Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 45 / 我的戀愛超人 45
"You see? This is the MASTERPIECE I am most proud of. As a French citizen, I can't say there is something better than this. What a piece of art!" Loveman exclaimed with admiration for the classic Mona Lisa.
"Really? I mean no offense, but I think you have the same painting hung on the wall in your apartment..." Pipi scratched her head puzzled.
"You mean, THAT ONE?" Loveman yelled out of a sudden.
"Yeah?" Pipi was caught off guard and quite surprised by him.
"My holy Napoleon...This is the original and we have nothing but a copy! Do you or do you not understand the difference between the two?" Loveman thought he had shown the pearls to someone who didn't understand their value.
「妳看!她的美貌多麼傾國傾城啊!」「咦,我在哪好像看過一模一樣的畫?那不是在你家嗎?為何麼你還要千里迢迢地跑來看她?我們有必要為區區蒙娜夜闖羅浮宮嗎?」
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 44 / 我的戀愛超人 44
For Loveman, it was the last thing in the world to hear his mother country and culture criticized or insulted. He was determined to show to Pipi how France excels in culture, history, art, love, wine, or anything imaginable.
"This is a must-see sight. To impress you, I think it's better for us to come at night because there are way too many tourists in the daytime. But promise me, we have to be really cautious so that the guards won't get us."
"OK, when necessary, I can fight for myself." Pipi was rather excited about this crazy project.
"No no no, let's not waste time. I am sure your martial arts can be saved for a more appropriate occasion. Let's run!"
Pipi had NO idea what they were about to see in this pyramid-shaped building called the Louvre. But everything started to be fun...
「小艾,羅浮宮這個景點是非來不可喔,裡面可是有了不起的寶藏!不過,不要再擺pose了,我們快走吧!」
Monday, November 28, 2005
神秘的單身女郎 3
第五、保持行跡縹緲:其實大家都沒有想到,我下班後最常去的地方就是我可愛的家,不過如果被其他人識破,我的神秘面紗不就這麼毀了嗎?因此就算家裡的電話響了半邊天,我得按捺住性子,一接起電話,MY我就完完全全地破功了。為了保持我和這世界的美麗距離,就是在家也要勤使用手機,有時還得裝腔作勢一番,「喂!喂!我聽不清楚耶!不好意思,我現在不在市中心。」事實上,我可能正在享受我的玫瑰泡澡‧‧‧
或許搞神秘是許多人一輩子也學不來的,但是神秘女郎的因子就流在我的血液中,那是我的本能,我的生活方式。唉,如果你生活的唯一娛樂就是想看透我,我也只好接受身為神秘女郎的代價了,就像狗仔對於明星的生活有無限的好奇‧‧‧
「單身的神秘女郎」刊載今日結束,本文謹獻給我最愛的,且一點也不神秘的MY。
Sunday, November 27, 2005
神秘的單身女郎 2
第三、後舞台要隨時帶在身邊:我在一天不同的時段當中常以變化的造型出現,身為史上最神秘的女郎,一定得作最萬全的準備。我的外表光鮮亮麗,但其實我的後舞台就在另一面,不然你以為我哪藏得下那麼多秘密?辦公桌底下就是我的基地,高跟鞋、便鞋、涼鞋、拖鞋、甚至是登台的服裝,一應俱全,只要給我十分鐘,我馬上以另一種風情的打扮出現。不過請你留給我一點隱私,不要造訪我的小倉庫OK?
待續‧‧‧
Saturday, November 26, 2005
神秘的單身女郎 1
第一、365天中的任何一天都可以是生日天:小時候因家人未準時報戶口,我的文件出身日期和實際出身日期並不相同,後來朋友也被搞得糊里糊塗,於是我開放所有日期,大家可以選擇一年之中的任何日子為我慶生,因為如此,眾人對那傳說中的生日便充滿了幻想,其實我只是想多收點生日禮物,不要想太多囉!
待續‧‧‧
Friday, November 25, 2005
黃金柚子夢
Thursday, November 24, 2005
愛你愛我,我們愛這條寄生蟲!
Oh My Loveman! 43 / 我的戀愛超人 43
"Wowwwwwwwww....I have ver...ti...go!" She was so scared by the height that she couldn't stand still. Down she fell...
