The Novella Life of Illuscia Nester Himawari

Never Wrong

2012-01-26T00:10:00.000-08:00

A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.

Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."

The slave replied: "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and He knows "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"

Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.

In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim had not one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately.

"My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"

"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger, therefore, remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."

Beautiful Lady Jokes

2012-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

Guides - Beautiful Lady = BL
Workaholic Roomate = WR
Ugly Roomate = UR
Innocent Roomate = IR

WR: *sighs* It's been 5 years since I broke up wif my ex. His image is still a little blur to me
BL: *sighs* Same here. Sometimes I can't even remember how exactly does he look like
WR: How many years since you broke up?
BL: *looks at clock* Half an hour ago
------------------------------ --
UR: Sometimes I feel a sudden rush of depression these days. You know how to get rid of it?
BL: Try falling in love. Love is always the best medicine
UR: What about marriage?
BL: Please don't overdose
------------------------------ --
IR: I can't sleep with lights!
WR: Well I can't sleep without light!
BL: I can't sleep without men!
WR: *looks outside* You just woke up the whole damn neighbourhood of men...
------------------------------ --
Landlord: Time for rent!
BL: *hides n keeps quiet*
Landlord: I know you're home
BL: *remains quiet*
Landlord: Every husband in the neighbourhood is with their wives today
BL: *groans n pays rent*
-------------------------------
Landlord: Time for rent! And if you can't pay you'll have to pack up n leave
BL: *shouts out loud* Guys! I'm leaving!
5 men (showed up outta nowhere): *digging their wallets* How much? I'll pay!
-------------------------------
UR: How's the current economy status?
WR: *points to BL* Ask her
UR: But she's not an economist!
WR: True, but she can tell from her gifts she get from men the economy status
-------------------------------
WR: Who's that waiting down there in a tux?
BL: He's been trying to woo me for 3 days now. His dad's the executive manager of a jewelry company and owns 3 other businesses in England and 2 more in China
WR: Then what are you waiting for??
BL: I'm thinking whether I should be his stepmother
------------------------------ --
WR: The economy is more and more worse. Ppl r looking for second jobs to cope with the expenses. What about you?
BL: The same. I'm looking for men with two jobs
--------------------------------
BL: I am born to be every man's lover. But I'm a new age lover: I only require men's love, not their money
WR: So how do you support yourself?
BL: Through their wives' request for separation fee
--------------------------------
BL: I dug deep into my pockets to publish 2000 copies of my novel of my love affair with 10 married men. First day of sales n I sold them all out
IR: Wow! That's amazing! How did you do it?
BL: Those 10 idiots bought 200 copies each
----------------------------------
WR: You go around flirting and taking advantage of men, and hv overly high maintenance. Why can't you get rid of that stereotypical attitude and be a modern woman? You are a shame to all women
BL: I don't mind, as long as I'm the pride of all men
----------------------------------
BL: Come shopping with me
IR: I thought u always ask some guy to go shopping with you
BL: Can't. Their wives all wanted to go out shopping
-----------------------------------
At the cinema...
Man #1: Get me a seat with a clear view
Man #2: A seat with a clear view, please
Man #3: A seat with a clear view
BL: A seat with a clear view of me
------------------------------------
BL: Hello there. Doesn't your father usually come over to collect the rent?
Landlord's son: It can't be helped. He's getting old
BL: Too old for money-collecting?
Landlord's son: Too old for women-watching
------------------------------------
BL: Can you delay the rent for a few more days?
Landlord: Sure, just come closer
UR: What about me?
Landlord: Sure, just stay away
------------------------------------
BL: Love is lethal. When you can't get men to notice you at first sight, you're dead
IR: What if a man doesn't notice you at first sight?
BL: Hurry up and get another man to do so
-------------------------------------
BL: *receiving a string of calls* Hello, Jerry, dinner on Friday? No problem. Hello, Andy, shopping on Saturday? No problem. Hello, Vincent, hot springs on Sunday? No problem.
WR: *thinks* If my business is as hot as her, I'd have no problem
--------------------------------------
UR: If one day I get married, will you seduce my husband?
BL: Goodness, dear, we've been friends for so long. How could you not trust me?
