our third Valentine / 第三個情人節

LOVE by Weichuen You

Why do swans have sweet love?

Why do polar bears have warm love?

Mama, why am I ALL alone? It's not unfair!

Mama says, "You are loved by all the world! Love comes in so many forms. Pay attention!"

"Mama's love is like an elephant. She lifts you up with a firm foothold. "

"And she makes you swing in the air!"

"Daddy is a hippo. He takes great care of you."

"More, he dreams with you in the water."

"Grandpa is a fierce lion. He protects you, adores you without spoiling you."

"Grandma loves you in the way a hen loves her chicks. You are always the first thing in her mind."

"The aunties are passionate scorpios. When they are around you, no meanie dare come near."

"Big sis follows you. She is your faithful friend."

Wow, so many people love me!

Maybe a little too much!

"Just give it back!"

How do I love? Like the happy bird that takes everyone on a flight?

Or like the naughty cat that amuses everyone?

Or like the tame rabbit that pleases everyone?

Or can I love like the furry sheep that warms everyone?

Mama says, "As long as you are sincere, the world will get to feel your love!"

自從上個學期，我整個人變得很神經質，本來工作都是到最後一刻才會完成的，現在居然在數個星期前就準備好，想不到我連情人節也要提前數周慶祝？其實是上週帶去南投的MUJI素描本被我原封不動帶回來，看到空白的紙，我心裡有些過意不去，就拿來替小方寫個故事吧。我家的小子轉眼間已經兩歲半，遲早有一天，他會問我們有關愛的問題，我想不出來比圖畫書更棒的回答方式。

Since last semester, I have become quite neurotic. I used to be the kind of person that didn't have work finished until the last minute. Now I've totally transformed into a total stranger who makes preparation weeks ahead of the due date. I am even going to extend this "good" habit to the celebration of Valentine's Day? The truth is, the MUJI sketchbook I took with me to Nanto, central Taiwan, last week remained blank even after the trip. I felt sorta guilty on seeing the boundless white, so I might as well write a story for Von. The apple of our eye is 2 and half years old. Sooner or later, he'll pose questions about love. I can't figure out a better form of answers than picture books.

感謝筆友Caterina的信封，本來只是無意間翻閱去年一整年的信件，突然發現她的信封顏色、字跡和郵票可以創造出不錯的視覺效果。如果把這本小書的素材所花費的飛行里程數加起來，是來回韓國、日本和單程義大利飛台灣的機票錢，想來挺驚人的！

I'd like to thank my pal Caterina for her envelopes. I was just thumbing through the mail I had received last year, and it suddenly occurred to me the color of her envelopes, her handwriting and stamps might create an impressive visual effect. If I count the mileage of getting the materials for making this little book, it'll be round trips from Taiwan to Korea, from Taiwan to Japan and a single trip from Italy to Taiwan. Isn't it amazing...