「好啦,快看!」「什麼,我們居然在高─空─中!我要‧‧‧」
"Hum, Eiffel Tower is quite cool..." "I wonder if Pipi got to see how spectacular it is." The two yellow birds murmured.
「摔‧‧‧」
They fell into the Seine River. The water was cold and kinda smelly. Pipi gave Loveman a hard look. "So, this is the beautiful France huh?" He gave her a silent reply with his innocent-looking eyes...
「下‧‧‧去啦‧‧‧」
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 42 / 我的戀愛超人 42
Loveman planned to give Pipi a huge surprise. He wanted her to close her eyes. He was so sure that she would be stunned by the breath-taking scenery.
"Loveman! Is everything ready? My legs really ache..." Pipi complained. She also felt the hard-blowing winds though she didn't have any clue where she was.
"In a second my dear. No matter what happens, don't let go of my hands ok?"
「握好喔!小艾,等我說張開眼睛時,妳就會看到全世界最棒的景色!」
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 41 / 我的戀愛超人 41
At that moment of despair, Loveman came to Pipi's aid.
"Oh my sweetheart, wipe away your sad tears! This place is much more lovely than you think. Come, let's take a tour and I'll prove to you that my words are 100% true!"
Thus they embarked on a journey that'd change their lives forever...
「小艾,不是這樣的,讓我帶妳去開開眼界,你會發現這是個很美麗的地方,擦乾眼淚,我們要出發囉!」
Monday, November 21, 2005
Small giant
一年復一年,外婆的身軀縮地越來越小,站在編號第十號的孫子旁分明就是個哈比人,當她驚訝於孩童的生長速度時,我則訝於她身上八十年的回憶。
We just celebrated my grandma's 80th birthday. Every time I see her, she seems to shrink some more. The sight always makes my heart jerk out of nostalgia for her youth. Meanwhile, I am amazed at how 80 years of memories can be stored in such a little body. Grandma is illiterate. Taiwanese is the only language she speaks. She gave birth to five daughters, which was considered really awful achievement for a woman in her times. On the other hand, she spent almost all her life with someone she hated. She suffered the loss of her son. She manages to survive in the company of her maid at the age of 80. I am bigger than Granny, I travel around the world, I speak more than four languages, but when I stand next to her, I am pathetically simple.
As Grandma becomes more and more tiny, she witnesses the incredible growth her grandchildren. While she is surprised at the speedy change of young people, Grandmama's small body and giant soul never fail to move me.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
俏媽咪
西元2005年11月16日下午3點40分
踏入家門的前一刻,有個熟悉的身影捉住我的目光,咦?那不是我媽嗎?媽媽身著家居服,小小個,一身粉紅,很神奇地,當時我眼裡看不到其他人,因為媽媽一副走路有風、抬頭挺胸的樣子,讓其他人相形失色,顯得非常地無精打采,這時候我的腦裡出現一幅畫面,我的媽以粉紅的身影,在一片灰濛濛的背景裡,好像全世界只看到她。
即使我的意識都已經決定好畫面的樣子了,在下筆執行的時候,我又萌生了新的念頭,把媽媽畫成穿華服的貴婦,在一群以舒適家居為原則的人群中,特別地顯眼。不過我得說,我媽有勁的樣子是那些穿名牌畫大妝的社交名媛遠遠不及的。
後記:
為了取景,我在事發後的幾天後躲在郵局前方的草叢裡拍取建築物和經過的人群,當天為週六早上,來來往往的不乏從菜市場返回的主婦,可能睡眠不足,個個面容憔悴,我的媽啊,妳真是了不起!時時刻刻都充滿活力!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Free
When I take the metro to go to work, I prefer to think of it as taking an adventurous trip. The destination is unknown yet, but it can be New York, Paris. Or I might be on my way to a lovely appointment with friends in an afternoon-tea cafe. Someone might be waiting for me at the end of the trip with a teddy bear, a bunch of red roses, a card with "I Love You" on it and most of all, a big kiss! It might be an outing for sketches of beautiful scenery. Or I might wander to the forest for a relaxing walk. The ride might be so long that by the time I arrive, a sky of glittering stars warmly welcome me.