UR: I'm just a little worried
BL: If you don't trust my character, at least you should trust my taste
--------------------------------------
Waiter: Ma'am, please pay the check. We're closing
BL: Is there no men willing to pay my tab?
Waiter: Sorry, ma'am. Not a single one
BL: *thinking* I'm definitely not coming back to this gay restaurant
---------------------------------------
WR: Experts say that every 3 people, one of them is a working woman. I just don't understand why you choose to remain unemployed
BL: What do you know? I'm one of the reasons why the other 2 men is working their asses off
---------------------------------------
BL: How much do you actually have?
Man: How much do you actually worth?
---------------------------------------
BL: I plan to dump this man
IR: OMG, that man is gorgeous! Why? Are you bored of him?
BL: All my friends are bored of him
------------------------------ ----------
UR: What's the pros of getting married?
BL: It trains your memory
UR: How so?
BL: You'll thinking back your single days
------------------------------ ----------
BL: Have you seen my future lover?
Fortune-teller: I only see a woman
BL: What woman?
Fortune-teller: Your future lover's wife
------------------------------ ----------
At funfair...
BL: I'm on a bad streak. I couldn't win anything
IR: Don't give up. You should use your experience
BL: Wat experience?
IR: Your experience in winning over men
------------------------------ ---------
WR: Here's the news headlines: AIDS spreading like wildfire, killing millions...
BL: Old school
WR: Pollution soaring skyhigh...
BL: Yesterday's fashion
WR: Today's men don't stray away from wives and families...
BL: OMG, that's terrible!
------------------------------ ----------
Man: If you don't marry me, I'll kill myself
BL: I'm sorry, I still cannot accept your proposal
UR: Don't worry, I'll marry you
Man: Thank you for making me want to kill myself more
------------------------------ ----------
BL: *talks to mirror* Listen good. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. The most, most beautiful woman in the world
All the roomates: *as soon as BL leaves* Don't listen to her. You're the most beautiful!
------------------------------ ---------
Man: What do you think of love?
BL: Love is priceless
Man: Then let's get married!
BL: Marriage is expensive
------------------------------ ---------
BL: If you act silly, men will think you have quality
UR: No offence, but I kinda question that theory. I've tried it so many times and no men think I have quality
BL: I mean act silly, not be silly
------------------------------ ---------
IR: Can you love 2 men at once?
BL: Of course not. I usually fall in love with a bunch of men at once
------------------------------ ---------
BL: To be honest, I've lost count of all the men I've loved
IR: You better keep track of yourself
BL: Why?
IR: Lovers can count; bitches can't
------------------------------ ---------
UR: Why don't men love me? Why don't men ever care about me? Why? Why?
BL: Coz men hate women who can't stop asking why
------------------------------ ---------
Waiter: The total is $113, plz
BL: Here. *hands him a card* Come fren, let's go
WR: Wat is that card you just gave him? Don't you need to sign for it?
BL: It's my phone number
------------------------------ ---------
BL: Men to me are like disposables. Once used can be disposed of. So to me, breaking up wif men is like throwing out the garbage
UR: Are there many like you out there?
BL: Nope. But when it comes to picking up the garbage, there's plenty
------------------------------ ----------
BL: You're always so busy, no wonder you have an unhappy life
WR: Humph! At least I'm creating opportunities for many people. What abt u? What's ur contribution to society being aloof n unemployed?
BL: I'm creating many opportunities for men
------------------------------ ----------
IR: I have much interest in philosophy
BL: I, too, have much interest in philosophy
IR: I've gone to 10 philosopher's lectures
BL: I've gone on 10 philosopher's beds
------------------------------ ----------
WR: *On the phone* What?! The stocks have gone down drastically! Get rid of my stocks immediately!
BL: Lend me your phone plz *dials number* Get rid of all my stock-buying boyfriends!
------------------------------ ----------
UR: I love to collect things that symbolize freedom. Look, here's the rock taken from the walls of the parliament where Guy Fawkes tried to bomb
BL: I have something similar too. Look, a copy of my friend's divorce papers
------------------------------ ----------
Man: You're the comet that comes only once a millenium, you're the genie in the thousand year old bottle, you're the brightest star that shines in the galaxy...
BL: Go away. I will not associate myself with someone who sees so little of me
------------------------------ -----------
BL: I know the best coffee in France, the best sushi in Japan, the best steak in NY
