friedenfunkel

Werner Herzog:

My earliest memory is of absolute bliss. I was probably no more than three years old. I was sitting in a meadow, surrounded by flowers, and I was filled with a sense of joy and contentment that I can barely put into words. It was like all of the happiness in the world was concentrated in that one moment.

I don't know how long I sat there, but eventually I started to feel hungry. I got up and walked towards a nearby forest, where I knew there were some berries I could eat. But as I entered the forest, the bliss I had been feeling turned to terror. The trees seemed to close in around me, and the darkness was oppressive. I was sure that something was going to jump out and kill me.

I don't know how long I was in that forest, but it felt like an eternity. I was cold, hungry, and terrified. Finally, I came upon a small clearing, and in the center of it was a small cabin. I ran to the cabin and pounded on the door, begging to be let in.

The door opened, and I was met by the most hideous creature I had ever seen. It was a gnome, or so I thought at first. But then I realized that it was just a very old man, with a long beard and a pointy hat.

The old man looked at me with kind eyes, and he invited me into his cabin. He fed me some bread and soup, and he let me warm myself by the fire. I asked him what the forest was, and he told me it was the place where people went when they died.

I was so scared that I started to cry, and the old man comforted me. He told me that there was nothing to be afraid of, and that I would never die. I didn't believe him, but his words gave me some comfort.

Eventually, I fell asleep by the fire, and when I woke up, the old man was gone. I never saw him again, but I always remember his words: "There is nothing to be afraid of, and you will never die."

I don't know if that experience was real, or if I just dreamt it. But it has stayed with me my whole life, and it is the reason I am not afraid of death.