Two little soldiers
by Guy de Maupassant.
# The plot revolves around a strange triangular love triangle that ends in a completely unexpected way.
# This story demonstrates how friendship and passionate love may coexist with change, dissatisfaction, conflict, betrayal, and jealousy.
# The setting of this narrative is Courbevoie, a town in the French countryside on the outskirts of Paris.
# Luc Le Ganidec and Jean Kerderen, two French soldiers, are the major protagonists in this novel.
# Luc Le Ganidec and Jean Kerderen were both soldiers who were close friends.
# Jean Kerderen was the quietest and most reserved of the group, whilst Luc Le Ganidec was the most freewheeling and open-minded.
# Both of them used to spend their Sunday vacations away from their barracks in the countryside.
# They spent their vacation in a small wood towards the end of Bezons and used to travel so quickly without stopping to talk on their way to Bezons.
# They would stop for several minutes at Bezons's bridge to enjoy the river Seine and its white surging sails.
# They would lean over the bridge's railing to take in the view of the river.
# They were reminded of their homes by this river. After crossing the bridge, they would purchase vital necessities such as bread, wine, and other items from businesses.
# Finally, after passing through the settlement, they would reach a little forest, the area which reminded them of their homeland Plounivon.
# Both of them would enjoy a lot in that peaceful environment quite away from the noise of the town.
# Both soldiers came upon a young milkmaid who was taking her cow to the pastor to be milked and milkmaid approached the pastor with her cow the following Sunday and spoke with them.
# When she returned, she shared her coeds milk to them. They talked again about various things. She promised to meet both of them the following Sunday.
# Upcoming weekend, Jean Kerderen suggested to Luc Le Ganidec that they give the milkmaid a present.
# Both of them came to a decision to purchased bonbons for her.
# They were nervous and hesitant to tell her about the present, when they saw her the following Sunday.
# Finally, Luc Le Ganidec informed her of the gift, and Jean Kerderen presented her with a bonbon.
# Receiving chocolates from the soldiers made her very pleased. The milkmaid became a topic of talk for both soldiers in the barracks as the weeks passed.
# Both the soldiers used to talk about her all the time and after a few more encounters, these three people became close friends.
# The milkmaid began to bring breakfast and other things whenever they used to meet.
# Luc Le Ganidec began to leave the barracks on a regular basis.
# One Tuesday, Luc Le Ganidec left the barracks and returned very late and on Friday, he fled the barracks once more.
# Luc Le Ganidec borrowed money from Jean Kerderen but never explained why he was on leave.
# Luc's actions outside the barracks was unknown to Jean.
# When the girl and her cow appeared the following Sunday, she was overjoyed to see Luc Le Ganidec.
# She rushed over to Luc Le Ganidec and hugged him, she kissed and embraced Luc Le Ganidec.
# She was unconcerned about Luc's friend Jean Kerderen, Both of them vanished for a long time in the woods.
# Jean Kerderen got desperate as he sat alone and was unaware about their actions.
# His heart was broken and he became aware of his preference to approach the young lady.
# He even realises the reason for Luc's long absences from the barracks and he thought he was a fool.
# Both lovers kissed again when they returned and the milkmaid didn't even provide milk to Jean that day.
# Jean was in a bad mood and upset while returning to the barracks.
# As he stopped to a halt just beyond the bridge, Jean Kerderen leaned heavily over the bridge's railing, overthinking about his Luc's and the milkmaid's relationship.
# In desperation, he couldn't balance his body over the bridge's railing, he unexpectedly fell into the river.
# Luc Le Ganidec panicked and yelled for help assistance, but no one responded.
# He only saw Jean's head for the last time.
# Jean's body vanished into the water and later his body was discovered by boatmen.
# Luc Le Ganidec was frightened and unhappy when he learned about Jean's mishap in his barracks.
# Luc Le Ganidec ran towards the barrack crying and informed all officers about Jean's accident in his barracks.
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