IR: Can you help me get a bottle of ketchup?
BL: Where can I get that?!
------------------------------------------
At the golf course...
Man: Steady... Steady... Steady... Steady...
BL: I'm very steady
Man: I meant me
------------------------------ ------
BL: This is the list of men I broke in the past, present and will be in the future
IR: You should save a little
BL: What? The men?
IR: No, the paper
------------------------------ ------
UR: What are you doing?
BL: Deciding who to date.
UR: What's choosing shoes gotta do with who to date?
BL: Short heels for short men, high heels for tall men
------------------------------ ------
Waiter: What'll it be?
BL: *whispers to IR* Any men interested with us wen we came in?
IR: *whispers bk* I don't think so
BL: *talks to waiter* Just give us the cheapest set lunch
------------------------------ -------
BL: Phew! It's getting hot in here *removes jacket* Ah, that's better
Men: Phew! It's getting hot in here
------------------------------ -------
BL: Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy the romance of Paris, then the next day the roughin' n toughin' of Germany, then the next day the vibrant of America, then finally the next day the protectiveness of Japan
WR: Don't be ridiculous. You can't go to four different countries in four days!
BL: Maybe, but four different men would do the trick
------------------------------ -------
BL: I'm not happy. I'm not happy at all. Do you think I'd be happier if I stop seducing men?
Psychiatrist: Nope, but I bet many women would
------------------------------ -------
BL: Make me copies of 10 keys
Locksmith: No problem. Have a lot of doors, haven't we?
BL: Have a lot of boyfriends
------------------------------ -------
BL: I'll pay you $50 to see my future
Fortune-teller: I'm sorry, I can't do that
BL: Why not?
Fortune-teller: *points at a bunch of men behind her* They paid me more to see your past
------------------------------ -------
BL: My 1st bf gave me these earrings, my 2nd bf gave me this ring, my 3rd bf gave me this bracelet...
Man: I'm sorry. I can't afford to give you jewelry
BL: Then give me a new bf
------------------------------ -------
WR: Experts say that this year the whole country's women have an average of dating more boyfriends than last year by 50%
IR: That's ridiculous. I've never had dated more than I did last year
UR: I agree. This statistic is flawed
BL: No problem, they must've included my number of dates
------------------------------ -------
WR: You know the beauty of computers? Whatever information I need, I can just get it with the click of a button
BL: You know the beauty of phones? Whatever men I want, I can just call them with the dial of a number
------------------------------ --------
UR: Men today are hopeless in the test of love. How do I let them know that I'm their only sweetheart
BL: Don't let them see other sweethearts
------------------------------ --------
UR: Where have all the good men gone?
BL: Taken away by bad women
UR: Then where have all the bad men gone?
BL: Taking away good women
------------------------------ --------
IR: Can someone live without love?
BL: Of course, and they live longer too
IR: That's a relief
BL: Although they don't care if you're alive or not
------------------------------ --------
WR: How many men have you broke up with exactly?
BL: Too many to count
WR: Don't you get hate mail from them?
BL: Yeah, but their wives' thank you note balance it out
------------------------------ --------
Man: OMG! How could you dump me for that man? Does he earn more than me?
BL: Of course not, darling, but he spends better than you
------------------------------ --------
BL: Many men say this to me "Marry me or I'll die"
UR: Many men had said something like that to me
BL: Such as?
UR: "Marry me and I'll die"
------------------------------ --------
BL: Truth be told, men are only women's toys
IR: I'm still a kid, I don't understand the meaning
BL: Don't worry. I'll get you a child-safe toy
------------------------------ --------
IR: Why do men like to put their hands on women's bodies?
BL: Coz it gives them satisfaction
IR: Then what should we do to get satisfaction?
BL: Put our hands into their wallets
------------------------------ --------
Man: You are my goddess
BL: Get out of here
Man: You are my salvation
BL: Get out of here
Man: *walks off n muttered* I guess not even money can win the hearts of women
BL: Get back here
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IR: Look at all the number of love letters I got from my boyfriend
BL: That's nothing. Look at all the messengers I got from sending letters for my boyfriend
------------------------------ --------
WR: Is it true that men starts to regret after the wedding next day?
BL: Yes, of course
WR: What abt the women?
BL: When the husband stop letting her buy new clothes
------------------------------ ---------
BL: When men stops talking, women starts nagging
UR: When women stops talking?
BL: Men starts worrying

