho^?i. Chu+a bao gio+`
to^i co' mo^.t ca?m gia'c la. nhu+ the^' na`y ve^` no', tim to^i dda^.p
do^`n va` hai ba`n tay la.nh co' mo^` ho^i nhe` nhe. tu+'a ra. To^i
tu+.a ca'i thang tre va`o tu+o+`ng. 
- Anh ddie^n a`. Anh kho^ng the^? na`o tro^ng tha^'y no' va`o gio+` na`y
dda^u - Vo+. to^i ga`o le^n khi to^i dda(.t cha^n le^n na^'c thang
dda^`u tie^n - DDa~ tre^~ ro^`i, anh le^n la`m gi`. Suo^'t ca? tha'ng
nay anh o+? li` tre^n ddo' chu+a ddu? sao ? 
Na`ng ca`ng lu'c ca`ng gia^.n du+~. Nhu+ng to^i ca('t ngang: 
- Ma(.c ke^. anh. 
Cha^n to^i dda~ cha.m le^n ma'i nha`, to^i bo` cha^`m cha^.m ve^` cho^~
cu?a mi`nh, cha^n to^i gia^~m pha?i mo^.t ca'i gai bo^ng gia^'y kho^,
nho'i le^n. To^i na(`m xuo^'ng, ngu+o+`i duo^~i song song vo+'i nhu+~ng
so'ng to^n, nghie^ng mo^.t go'c hai mu+o+i ba ddo^. ru+o+~i, dda^`u quay
ve^` hu+o+'ng ta^y ta^y ba('c. Lu'c na`y tre^n ba^`u tro+`i phi'a a^'y
chi? la` nhu+~ng dda'm ma^y ba`ng ba.c tro^i tre^n ne^`n dden tha^~m
tro^ng nhu+ nhu+~ng bu.i ca^y. To^i co^' mo+? ma('t lo+'n ho+n, nhi`n
xoa'y va`o ddo'. Du+o+`ng nhu+ chi? co' mo^.t va`i cha^'m sa'ng quen
thuo^.c ddang nha^'p nha'y cu`ng nhau. To^i kho^ng ddi.nh vi. ddu+o+.c
nhu+~ng cho`m sao Androme`de la^~n Perse'e hay Pe'gasse, nhu+ng to^i
luo^n co' mo^.t ca?m gia'c ra^'t tha^.t ra(`ng no' o+? ddo', nhu+ the^?
Perse'e o+? ga^`n Hale - Bopp chu+' kho^ng pha?i ngu+o+.c la.i. Va` cu+'
the^' to^i nhi`n, ho+i la.nh o+? ma'i to^n to?a ra nhe` nhe. lan man
tre^n da thi.t, va` to^i tha^'y ma('t ba('t dda^`u mo?i, mi' ma('t su.p
xuo^'ng. To^i kho^ng muo^'n mi' ma('t su.p xuo^'ng va`o lu'c na`y,
nhu+ng kho^ng the^? cu+o+~ng la.i ddu+o+.c. To^i xuo^i hai tay be^n
ho^ng, to^i ngu?. 
To^i na(`m mo+ tha^'y mi`nh ddi tre^n mo^.t mie^`n dda^'t sa'ng. Mo^~i
bu+o+'c cha^n to^i ddi gia^~m le^n mo^.t thu+' dda^'t sa'ng nhu+ ba.c.
o+? ddo' kho^ng co' nha` ma'y, kho^ng co' nha` o+?, kho^ng co' thu'
va^.t, kho^ng co' ca^y co^'i. Chi? co' mo^.t ma`u duy nha^'t la` ma`u
sa'ng, y nhu+ ma`u cu?a gia^'y ba.c ma` to^i va^~n thu+o+`ng du`ng la`m
thu? co^ng nga`y co`n be'. Lu'c a^'y me. to^i la` co^ gia'o. Me. to^i
da.y ra^'t nhie^`u ddu+'a nho? trong mo^.t ca'i lo+'p nho?, cuo^'i
pho`ng co' mo^.t ca'i tu? nho? chu+'a dda^`y gia^'y la`m thu? co^ng. Co'
gia^'y tro+n, gia^'y tho^, gia^'y bo'ng. To^i thi'ch nhu+~ng to+` gia^'y
bo'ng. Me. cho to^i ra^'t nhie^`u gia^'y bo'ng ddu? ma`u, xanh, ddo?,
ti'm, va`ng nhu+ng to^i chi? thi'ch mo^~i mo^.t ma`u, ma`u ba.c. To^i
thi'ch nga('m nhi`n na('ng loang loa'ng tre^n ma`u ba.c ddo' o'ng a'nh
nhu+ va`ng ro`ng, ma`u la' ca^y tre^n ne^`n ba.c ddo' lo'ng la'nh nhu+
suo^'i, va` ca? ma`u cu?a khuo^n ma(.t to^i ngoa(`n ngoe`o, ngoa(`n
ngoe`o, dden va` na^u. Co`n ba^y gio+`, trong gia^'c mo+, to^i kho^ng
soi khuo^n ma(.t cu?a mi`nh ma` ddi nhu+~ng bu+o+'c cha^n le^n lo+'p
dda^'t ba.c xo^'p mi.n nhu+ ba'nh kem kho^ a^'y, tha^'y mi`nh kho^ng
he^` gia` ddi ma` va^~n nhu+ nga`y tru+o+'c, va^~n la` mo^.t tha(`ng be'
ddang loay hoay ca('t da'n nhu+~ng to+` gia^'y ba.c trong ca'i lo+'p
ho.c nho? va` oi no^`ng cu?a buo^?i tru+a mie^`n Trung, thi?nh thoa?ng
la.i ngo'ng co^? nhi`n ra ngoa`i sa^n na('ng cha't chu'a ma` mo+ ma`ng.
