"Zerstreutes Hinausschaun," by Franz Kafka: "Absent-minded Window-gazing" (or "A Stray Glance From The Window") translated in English. "Zerstreutes Hinausschaun," by Franz Kafka, with Original Text in German

 

Vincent Van Gogh's "Peasant Woman Sewing In Front Of A Window" (1885)

   
 From "The Tales of Franz Kafka: English Translation With Original Text In German," available as e-book on Amazon Kindle, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, on NOOK Book, on Kobo, and as printed, traditional edition through  Amazon and Lulu.

Zerstreutes Hinausschaun

Was werden wir in diesen Frühlingstagen tun, die jetzt rasch kommen? Heute früh war der Himmel grau, geht man aber jetzt zum Fenster, so ist man überrascht und lehnt die Wange an die Klinke des Fensters.

Unten sieht man das Licht der freilich schon sinkenden Sonne auf dem Gesicht des kindlichen Mädchens, das so geht und sich umschaut, und zugleich sieht man den Schatten des Mannes darauf, der hinter ihm rascher kommt.

Dann ist der Mann schon vorübergegangen und das Gesicht des Kindes ist ganz hell.

Absent-minded Window-gazing (or "A Stray Glance From The Window")

What are we going to do with these spring days, which are now fast approaching? This morning the sky was grey, but now if one goes to the window is surprised and leans his cheek against the latch of the window.
 The sun is already setting, but down below you see it lights up the face of the little girl who strolls along looking about her, and at the same time you see her eclipsed by the shadow of the man overtaking her.
And then the man has already passed by and the face of the little girl grows very bright.