Сто лет одиночества

           Timeputthingsintheirplace.JoseArcadioBuendfaandhissondidnotknowexactlywhentheyreturnedtothelaboratory,dustingthings,lightingthewaterpipe,involvedoncemoreinthepatientmanipulationofthematerialthathadbeensleepingforseveralmonthsinitsbedofmanure.EvenAmaranta,lyinginawickerbasket,observedwithcuriositytheabsorbingworkofherfatherandherbrotherinthesmallroomwheretheairwasrarefiedbymercuryvapors.

           Onacertainoccasion,monthsafterOrsula’sdeparture,strangethingsbegantohappen.Anemptyflaskthathadbeenforgotteninacupboardforalongtimebecamesoheavythatitcouldnotbemoved.Apanofwaterontheworktableboiledwithoutanyfireunderitforahalfhouruntilitcompletelyevaporated.JoseArcadioBuendfaandhissonobservedthosephenomenawithstartledexcitement,unabletoexplainthembutinterpretingthemaspredictionsofthematerial.OnedayAmaranta’sbasketbegantomovebyitselfandmadeacompleteturnabouttheroom,totheconsternationofAuerliano,whohurriedtostopit.Buthisfatherdidnotgetupset.Heputthebasketinitsplaceandtiedittothelegofatable,convincedthatthelong-awaitedeventwasimminent.ItwasonthatoccasionthatAuerlianoheardhimsay:"Ifyoudon’tfearGod,fearhimthroughthemetals.Suddenly,almostfivemonthsafterherdisappearance,Orsulacameback.Shearrivedexalted,rejuvenated,withnewclothesinastylethatwasunknowninthevillage.JoseArcadioBuendfacouldbarelystandupundertheimpact."Thatwasit!"heshouted."Iknewitwasgoingtohappen."Andhereallybelievedit,forduringhisprolongedimprisonmentashemanipulatedthematerial,hebeggedinthedepthofhisheartthatthelonged-formiracleshouldnotbethediscoveryofthephilosopher’sstone,orthefreeingofthebreaththatmakesmetalslive,orthefacultytoconvertthehingesandthelocksofthehouseintogold,butwhathadjusthappened:Orsula’sreturn.