Family

2012-01-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.

He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken...

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,

'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door...

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall...

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.

'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'

I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'

I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'

Please Don't Go

2012-01-05T02:29:00.000-08:00

I saw you running off with his friends
You were going to some sort of big event
I suddenly worry for you
I told whoever I was with to stay behind
As I chased after you
I suddenly found myself
Holding a torchlight like Alan Wake
And I had to shine it everywhere
The light guided me to where I have to go
I shouted your name "BUN! BUN!"
Like my life depends on it.
But you did not respond
As I ran, I ended up
Running into some sort of Asian funeral procession
I couldn't tell what sort of Asian was this
And I couldn't care less
I just weave around them and continued my way
They all look so realistic, not dream-like
I knew somehow that this is a dream
But everything looked so real
I continued to run about shouting your name
Trying to look for you
I finally ended up at a procession
that looked like it came from your culture
Then I could feel myself waking up
I could feel my surroundings
And the feel of the bed and the pillow below my head
And the blanket around my body
But I didn't want to wake up
I wanted to find you
I willed myself to go back to sleep
To return to this world
And for a brief moment I succeeded
I approached this man
Who is the head of the procession
And asked him if he saw you
But he asked me if I was the girl
Who was adopted by your family
And asked if I came from the other world
As if he knew I came from the waking world!
How weird is that?
Again, I felt myself slipping
Slipping back to the waking world
I willed myself to stay in the dream
For another few more minutes
Suddenly I was approached by your dad
And he was telling me that he adopted me
So that I can marry Adan
And become the village idiot's bride
That I should give up fantasizing on you
But I don't want to marry a village idiot!
I wanted to marry you!
I wanted to find you!
I wanted to see you
To touch you
To feel you
To kiss you
To hold you and never let go...

But I woke up
Empty and alone
On a cold and lonely bed
And I cried...

Inside the Pocket

2012-01-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am in here, inside your pocket
Just to travel the world with you
I am waiting till you realize
What really is your dream?

Starting now, as we move forward together
Towards a world so far yet seem so near
Inside the pocket the sky spreads far
Light fluffy cloud floating past the pocket

How beautiful this world truly is!
We shall travel this world together

I am right here, in front of your eyes
Until you grow mature
Come with me!
Let's play together!
Isn't that your wildest dreams?

Starting now, I will search for you
Try and open up to me
Inside the pocket there is a raging sea
Inside the pocket the birds fly free

Ease the Pain

2012-01-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

In the end I have found
Everything I've lost yesterday
Although I can't understand it entirely
But it is very important
I quicken my pace to chase it
But yesterday has so long gone
I held out my hand to catch
Yet it has gone with the wind

Ease the pain
Just ease the pain
Memories are forever beautiful
Ease the pain
Just ease the pain
Don't give up that fast
Ease the pain
Just let it go
Tomorrow is waiting for you

The Power of Togetherness

2012-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

I am a coward
I've searched it through my heart
But show me my courage
Even if it's just a little bit

True, you have tried to search
The courage deep in your heart
Because the courage of us both
If combined, will become more

As long as we hold our hands, joining heart to heart
We will never fear again
We will become stronger

When I looked
Into your tearful face
I couldn't give you more help than I'm supposed to give
Because my hands
No matter how hard I clench them
It's still the same size

As long as we stick together, both heart and mind
We will forget the coward that we were
I will be stronger than ever before

When Will I Grow Up?

2012-01-04T11:56:00.002-08:00

When I was sad, huddling at the corner of a road
Staring at the lights on the streets
A 7-year old me
Filled with much curiosity about the world
I stumbled as I cried
Something shining at the end of the rainbow
Changes in the blink of an eye

At the eve of sunset
I held on to the strangest dream
Standing tall
Until I realized that I was awakened from that dream

Why must I grow up?
When will I grow up?

As I wake
The light of sunset seeps through my window
As I rubbed my eyes I couldn't believe
That I am standing under the sunshine
Though the distance seemed so far
I cannot fly when I'm awake
The light of sunset feels so far away

Why must I grow up?
When will I grow up?

