Original text: Spanish

1er párrafo inicial

Cuando Florentino ve a Fermina embarazada de seis meses paseando con Juvenal, decide trabajar y armar una fortuna para merecerla. Le pide trabajo a su tío León XII, presidente de la Junta Directiva y Director General de la Compañía Fluvial del Caribe. Su tío lo nombra escribiente de la Dirección General, por consejo de Lotario Thugut, quien resalta sus dones para la escritura y la lectura. Sin embargo, es incapaz de escribir correctamente una carta comercial porque siempre agrega sentimentalismos: “no podía eludir su lirismo porque no dejaba de pensar en Fermina Daza, y nunca aprendió a escribir sin pensar en ella”. Por eso va diariamente al Portal de los Escribanos a escribir cartas de amor para otras personas. Empieza a escribir un libro titulado Secretario de los enamorados.

English Translation

1st opening paragraph

When Florentino sees Fermina, six months pregnant, walking with Juvenal, he decides to work hard and build a fortune to become worthy of her. He asks his uncle, León XII, President of the Board of Directors and General Manager of the Caribbean River Company, for a job. His uncle appoints him as a clerk in the General Office on the recommendation of Lotario Thugut, who recognizes his talent for reading and writing. However, Florentino is unable to write a proper business letter because he always adds romantic feelings: “he could not escape his lyricism because he never stopped thinking about Fermina Daza, and he never learned to write without thinking of her.” For this reason, he goes every day to the Writers' Arcade to write love letters for other people. He also begins writing a book entitled Secretary of the Lovers.

Original text: Spanish

 2do  párrafo inicial

El único objetivo de su vida es recuperar a Fermina. Florentino está tan seguro de que la recuperará que convence a la madre de acondicionar la casa para recibirla. Durante esta reconstrucción, Tránsito presenta los primeros síntomas de la enfermedad que luego la terminará matando.

English Translation

2nd opening paragraph

The only goal of his life is to win Fermina back. Florentino is so certain that he will regain her love that he convinces his mother to prepare the house for her return. During this renovation, Tránsito begins to show the first symptoms of the illness that will eventually take her life.

Original text: Spanish

Párrafo final 

Florentino conoce a Olimpia Zuleta, una muchacha menuda casada con un cacharrero del mercado. Ella le regala una paloma mensajera y así comienzan a comunicarse en secreto, intercambiando cartas. Tienen una historia clandestina y es la primera vez que Florentino se siente enamorado después de Fermina. Se seducen lentamente. Pero seis meses después, el marido se entera y mata a Olimpia. Florentino tiene miedo de que aquel se enterara que él era el amante.

English Translation

Closing paragraph

Florentino meets Olimpia Zuleta, a petite young woman married to a market potter. She gives him a carrier pigeon, and they begin communicating secretly by exchanging letters. They start a clandestine love affair, and for the first time since Fermina, Florentino truly falls in love. Their relationship develops slowly. However, six months later, Olimpia's husband discovers the affair and kills her. Florentino fears that the husband will discover that he was her lover.