Only my imagination can set me free...
Friday, November 18, 2005
公主的閣樓
最近我常想著洛杉磯的陽光和海灘,但我從來沒好好探索過天使之城,所以沒有機會真正地愛上它,我心裡沒有任何深刻的圖像可以讓我很有感情地為妳畫一張明信片。
就在為此苦惱的當兒,我信步走到妳家們前,早上十點,巷子裡安安靜靜地,所有的喧嘩都被趕著上班的人帶走。7-11前面賣甘蔗的阿伯嘴裡吸著煙,賣命地削甘蔗皮,不發一語;小公園裡有對磨蹭的情侶,幸福但不囂張,日暮里的大門還沒拉開,前面的大路偶有車輛經過,卻完全不威脅到平靜的氣氛。不知道妳的新城市是否也有如此內斂的一面。
我站在公寓前,想從外面探個究竟,結果只看到十一月了還鮮嫩到不行的綠葉,隨著風晃啊晃地,妳的家聳入一片綠葉織成的雲霄,我對自己說:「那是公主的閣樓‧‧‧」
就算妳要進行一趟很久很久的流浪,妳的閣樓會默默地等著妳,我也是。
植物園的約會
蟬聲清脆 響在耳裡
我的心悶悶地
我想著快要融化的冰淇淋
傍晚五點的喬琪姑娘
畫紙卻還是一片空白
爸爸說:
畫池裡的荷花吧
荷葉被風一吹啊
像正飛舞的蝴蝶
有黃有綠的多美
我看著爸爸的臉
蝴蝶從池塘邊
飛進他亮亮的眼
色筆在我的紙上
揮畫出荷花盪漾
這是爸爸和我的植物園
Thursday, November 17, 2005
十分鐘的散步
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
最後的羅城
我想要在你離開之前,以曾經居住過羅城,卻又已回到故鄉定居多年的心情,對於此地的喜惡沉澱之後,告訴你這幾年來我對羅城的想法。的確,初離開羅徹斯特時有種解放的感覺,當時的我刻意選擇了自我壓抑的生活方式,導致後期我看四月的春雪不順眼,並且立誓這輩子不再過著留學生的悲慘生活,我急於逃脫那樣壓力籠罩的日子,所以在剛離開之際,我暗暗地希望你也能早日得到救贖,儘管你總是說研究開花結果的日子遙遙無期。
一年又一年過去,在離開的一兩年之後,想到羅城,我有種淡淡的惆悵,離開美國國土,開始安定甚至一成不變的生活,我似乎作了和體內冒險因子完全背道而馳的決定,不確定自己是不是還要冒險,我害怕被困住,但是我從未因此想念羅城,我想到還在城裡生活的朋友,深切地感受到,那是一段回不去的時光,有著和現在生活截然不同的體驗,我想念的是那種刺激和未知,但是我不眷戀羅城。
好像是在離開的第二年快要結束之際,那是梅雨季來臨之前的四五月,我開始感受到內心蠢蠢欲動,卻又被現實生活弄得很苦悶,不知不覺地,我想到羅城的生活,當初的心情起落,我居然那麼思念著,翻閱著過去的札記和速寫,我不禁懷疑,那樣戲劇化的人生已成為歷史,我過著沒有任何高低起伏的生活,很平靜,但有時卻靜地嚇人,連我如此習慣無聲都渴望有些故事和喧鬧,因此,緬懷羅城自此成為梅雨季之前的儀式,究竟是要懷念些什麼呢?年輕、不確定性、寂寞、勇氣、甚至是任何無以名之的情感。
所以今天我並不只是為了歡送你脫離羅城,紀錄下某些我魂縈夢牽的畫面,是為了不再躲在過去的回憶裡,我會永遠記住這些美麗的影像,但是我要用新的眼光看過去和將來,如果我只是用懷舊的眼看羅城的生活,我不免把當時的煎熬浪漫化,我完完全全地明白羅城的日子並非那般瑰麗。在好幾季的緬懷之後,我想,如果再有機會過羅城的生活,我不會被動地抱怨,我會想盡辦法,用我可以接受的方式,開創新境界,而現在,也該是我們還給羅城清白的時候了。
紫丁香季
羅城的春天來得遲,炎熱的炙陽已進駐台灣島的五月,羅城才緩緩地醒來。我對陽明山花季早已視而不見,來到這個北國的小城市,居然打從心裡想念萬花齊放的景象。我們彼此先後去賞花,都想到彼此,卻是和不同的友伴,那也無所謂,至今我還是忘不了,那個仍稍有寒意的五月天,天空時晴時陰,我陷入花叢,低靡的心情因而為之一振。也許在你離開羅城的多年以後,還是會牢牢地記住紫丁香季絕美的景象。
安大略湖畔
羅城的夏天很短暫,熱到令人想大口大口舔冰淇淋的日子少得用手指頭都數得出來,不過為了自我安慰,我們不停地吃冰,尤其是拜訪安大略湖畔時,必有光臨Abbot’s的行程。甜蜜的滋味溶在嘴裡,在淡淡的夕陽下,伴著輕輕的夏風,我們暫時忘了生活的壓力。為什麼我們總是抱怨著有關羅城的一切呢?安大略湖一定常常哭泣,我們其實知道它的美,只是,我們更想念家鄉,我們的身體渴望回到動不動就流汗的小島,我們的味蕾不能只滿足於Abbot’s,我們的心牽掛著家人朋友‧‧‧
遠離安大略湖多年,我終於能夠清楚地看到它的美好。
不知名州立公園
在多年之後,我突然發現那次的出遊,你其實帶著沉重悲傷的心,我太忙於作夢,無法感受出你的難過。七月樹木的葉子一片綠油油的,空氣如往常般,有一點冷冽,雖然你的話說得稀鬆平常,表面下的你還悼念著過去,卻又得割捨存在多年的情緒。如今要離開了,把一切想放下的人事物都葬在Rochester的墓園裡,生活有無數的結束,也有數不清的開始。
你對羅城的回憶要比我多上幾百倍,也許多年之後驀然回首時,你會對自己說,很高興有機會在羅城度過生命裡很精華的一段時間,至少現在的我如此相信著。
