La Stampa - Consultazione Archivio

Fable ON THE CONTRARY Fable Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow agreed to meet to discuss the progress of Europe. It was very difficili! to arrange: Yesterday usually had urgent business elsewhere; Today was always dashing off in a hurry; and Tomorrow tended to turn up late. But finally they managed it—by stopping the clock. «Well. I dont't know », said Yesterday: « it seems to me that we did very well. We started with the dullest things imaginuble—coal and steel. We survived the defeat of the European Army. We relaunched Europe at Messina with the Common Market and Euralom. We outlived General de Gaulle. And we got the British, Danes, and Irish in». « Quite righi », said Today gloomily. « But you had an easy job. People remembered the War; they were afraid of further confliet; and the economy was booming. Besides, ali you really did was set up a customs union ». « It was harder tinnì you think », snapped Yesterday. « And at least we were realistic. We didn't go round ranting about direct elections to the European Parliament, economie and monetary union, and bringing in three more new member states. The trouble with you is that you're hopelessly overambitious ». «Nonsense» shouted Today; « we're—». But Tomorrow interrupted both of them. « Quiet, you two », he said sternly. « /' ve got other things on my mind. A meeting of the European Cabinet, then the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then the European Federai Reserve, and then a meeting to discuss this new World Resources Community. Forgive me if I run». When he started the clock again, it began to chime eleven. Pangloss