This small book brings together three short stories by Hans Fallada, a German writer from the first half of the twentieth century. The stories share a witty sense of humor and a keen eye for ordinary people. Why Do You Wear a Cheap Watch? tells the story of a watchmaker’s son who keeps losing his beautiful watches and finally decides to wear a very cheap one instead. The second story follows the comic chaos between a schoolteacher and the local authorities over how to make motorists stop in their town. The final story portrays a young couple struggling to make ends meet in pre-war Germany. All three stories are charming and funny – a lovely discovery.
“Well, the upshot is that ever since then I’ve worn a two-eighty-five nickel watch, with a one-year guarantee.
I tell everyone perfectly truthfully that my father’s stingy. Or do you think he’s behaved well?
He simply won’t believe that my watch was stolen.
Won’t believe it. Now you say something!”
Contents
Why Do You Wear a Cheap Watch ? / War Monument or Urinal / Fifty Marks and s Merry Christmas
Translated form German
All stories taken from Tales from the Underworld, first published in English in 2014