Page 264 - Eng & Span for flipbook 2

Story 198

At Nine

When I was nine, living on the river Rhine, the whole world was mine.

In the morning I'd arise feeling fine, usually to sunshine, filtering

through poplar and pine. Then outside I'd go to pick grapes from the

vine, for which Dad always gave me a sip of wine.

Often, I'd grab my fishing line, or simply a ball of twine, and with

my sister sweet Adeline, fish the salty brine.

Now fish was fine, but we preferred to dine on swine, bovine, or

porcupine. In any case, Dad always drank his moonshine, in his Alpine

stein.