midday in summer
Chance caught in the entangling net of circumstance brings about every beginning . Yet it is better to begin with what is splendid in earthly experience , or at any rate with what is beautiful and pleasing . Splendid are the body , the youth , and the gaiety in man ; splendid are the water , the light , and the summer in nature . It was a bright , hot midday in summer , and the heavy glances of the flaming Dragon fell on the River Skorodyen . The water , the light , and the summer beamed and were glad ; they beamed because of the sunlight that filled the immense space , they were glad because of the wind that blew from some far land , because of the many birds , because of the two nude maidens . Two sisters , Elisaveta and Elena , were bathing in the River Skorodyen . And the sun and the water were gay , because the two maidens were beautiful and were naked .