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 40 / 我的戀愛超人 40
Oh, it was Pipi that couldn't bear the sight and the thought of the poor rabbit. She couldn't stop crying for the little animal. Even when she almost cried her eyes out, she still couldn't stop.
"Who said that this is a country of love? If that was true, people wouldn't be eating away rabbits so happily without feeling guilty at all..." Pipi started to picture an extremely gloomy and dark life in this very strange place...
「我不要吃兔肉!這個國家好野蠻,人們都沒有愛心,連小動物都吃,什麼鬼地方嘛!嗚嗚嗚!」
Monday, November 14, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 39 / 我的戀愛超人 39
Loveman flew around without being able to get into his house. He cried for help but no one heard him.
"Hey, get me in! Mom! Pipi!" He yelled at the top of his lungs to no avail.
Meanwhile, Aunt Annick had come up with a lovely feast for their special guest.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today's special is rabbit meat!" The pink little rabbit sat sadly on the huge plate while Annick was too carried away by her self-satisfaction in cooking such luscious food to notice the poor little animal. Yet, right before the meal, a harsh scream was heard somewhere not faraway...
「孩子們,吃飯囉!折騰一天了,不來頓大餐怎麼行呢?吃點兔肉來補補吧!」「阿娘,等等我,我還在外頭呢!」「啊!!!」
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 38 / 我的戀愛超人 38
Well, everything was perfect, except that Loveman didn't have any clue how to land. He didn't have any manual book which told him about his magical power. He kept flying and when passing by his apartment, he could only greet Annick and Pipi.
"Hello...Can anyone help me..." He murmured with a big silly smile on his face.
「不過,我怎麼停不下來呢?新手上路,多多包涵啦!」
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 37 / 我的戀愛超人 37
As he floated in the air, something really incredible came over to Poopooman. He was actually FLYING! He wondered at the power that love had given him.
"Even as Poopooman, I didn't possess any magic like this! It feels as if all the cells in me have finally come to life!"
It dawned on him that he was no longer Poopooman. It was love that empowered him, so from now on, he would be Loveman!