Coz We Are Friends

2012-01-04T11:56:00.001-08:00

Your smile
Is like the blue sky
My heart feels glad
When I look at your face

Even though we wear
Different-coloured clothes
Yet we both chase
The same dream

We are like clouds close together
Traveling through the edge of the skies

We look just like friends
We are the best of friends
From now until forever
'Coz we are friends

Till We Reach the Skies

2012-01-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

We want to hear sweet music
Is there anyone to sing a song for us?
Of all the beings in this world
Only humans can smile when they see a flower
Only humans can shed bitter tears
You who are weak look a lot like a human
We love to listen to calm music
Are you willing to sing one for us
Even if your singing doesn't really sound too good?
Give a beautiful name for each star
That you see shining in the dark night sky
Only humans can shed bitter tears
You who are weak look a lot like a human
Because we are humans
Humans who will be strong one day

The Time Traveller

2012-01-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

In the embrace of the green fields
Let us sleep a while! What's the rush?
Under the dark, silent skies
The clouds with leveled voices
Tell us tales as old as time

At a billion years ago under the warm sun's rays
There was a clear, blue sky just as today
In front of the wide open sea where the sun sets
My heart felt abnormally warm
My heart was filled with peace
Beside the sea where the moon rises
The tide came in, bringing with them
Memories as ancient as life

A million years ago
There was someone else just like you
Who sat on this beautiful, soft white sand

Two thousand years ago
There was someone just like me
Drenched by heaven's heavy waters

Footsteps of Dreams

2012-01-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

My love! Do you know magic?
Please help me, my love
And turn this busy city
Into a quiet, desert-like land under the sunset
Only your voice can be heard calling me
At the west side of the skies, watching the star of Scorpio
It is telling me that this is the message of love

This must be your dream
For I am no longer who I was yesterday
So I can understand what you feel deep inside
We have both reached that faraway fairytale land
We took the midnight train
Listening to the train tooting, passing through the stars
Going past the city roads, the streetlights streaming by
Seems like we're traveling through the Milky Way
At the east side of the skies, comes the bright shining moon
As if it contains many happy stories

Midnight train, listening its tooting
Passing through the stars
Where exactly is it going, you don't even know
I can only pray to the heavens above
Not to our wonderful journey
Ever end

Clouds in Procession

2012-01-04T11:52:00.002-08:00

Colouring the handkerchief that wipes the tears
The clouds moved towards the North
In a land far, far away
There has to be someone who is sadder than I
Oh, clouds, I shall hold on
The man wipes his tears
Oh, clouds, if you are willing to wipe his tears
His eyes would surely look like the skies

You are like a bouquet of white roses
Moving towards the South
You are like a present to a loved one
For those who loves traveling
Oh, clouds, you must reach here before sunset
Because petals will become red
Oh, clouds, your eyes are filled
With hundreds of tiny little flower bouquets

Oh, clouds
When the rain falls down to the city
You are surely between the rays of the sun
Oh, clouds
For that special someone
I am willing to drench myself in the cold rain

My Happiness is Right Here

2012-01-04T11:52:00.001-08:00

The moment the exams are over
I lifted my head and there I saw
The flag that bears our school's sign
Fluttered under the gust of wind
The pressed flower between my text book pages
Has a memory on each petal
Feeling good
What a wonderful memory!

The handmade necklace held in my hands
Has never been shown to anyone else
But everytime I took a look at the jewels on it
I feel like I've grown a little again
Feeling good

The pom-pom skirts floating, lost in the wind
They look like little witches on broomsticks
And yet they look like tiny parachutes
Falling freely, safely onto the ground
Dipped warmly in my bath tub
I lifted my head and saw the star-filled sky
The stars that I recognized were unusually bright
Feeling good
At this split second of happiness
I feel so blissful

The drawing that started out with strokes and lines
Is one of my accomplishments
But I have yet to show it to anyone
As I finished this piece of drawing
I feel like I've grown a little again
Feeling good

The necklace that is filled with my memories
Is handmade by me, bit by bit
But they have yet to be shown to anyone else
And everytime I look a look at its jewels
I feel like I've grown a little again
Feeling good

The World in Contest

2012-01-04T11:51:00.001-08:00

Grown-ups can be so unfair
They are so unfair to their kids
They expect us to make friends with the world
And become a national person
Although we wish to carry on playing
Yet America is 10 o'clock, a very late night
And Tokyo is 8 o'clock, early in the morning
Not a time to play
The world is not just one
The time isn't the same; the days are upside-down
The world is in a contest, which makes life more interesting
'Coz everyone is different
Having abilities of their own

Grown-ups can be so unfair
They are so unfair to their kids
They expect us to study real hard
So that we'll become geniuses
Although it's true in a way, it's easier said than done
Some don't score in their tests
Some can't even play 'Jump House'
Many turn out to be losers
But as long as there at least good thing in us, that's enough!
The best thing would be to be able to be energetic after school
Kids are in a contest, which makes school more interesting
'Coz everyone is different
Having abilities of their own

