Brazilian Hardwood And Steam Mop

seed Honorable Mention

Given the stubborn insistence of several friends to publish, in this your blog, the story that has been awarded an Honorable Mention by the jury of the first contest of literary forum Prosófagos tales, I have been forced to do so.

I leave you with this story, I hope you like it. Enjoy.



The rat


The truth: clarifying, hated and desired. Sometimes arises suddenly and, when it does, the unbeliever makes a believer, the blind man returns and the superb view of prudence.

What I will tell, though amazing, is my truth.

On the way home, after several months of absence, suffered the demise of my ride. My car, companion of many years, ended his life by the side of a lonely road late at night, and near a forest unknown to me.

darkness forced me to find a flashlight. Its light was brief, but before he died, perhaps in solidarity with my old friend showed me the way to a wonderful colonial house, not knowing how I found surrounded by birch, chestnut and a variety of trees pináceos.

I went to her salvation believing my misfortune. As I approached my admiration grew. Oil lamps lit the fabulous porch supported by four columns.

Door, highly polished hardwood, housed two large knockers that embellished. When dry and solemn sound of the metal is said to opening of the entrance. Not a soul came to meet me. Wisely went crying to let me know. No response.

interior, dimly lighted, showed a mansion worthy of a landowner. On the right side could see a wide and elegant staircase. On the left a double doors open wide, housed a library, barely lit by the glow of a fireplace.

- Is there anyone here? Shouted again.

observed near the stairs a little table with a lamp and telephone. I went over and lifting the handset had checked online, and I made the call to my rescue. In a paper because I did not want to be rude, I wrote my apology and my thanks for the phone usage.

I thought the lamp would serve to enlighten the way back. Fan the flame and to address the exit, I saw a large frame on a wall. As I approached I raised the lamp. A huge furry rat staring at me. The light made her eyes shine so creepy. He opened his mouth, and prey of fear ran regardless leaving the house doors open.

I ran and ran until my lungs need a good breath of air, made me stop. Then I saw that I was rat infested. I looked where I was and discovered I had lost. Taking as reference the house, which had dropped precipitously, I was guided best directed to where they thought it was my late transport.

could not get the horrible head of the rat image staring into his eyes, menacing, ready to pounce on me. With the hair bristling at the memory continued walking until I saw my car. When there were about two meters to reach the glass I could see the huge windshield rat. I was paralyzed. Horrified, I dropped the lamp, the rush to the ground, poured the liquid inside. In a few seconds a fire broke out around me.

Fire raised its tentacles and I could see it clearly. Its long, pointed snout showing long teeth. The nails of his claws, sharp, were ready to tear the flesh of their prey. His eyes were flooded with blood. His mouth was sliding a weak thread of saliva, viscose, took to fall. The fear made me take a deep breath smoke and fainted.

When I awoke I could scarcely distinguish any figure because the bandages that covered my face. I tried to take the hands to the face but the sweet voice of a nurse, and the pain of burns, made me give up. I was informed that I was going to remove head bands.
With great excitement, trying to hide, I was noticing how unrolled, without haste, the thin fabric. When there was hardly a return I tried to open the eyes, but I repressed. The doctor told me to open them slowly.

"Lots of darkness," I said.

"Do not worry, we left the dark room. Do you see this light?

The flashlight pen I was looking for one eye and then the other.

"Yes, I see.

"Well," said the doctor, we will light a lamp to illuminate the back of the room where There is a chair, can you tell me what color is it?

A very soft light illuminated the wall that was in front, and she supported, indeed, a chair.

-Black is black.

In the joy expressed by the nurse turned her head smiling. When suddenly everything turned black and lost consciousness.

When I regained consciousness I saw that I was in a white room, illuminated by the sun coming through a window, and saw the black chair. I noticed that was covered in bandages all over his body, including my hands. In the table that was next was a small mirror. With great effort I managed to grab it and place it on my chest. Afraid to discover horrible scars on my face was slowly lifting.

A piercing scream came from my throat, flooding the whole floor of the hospital. I could not breathe, my deep breathing accompanying the pounding of my heart, accelerated, struggled to escape. My chest heaved, my vision blurred, and immediately felt a great peace as I had never imagined.

In the distance I could hear the doctor and the nurse say

-Time of death ten-thirty.

- Poor rat! Pity.

"Yes, ma'am," said the doctor weasel Panda-pity.

Truth. Clarifier. Sometimes arises suddenly and, as we are showing robs us of what we really want.