– THE WRONG TURNING –

Moomintroll moved forwards in amazement. There was no doubt about it, the Groke was pleased to see him. She didn’t mind about the hurricane lamp. She was delighted that he had come to meet her.

He stood quite still until she had finished her dance. Then he watched her shuffle off down the beach and disappear. He went and felt the sand where she had stood. It wasn’t frozen hard at all, but felt the same as it always did. He listened carefully, but all he could hear was the breakers. It was as if the island had suddenly fallen asleep.

He went back home. The others were already in bed, and there were only a few glowing embers in the stove. He crept into bed and curled up.

‘What did she say?’ asked Little My. ‘She was pleased,’ Moomintroll whispered back. ‘She didn’t notice any difference.’

From Moominpappa at Sea, 1965, translated by Kingsley Hart, 1950

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