Bread, fish, books and fresh flowers in the garden
Everything is here ready to be bought and sold
The city is in a contest, which makes the roads more interesting
'Coz everyone is different
Having abilities of their own

Goldfishes move left and right in the pond
Yet mud skippers move up and down
No one's copying anyone
Just copying their own

The Milky Way of My Heart

2012-01-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

I found a seashell by the sea
Why does it look like a whirlpool?
You told me that
It is because of the snowy white line of the galaxy—The Milky Way
The seashell had heard those voices
Captivated by The Milky Way
And swirled into this magical shape
My ears and the seashell
Both want to hear your voice
But you are so far, far away

The flower amidst the jungle
Why do they have such beautiful colours on their petals?
You told me that
It is because of letting the sun shine its ray open the green fields
Its ray of light bright and pretty like flowers
Bringing its glory and burning its colours onto those petals
Thought my love has started to bud
But your love has not shine on it for growth

Leaving me here all alone, a colourless flower
My heart feels so strange
When I silently think about you
My heart feels like The Milky Way
Feeling at unease

Love is You

2012-01-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Only love, I give to you
Missing in my heart, so uneasy
So hard to control
Love is you

Everything is as if in the wind
Bearing all the sadness and the pain

A city filled with smiles and tears
I can forget them all
I only want your embrace
I'll never let you down
Love is you

In a world of dreams
So alone
Unable to carry on with life

Maybe someday at dawn
We will be in the sky
Staring at each other's hearts
Now and forever
Yeah, no matter where we are
Love is you

Warm Milk

2012-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

In a dark moonless night
I slowly opened my eyes
All alone
Spinning around in my own bed
Unable to sleep, thinking of you

In my dream, you were by my side
Loving me so deep, so softly
When I heard someone say, "What happened?"
I opened my eyes again

The important thing in your heart
Is not me, and I feel bad
Whatever is important to you
I understand it more

I took this little bit of confidence
And held it in my hand
Clutching this ring so tight
Tighter than the pain in my heart

Whatever is important to me
Is that you will be by my side forever

On this lonely sleepless night
You are not by my side
Drinking a cup of warm milk
Made all by myself

Goodbyes

2012-01-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Like peeling the skin of an apple
Time slowly swirls by
As we continue peeling down to the bottom
Today and yesterday come as one
Even if we are lost for a long, long time
As long as you turn around, I'll be just right here
Time is like a spiral staircase
We often say goodbye, yet we meet again
So even if we part, we'll still see each other again

The grape vines have grown
Tomorrow will stretch towards the tall blue skies
Even if you continue to climb higher
The sun will still shine before your eyes
Two complete strangers will come together as one
They are like the stairways of the sun
Saying goodbye but still continues to shine
So even if we part, we'll still see each other again

Time is like a spiral staircase
We often say goodbye, yet we meet again
So even if we part, we'll still see each other again

Seasons Come and Go

2012-01-04T07:56:00.002-08:00

I want to close my ears and block away the perils of future
Yet I was trampled by the feeling of lost loneliness
Wanting to heal the pain with whatever courage I have left
But everytime I fall, it felt so short a time

We used to be together long, long ago
Yet now we’re apart, leaving me all alone

The clouds blown by the strong wind, bringing in the light of dawn
Although we’re now apart, if there is still hope I wish we’d be together again
Comparing to wishing to be loved, why not just carry on keeping this love?
Like standing on the vast green field after a rainy day

My heart that went cold and the days missing you
Went round and round all over my body
At this cruel winter’s day on a city covered with snow
Because there were you, everything became a memory to me

I wanna cry my heart out

Your heart has gone with the wind, I wanna get it back
Feels like the melting snow as summer passes through
Looking back at all the days we used to share, feels ordinary but filled with joy
Like the sound of the bells ringing throughout the area after school

Seasons come and seasons go, yet you are not by my side

The clouds blown by the strong wind, bringing in the light of dawn
Although we’re now apart, if there is still hope I wish we’d be together again
Comparing to wishing to be loved, why not just carry on keeping this love?
Like standing on the vast green field after a rainy day

Do you remember…?
Do you remember…?