Va` to^i nhi`n ra ngoa`i, ddo+n gia?n nhu+ the^? mo+? cu+?a so^? ma`
nhi`n ra, va` tha^'y qua? dda^'t tha^n thuo^.c cu?a mi`nh ddang cha^`m
cha^.m xoay, xoay quanh mi`nh chu+' kho^ng xoay theo mo^.t ca'i tru.c
nghie^ng co' sa(~n na`o ca?. Mo.i ngu+o+`i ddu+'ng o+? ddo' ngu+o+'c
le^n, ho. nhi`n tha^'y to^i va` he't: "Ve^` mau, ve^` mau !". 
To^i mo+? ma('t ra khi nghe tie^'ng cu+?a nha` be^n khe'p la.i. Khi
cu+?a cu?a mo^~i nha` khe'p la.i thi` ddo' cu~ng la` gio+` kha('c
ddu+o+.c xa'c ddi.nh. Mo^~i ca'nh cu+?a ha(`ng dde^m khi ddo'ng la.i
cu~ng khe'p la.i mo^.t nga`y cho mo^~i ngo^i nha`. Co' nhu+~ng ca'nh
cu+?a khe'p so+'m, co' nhu+~ng ca'nh cu+?a khe'p tre^~, nhu+ng to^i
chu+a bao gio+` tha^'y co' nhu+~ng ca'nh cu+?a na`o kho^ng khe'p suo^'t
dde^m. Tho+`i gian nhu+ mo^.t da?i ba(ng gia^'y da`i ddu+o+.c ga^'p
la.i, tu+`ng chu't mo^.t, tu+`ng chu't mo^.t, nhu+ nhu+~ng ca'nh cu+?a
cu+' la^`n lu+o+.t ha(`ng dde^m ddo'ng la.i, so+'m mai mo+? ra, dde^`u
dda(.n ma~i nhu+ the^' vo+'i cu`ng mo^.t nhi.p ddie^.u, kho^ng ddo^?i,
chi? co' nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i ddo'ng cu+?a la` thay ddo^?i. Nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i
ddo'ng cu+?a luo^n la` ba^.c tru. co^.t trong nha`, pha?i ca^?n tha^.n,
pha?i tra'ch nhie^.m. Khi ho. che^'t ddi se~ co' nhu+~ng the^' he^.
tie^'p theo tru+o+?ng tha`nh ho+n ke^' tu.c co^ng vie^.c ddo', ddo'ng
cu+?a va` mo+? cu+?a. Chi'nh lu'c to^i lan man nhu+ the^' thi` ra^'t
cha^.m ra~i va` ddie^`m ti~nh, Hale - Bopp lo^. da^`n qua nhu+~ng a'ng
ma^y, nho? nha('n va` khie^m to^'n, khie^'n to^i kho^ng the^? hi`nh dung
ra ddu+o+.c ddo' la` mo^.t ke? kho^?ng lo^` vo+'i ca'i dduo^i da`i mo^.t
trie^.u kilo^met. Nhu+ng khi vu+`a mo+'i thoa't ra ha(?n dda'm ma^y,
thi` ca`ng lu'c no' ca`ng sa'ng ho+n, lo^.ng la^~y ho+n so vo+'i nhu+~ng
cho`m sao xung quanh, no' dda~ tha`nh mo^.t ke? kha'c, a^m tha^`m nhu+ng
quye^`n lu+.c, phi kho^ng gian, phi tho+`i gian. 
Hai tay ba'm va`o ma'ng xo^'i, to^i cu'i dda^`u xuo^'ng nha`, the't
le^n: 
- Sao cho^?i ! 
Cha to^i bu+.c do.c: 
- Sao cho^?i ca'i con khi? ! Xuo^'ng mau ! 
Gio.ng o^ng kha`n dda(.c nhu+ mo.i khi, nhu+ng so vo+'i nhu+~ng gi` to^i
nhi`n tha^'y ddu+o+.c thi` kho^ng co' mo^.t ti' quye^`n uy na`o nu+~a.
