#maxfka

questionnaire by Brod, filled out by Kafka, June 1921

- Franz Kafka to Max Brod, 1910.5.27

4 Schalengasse] Max Brod was living at his parents’ house on Schalengasse.

On May 27, 1910, Brod wrote in his diary: “A lovely letter from Kafka: a pebble, Walser, George.” The volume by Stefan George in question is possibly Das Jahr der Seele or Die Bücher der Hirten- und Preisgedichte, der Sagen und Sänge und der hängenden Gärten; the copy of Walser’s Jakob von Gunten has survived; the pebble stone has also survived to this day.

Max Brod was deeply moved by Kafka's words about cherishing friendship as enduring as pebbles, and the next afternoon, after work, he rushed to meet Kafka. They went to the sun-drenched banks of the Moldau River, where they rowed and swam for several hours. When they were tired, they lay in the sun. That evening, to deepen and solidify their friendship, they went to Café to discuss their long-planned trip to Paris.

Brod's diary entry of May 28 (which I can't read)

How many days have again gone silently by; today is 28 May. Have I not even the resolution to take this penholder, this piece of wood, in my hand every day? I really think I do not. I row, ride, swim, lie in the sun. Therefore my calves are good, my thighs not bad, my belly will pass muster, but my chest is very shabby and if my head set low between my shoulders –

Kafka's diary entry of May 28