
Note: The tonic system has been changed from polytonic to monotonic. The spelling of the book has not been changed otherwise. Bold words are included in &.
A quiet, bittersweet tale unfolds in the heart of Athens, where the mundane rhythms of daily life echo larger currents of longing and loss. The narrator reflects on how fleeting joy is, a fragile smile that hides a deeper ache, and invites listeners to contemplate the gentle sorrow that colors every ordinary moment.
At its core is a woman bound to endless chores—climbing narrow stone steps, washing dishes under a stubborn faucet, and tending to a trembling, unblossomed almond branch that seems to mirror her own frailty. Her marriage to a much younger man adds a sharp edge to her yearning: his fresh vigor and tender looks stir both desire and jealousy, while the passing of her own youth is felt in the withering rose of her longing. The story captures the intimate dance between duty and desire, offering a vivid portrait of a life lived in the shadows of aging, love, and the ever‑present hum of the city.
Language
el
Duration
~4 hours (237K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sophia Canoni
Release date
2008-10-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1867–1911
A pioneering figure in modern Greek theater, he also wrote fiction and memoir with unusual emotional intensity. His life moved between Athens and Vienna, bringing together literary ambition, stage innovation, and close contact with the world of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
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