Va^~n dda^`u chu'c xuo^'ng nha`, to^i la(.p la.i: 
- Sao cho^?i ! 
La^`n na`y thi` mo.i ngu+o+`i bu+o+'c ra ngoa`i, ngu+o+'c nhi`n theo
hu+o+'ng tay to^i chi?, cha(m chu'. To^i tha^'y Hale - Bopp ca`ng lu'c
ca`ng sa'ng ho+n, lo^.ng la^~y ho+n. Mo.i ngu+o+`i ddu+'ng ddo' mo^.t
la't, nhi`n dda(m dda('m va`o ba^`u tro+`i va` cha to^i no'i: 
- Tho^i, va`o ! Cha? tha^'y ca'i me. gi`. 
Vo+. to^i di.u da`ng: 
- Tho^i, xuo^'ng na`o. 
To^i la.nh mi`nh vi` su+. tho+` o+ ddo'. Mo.i ngu+o+`i pha?i ddu+o+.c
tha^'y no'. Mo.i ngu+o+`i kho^ng bie^'t ra(`ng ho. chi? la` mo^.t trong
ha`ng bao nhie^u ti? ti? ngu+o+`i dde^'n ro^`i ddi kho?i tra'i dda^'t
na`y trong ho+n hai nga`n na(m qua ddu+o+.c die^~m phu'c chie^m
ngu+o+~ng no' sao ? To^i vo^.i va`ng ve^` cho^~ cu?a mi`nh, to^i ho^'i
ha? nhi`n theo no'. To^i bie^'t ra(`ng no' ddang cha^`m cha^.m tro^i qua
khoa?ng tro+`i na`y, tru+o+'c ddo^i ma('t tha'n phu.c va` tuye^.t vo.ng
cu?a to^i. Ca'i sao cho^?i a^'y no' bie^'t nhu+ the^', the^' ma` no'
va^~n tro^i ddi. 
Va` the^' la` no' ddi ma^'t tha^.t ro^`i, ma^'t da.ng. To^i cu+' ngo^`i
ma` lu.c ti`m no' he^'t trong dda'm ma^y na`y dde^'n dda'm ma^y kha'c,
nhu+ng vo^ i'ch. Tre^n ba^`u tro+`i lu'c na`y chi? tuye^`n nhu+~ng dda'm
ma^y. Cha(?ng ma^'y cho^'c tro+`i se~ sa'ng, nhu+~ng ca'nh cu+?a o+?
nhu+~ng ngo^i nha` se~ la^`n lu+o+.t mo+? ra, nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i chu? nha`
se~ ca^'t nhu+~ng then ca`i be^n tu+o+`ng, tie^.n tay bo'c mo^.t to+`
li.ch nho?, trong khi Hale - Bopp ddi ca`ng nga`y ca`ng xa, la(.ng le~
mo^.t mi`nh, a^m tha^`m dde^? ro^`i hai nga`n bo^'n tra(m na(m nu+~a
ti`nh co+` no' se~ quay la.i dda^y ngang qua tra'i dda^'t nhu+ ddi ngang
qua ha`ng ti? ti? nhu+~ng ha`nh tinh nho? be' va` vo^ vi. kha'c, ma`
kho^ng he^` bie^'t, kho^ng he^` nho+' no+i a^'y nhu+~ng nga`n na(m
tru+o+'c dda~ tu+`ng co' nhu+~ng ai, co' nhu+~ng te^n tuo^?i gi`, co'
nhu+~ng chu+'c vu. gi`, co' nhu+~ng mu+u toan gi`, hay dda~ tu+`ng co'
lu+u truye^`n nhu+~ng ca^u chuye^.n ke^? na`o kho^ng. Tro+`i se~ sa'ng,
va` mo.i chuye^.n se~ nhu+ the^', nhu+ng ba^y gio+` ha~y co`n to^'i,
to^i ca^`n pha?i ngu?. To^i leo xuo^'ng thang, to^i chui va`o nha`, ro'n
re'n na(`m xuo^'ng, ma('t ngu+o+'c le^n cha.m pha?i ca'i tra^`n nha`
co`n tra('ng sa'ng ma`u vo^i mo+'i. Nga`y mai to^i se~ kho^ng ddu+o+.c
leo le^n ma'i nha` nu+~a. o+? du+o+'i ma'i nha` to^i kho^ng bie^'t la`m
gi` cho he^'t nga`y, nhu+ng du` sao to^i cu~ng dda~ nhi`n tha^'y no'
ro^`i, ca'i sao cho^?i a^'y no' dde.p tha^.t dda^'y, va` tha^.t ti`nh
to^i cha(?ng bie^'t co`n pha?i ddo+.i cho+` ddie^`u gi` ho+n the^'
nu+~a.