"How beautiful the world is..." Loveman couldn't but look at everything with a rosy state of mind.
「咦!我怎麼飛起來了?以前當大便超人的時候也沒有這種超能力,啊,一定是愛的力量,也許我應該當戀愛超人!」
Friday, November 11, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 36 / 我的戀愛超人 36
In fact, at this moment, Poopooman had FALLEN deeply in love with Pipi. But he didn't really fall. He floated into the air and up to the nine clouds. He was helplessly attracted by the feminine-looking Pipi.
"Oh...I can't help myself anymore. How wonderful it is to be in love..." He behaved as if he were totally drunk.
阿迪不禁又陷入一陣幻想。「你好,我叫小艾,請多指教。」「我一輩子從沒見過這麼討人喜歡的女孩,喔,我好像陷入愛河了,不,我已無法自拔‧‧‧」
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 35 / 我的戀愛超人 35
Pipi didn't have any choice but to put on the "ragged" clothes given by Aunt Annick. When she walked out of the bathroom, she prayed to God not to be seen by anyone. She thought the kithen might be a perfect place to hide, but unfortunately, the son and the mother were right there waiting for her, with a pair of lovely shoes on the table to complete her new look.
"Oh...You...are both here?" Pipi said in a surprised and embarrassed voice.
"Isn't she gorgeous my son..." Annick was all amazed and she secretly complimented herself on her excellent taste.
"Hum..." Poopooman had difficulty uttering any other word. Yet his eyes lingered on the new Pipi. He didn't realize that his feet were no longer on the floor...
小艾勉為其難地走出浴室,心中祈禱不會撞見任何人,想不到‧‧‧「我的天啊!兒子你看!好迷人的女生喔!」「是,是啊!」
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 34 / 我的戀愛超人 34
After the shower, Pipi stared at the skimpy clothes Annick had given to her. Since she had never worn something like that in her entire life, she was so stunned as if her eyes would fall out any minute.
"Oh My God! This is nothing but a piece of ragged cloth! OHHHHHH! What am I going to do!" She yelled in confusion and with dissatisfaction.
「這破布怎麼穿啊!什麼都遮不了,總不能衣不蔽體地走出去吧!」
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 33 / 我的戀愛超人 33
Pipi made so loud noise that it pierced through the walls and reached Poopooman at the other end of the apartment.
"THE WATER IS COLD!" Poopoomen was quite helpless with the wild Pipi. He could only tell himself that God meant to keep him among people as a way to love the world.
"OK, come what may Lord...It'll be thou that assign me the tasks to improve my character and make the world a better place."
「水是冷的!」小艾囂張的嘶吼穿透重重牆壁,連在幾個房間以外的阿迪都領教到她驚人的肺活量。「這傢伙怎麼會這樣呢?唉!只能說,天將降大任於私人也,必先苦其心志,勞其筋骨啊!」
Monday, November 07, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 32 / 我的戀愛超人 32
Miss Pipi was good at making a mountain out of a molehill. She didn't have any idea that in this country there could be a system that decided the daily amount of hot water based on the number of the family members. Unfortunately, even Poopooman and Annick had forgotten it too. When the cold water flew through her delicate and sensitive skin, she couldn't help screaming out aloud for all the world to know her suffering.
"Damned it! THE WATER IS COOOOOOOOOOOLD!"
「這是什麼鬼地方啊!洗澡水居然是冷的!!!」
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Night
Chichi lost the balloon that had accompanied her during her trip in France. It was given to her by her best friend Miragee as a travel companion. During moments of loneliness, Chichi would think of Miragee as if she were really there for her. Chichi was more anxious and worried than ever when she lost the balloon in a wild chase with the geese in Dijon. She thus started a crazy search all over the country. When she got to the hilltop in Lyon, it was already late at night. A proud-looking yet kind-hearted conductor showed her the map and analyzed to her the possible whereabouts of the balloon.
They never knew that the balloon was smiling at them right in the sky, like the very naughty moon...
