Korte Arabesken: Bébert le Boucher en André le Pêcheur

A weary narrator sits alone on a quiet bench by Nice’s Quai du Midi, watching the restless sea and feeling the chill of an approaching storm. The evening’s melancholy is interrupted when two larger‑than‑life figures stride into view: Bébert, a brooding northern butcher with a sharp wit, and André, a sunny southern fisherman whose jokes ripple like the tide. Their boisterous greetings instantly draw the narrator into a lively, if slightly absurd, conversation, complete with playful titles, weather‑talk, and teasing about a mysterious “duc” identity.

The trio’s banter reveals a striking contrast between the characters—Bébert’s dark humor versus André’s carefree chatter—while the narrator remains the reluctant middle ground, both amused and uneasy. As the wind picks up, they hint at a night‑time escapade aboard André’s little boat, “La Jeune Jeannette,” promising more camaraderie and mischief. The scene sets a vivid portrait of friendship, humor, and the restless allure of the Mediterranean night, inviting listeners to linger in the charm of this quirky encounter.