Irish
Irish
11. The work praises the man.
It’s ready. The spaceship is ready. I have the rocket ready. Believe it or not. I have finished the work. Well, that’s not completely true – we have finished the work. I have achieved my goal. But I wouldn’t have done it without the help you gave me. Let us take a minute to look back at what I have achieved. This was only a mad thought I had a couple of months ago. But, bit by bit, I built this spaceship. I’ll describe it first: this rocket is as slender as a hound. It is well-made. Oh, if you could see the sight opposite me. It is beautiful, beautiful altogether.
I have done a great feat. I am proud of that feat. It really cheers me up to look at this ship and know that it was I who built it. I can travel the universe. I can visit the moon. I can visit other planets in the solar system. I can visit the stars.
Fear made me start this project. I was afraid of global warming. I thought I should flee. I thought this little planet was going to die. I still have that fear. But now I also have another feeling. How would I describe it? I am curious. I am excited. I am impatient. I have all those characteristics at the minute. The curiosity and the fear and the delight are all mixed together. My heart is jumping. My imagination is jumping. Every vein in my body is taut with wonder. Look at what’s in front of you. Look at it. A spaceship. A spaceship which I built with my own two hands.
The work praises the man. This work really praises me. I was stubborn when I was working. I wasn’t defeated by difficulties. I didn’t give in to despair. I worked from dawn to dusk. I worked from day to day, from week to week, from month to month, from season to season. I didn’t lose my courage. The opposite in fact. I increased my courage. I challenged those who criticised me and I achieved my aim in the end. The rocket is ready. The spaceship is ready. I see now what I want to do. It’s time for me to head for the universe. I am not afraid of that journey. I am as brave as Cú Chulainn himself. It’s not long now until this great journey. It’s not long now.
But, first, I must give this spaceship a name. I must give it a suitable name. I was thinking of calling it “The Swallow”. It’s not a bad name. The swallow is a brave bird. A great long journey doesn’t worry the swallow. Yes, it’s not a bad name but it won’t do in this case. I thought of another name, a name from olden times. I will call this spaceship “Clann Lir” (the children of Lir). “Clann Lir” (the children of Lir). It’s a wonderful name. It suits the occasion better than any other name, I think.
It’s not long until I leave now. But of course, I will be in touch with you beforehand. It’s not long until I leave but I’ll let you know beforehand. There are several small details to be sorted first. I will be back tomorrow night. Goodbye!