Friday, November 04, 2005
第一次
這一趟拜訪還有一切的一切都要歸因於娜娜〈友人之花名〉,所以早在我到達之前,她已經熱情地詢問我巴士的行程,並且有效率地接送。因為是第一次到園區,看到周圍的景物建築和花花草草都興奮異常,出國也不過就如此,全都是新鮮感作祟。
踏入耳聞的高科技公司時,我的雙眼雙耳都打開了,深怕會錯過身邊的任何小細節,其實這只是另一個忙碌的工作場所,我卻像闖進秘密花園的小童,內心感受到偷窺的快感,卻有無任何的罪惡感,我知道,我是個很容易興奮的怪胎。
上述的都是次要的細節,我最享受和最恐懼的時刻,就是乘坐娜娜的小綿羊,雖然她比我嬌小,騎摩托車也是這一兩年的事,我們終於從依賴公車的不自由姊妹花晉身為有車一族,在黑夜裡徜徉於不算寬敞的馬路上,有時候我可以感受到娜娜的害怕,摩托車沒來由地就會向上震動一下,那一刻我想到明天是否能如往常一樣上班去,但此時我的良性又提醒我不要對我的摯友如此懷疑,就在我的掙扎之中,我的小旅行就這麼結束,我又得搭乘來回新竹台北的客運,沿路一邊觀察揣摩通勤族的心酸血淚,美好的時光總是飛逝而過。
我對新竹有很特別的感受,來回的過程中,我想到結婚前很努力地通車,只為了去看男朋友的文琪,現在我終於知道她的愛有多強烈;我看到很認真工作的娜娜,在台北以外的城市過不同的生活;還有在新竹展開大學生活的Sakura,雖然日日夜夜趕著報告,但看到清大夜市賣的超大炸雞排和各式各樣可口的食物,我想Sakura在這個樸素的城市至少不會因饑餓而枯萎;還有好多和我沒有聯絡的年輕女孩都住在這裡,不曉得她們過得如何,希望有我造訪新竹十分之一的期待。
對於他人,新竹充斥著寂寞的男性工程師,對我而言,這個城市有著很多認真美麗的女性。
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 31 / 我的戀愛超人 31
Auntie Annick prompted Pipi to take a shower first. She prepared some very "special" clothes for the lost child.
"Heehee...I am sure that my plan will work out and she'll definitely SURPRISE my dear son..." Even Mona Lisa smiled as if she understood perfectly Annick's perfect plan.
「小朋友,妳先梳洗吧!我把衣服放在外面喔!」「嘻嘻!信不信我可以把她從頭到腳重新改造,等著看我精心的設計吧!」
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Oh My Loveman! 30 / 我的戀愛超人 30
After they stepped into Auntie Annick's apartment, she immediately drew Poopooman aside.
"My son, imagine the beautiful future you will have with the girl! Isn't it lovely?" He shrugged in resignation as a silent reponse to his mom's exuberant imagination.
In the meanwhile, Pipi had no idea at all of their conversation. She was exhausted from the journey and quite at a loss due to the sudden change in her life.
「媽!我想,就妳照顧這個女孩吧!我要上路,事不宜遲!」「傻瓜!你不用出家啦,想想,你留在這裡,會有多麼美好的未來啊!」
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Heart Travel Agency I- Narnia
Lately I've had problems sticking to the same style. My free spirit is too wild to be in control. I seek for inspirations from friends, books and all the sources imaginable. Maybe this is a phase in which I would like to experiment different media and styles. So I plan to start a new series called "Heart Travel Agency." I haven't tried seriously illustrating for others' stories and books for a long time. From now on, if I am particularly impressed by what I read, I'll make an attempt to do the illustration and I hope the pictures can take me and my viewers to new places they've never been to mentally and physically.
I read the beginning chapter of The Chronicles of Narnia-the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe yesterday. I am not too much into C. S. Lewis' writing, but the interesting story held my attention even during my drowsy ride to work. Then I came upon the description of the scenery inside the wardrobe. I felt the need to put down the image on paper. So here it is. I'd like to quote the passage as well.
Next moment she found that what was rubbing against her face and hands was no longer soft fur but something hard and rough and even prickly. "Why, it is just like branches of trees!" exclaimed Lucy. And then she saw that there was a light ahead of her; not a few inches away where the back of the wardrobe ought to have been, but a long way off. Something cold and soft was falling on her. A moment later she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at night-time with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air.