My little girl!
It's night. Christmas night. All the armed men went to sleep. Put your brother to sleep, your sister. Even your mother fell asleep. I almost woke them up when I came to this semi-lit room. You are very far from me. But make me blind if you are not always in front of my eyes. Your portrait here on the table, and here in my heart.
Where are you? There, in the magnificent Paris, you dance on a great theatrical stage in the fields of elitism. I am aware that you are far away, but still sometimes it seems to me that in the silence of the night, as I hear your footsteps, as I see your eyes, they shine like stars in the winter sky.
I hear you're playing in the show and you're playing the role of a little bit of something. Beauty and dance! Be a star and shine! But if the enthusiasm and respect for the public, if the smell of flowers that offers you stunning, sit in the corner and read the letter, listen to the voice of your heart. I'm your father, Geraldine! I'm Charlie, Charlie Chaplin! Do you know how many nights I spent by your pillow when you were a child, telling you a fairy tale about a sleeping beauty, and waking up a dragon? And when I got used to my dream in my old eyes, I made him say, "Go away! My daughter's dream is my dream!"
I saw your dreams, Geraldine, your future. I saw a girl dancing on stage, like a villa flying in the sky. I listened to the audience say, 'Do you see that girl? This is the daughter of an old fool, do you remember her name is Charlie? '' Yes, I'm Charlie! I'm an old fool! Now it's your turn. Dance! I danced in oversized, broken pants, you dance in a silk dress like a princess. That dance and circle will sometimes throw you in the sky. Fly! Fly there! But get down to earth! You have to see the lives of people, the lives of street dancers who go from cold to hunger. I was just like them those nights, those magical nights while he slept, calm down from my stories, I was awake.
I looked at your face, listened to your heartbeat, and asked myself, "Charlie, does this kitten know you at all?" "You don't know me. It's a story about a hungry fool who sang and danced in the streets of London and collected small things. That's my story! I knew what hunger was, which meant being homeless. More than that, I experienced the pain of walking - the ocean of pride. my chest was crazy, and that pride hurt painfully as they threw coins at me. still survived, so we leave this story.
We better talk about you. Your name is Geraldine - my last name is Chaplin. With this last name, I've been entertaining people on earth for more than 40 years. But I cried more than they laughed. Geraldine, in the world you live in, there is much more than just dancing and music. In the middle of the night, when you leave the magnificent halls, you can see them You must not forget the rich fans, but you must not forget to ask the driver if he has a wife at home, if he has a wife at home, if she is pregnant, if they have money for diapers for their pregnant child. You must not forget to put money in his pocket.
Sometimes go by subway or bus, explore the city on foot. Watch people. Looking for pets and orphans! And at least once a day, say to yourself, '' I'm the same as them. 'Yes, you are one of them, my child. Art, before giving a person wings that can fly, usually breaks his legs. And if the day comes to think you're over the audience, leave the stage immediately and take to the streets of Paris. I know them very well. There you will see many dancers like you, even more beautiful, calm, proud.
The lights for the blind stage will not follow you there. They shine from the light of the moon. Take a good look at them! Don't they dance better than you? Admit it, my child! There is always someone who dances better than you, who plays better than you. And remember, your father is Charlie, a farmer on a taxi, a poor man sitting on a bench. I will die, but you will live. And I hope you never know what's not real.
With this letter I am sending you a check book so you can spend as much as you want. But when you spend two coins, remember that the third is not yours! It must belong to a stranger who needs it! And you can easily find them, you just have to want them. I'm telling you about money because I know it's devilish power.
I spent a lot of time in the circus. And I've always been worried about those who go to the river. But I have to tell you how most people touch the bottom path worse than them.
Maybe one day you will be blind with a diamond. At the same time, it will be dangerous for you, and you will inevitably fall. Maybe one day you will charm a prince. On the same day, you will experience walking around the hemp, and you will fall like never before. Don't sell your heart for gold and precious stones. Meet the biggest diamond - the sun Fortunately, it shines for everyone. And when the time comes and you fall in love, love that man with all your heart. And I told your mother that she was writing to you about it. She understands love better than I do.
Your body is covered with a piece of silk. In the name of art, it can be shown on stage even, but it is important to always come back, not only dressed, but also clean. I'm old and maybe my words sound ridiculous. But in my opinion, your naked body should belong only to the one who loves your discovered soul. Don't worry about how you will think about this in ten years Don't worry, in ten years you will be older. I know that fathers and children are always in trouble. And you don't have to agree with me, with my thoughts, my girl!
I don't want to listen to children. And until my eyes fill with tears after this letter, I want to believe that this Christmas night is a night of miracles.
I hope there is a miracle, and that you really understood everything I wanted to tell you. Charlie is getting older, Geraldine. Sooner or later, instead of wearing a white dress for the stage, you will have to be sad and come to my grave. I don't want to upset you now. Just look in the mirror - there you will see me, my quality. My blood is flowing in your veins. When the blood in my veins cools down, I hope you don't forget your father, Charlie. I was not an angel, but I always wanted to be human. Give it a try.
I love you Charlie. December, 1965.
Charlie Chaplin