Unforgettable Planet

2012-01-04T07:56:00.001-08:00

I can't forget this planet
What a wonderful place
Open your hands and smile
A very valuable thing to me
Whatever I'm saying to you
Is a dream that spreads its two wings
And flies past the great rainbow
Land of the Sun
My heart is filled with hope
And can go just anywhere

In a memory that is full
And connected to our hearts
We suddenly became so much stronger
Something hidden, it feels so magical
Open your hearts to receive
The love that would never change
Unforgettable
The things we find on this planet
The fantastic adventure in our lives
Would remain in our memories, never falter
We suddenly have become so much stronger

Walking Into Sunshine

2012-01-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

There it is! Take a look!
Our dreams holding hands
Moving forward step by step
Bringing your smile

When tears are shed
Sing this song, and starting tomorrow
Everything will be beautiful
Walking into sunshine

Moving forward together
Walking into sunshine
Walking towards the door
Dream, dream, dream
Walking into sunshine
Friends forever

Walking into sunshine
With a lovely smile

Love-Locked

2012-01-04T07:53:00.001-08:00

My heart was pounding as we were led to the sacred grounds.

This is it. This is where we will meet our end.

I stole a glance at my brother. He gave me a sad encouraging look before being shoved up front before me.

How did it end up like this? How could we have become like this?

I never wanted us to end like this. I never wished for this to happen. Even though it is expected, I wish it would not have to come to this.

My brother and I were inseparable. He's about 5 minutes older than I am, and though we're fraternal, thus we look nothing alike, there was no stopping us from being like peas and carrots, and we were the pride and joy of our parents.

Then the great big flood happened. My brother and I were trying to catch fish for dinner that day and we were sent adrift. Then we woke up to find ourselves in a cabin surrounded by fire outside the yard. Apparently the big flood triggered and broke some sort of seal that kept the ancient undead at bay and the family that found us adrift rescued us and found the next best shelter they could find to barricade us in from the mob of zombies that swamped the earth. We couldn't leave, because if we leave, we'll be in the risk of being attacked by zombies, who were somehow terrified of fire.

So my brother and I ended up growing up with this foreign family, surviving in cabin after cabin as we led a nomad life. We never knew what happened to our parents, but we assumed they could've either been killed by the flood or by the zombies. Fire-salt became the new rage as people used it to create fiery barriers around their homes to keep the zombies out. We watched as the world slowly and mysteriously become some sort of post-apocalyptic/communist world. The rich were able to afford secure homes and better wards against the zombies and the poor were left to fend for themselves, scrounging on scraps and trying to get by with whatever fire-salt we could get our hands on.

Somehow along the road, my brother and I developed an incest romance for each other. We knew our relationship was taboo and breaking the communist law, but we didn't care. We only had each other and, despite them rescuing our lives, we've never felt any sort of belonging towards this foreign family who took us in. We only had each other, and it was so right between us that we couldn't see anything wrong behind this. We planned to run away together, to cut all ties with this foreign family and depend on each other and start our own. We had to sneak about, of course, but it was worth it to feel each other's lips, each other's touch, each other's skin against skin...

It was a matter of time before the law-enforcers managed to capture us. We didn't know who ratted us out, but I wouldn't put it past our foreign family. They made us renounce our relationship if we didn't want to be put to jail. They even implemented torture on us to give in but we refuse to cooperate. At the back of my mind through the pain, I remember it's something to do with crushing my hands and feet. But we held strong. There was no way in hell they can separate us, and we were going to make them get it into their thick skulls.

Then we were taken to separate rooms to see this woman who claimed to be our mother who supposedly survived the flood and had been searching for us. We were almost fooled--almost--but we soon knew she wasn't our real mother. Something about her didn't sound or look right, and she could be one of the law enforcers whom they use to break us. She tried to convince us too but we wouldn't budge.

Finally the law enforcers, seeing that we would not break, found us guilty of incest and sentenced us to life in prison. Which brings us to where we are now. As we were brought up stage and displayed about to the people to be made an example of, I stole a look at our prison that was put on a table before us.

There were two weird-looking jars where we would be sucked in, one for me and one for my brother, and that we have to drink the solution in the jar to shrink us so that the jar will suck us in. Then bottom of the jar was some sort of pebble-like substance, but we're not supposed to eat that. I think from what I heard from other inmates about this life sentence was that the solution was supposed to sustain my life, since we're gonna be there for eternity without food and water, and the pebble-like substance with sand-like material will be the only luxury of a bed we'll ever have. And once we're sucked in, the seal will be permanent and no magic or weapon could ever undo it. We would be kept in a dark cupboard along with all life sentence inmates in their jars, never to see the light for all eternity, alone in that jar with only our thoughts until we drive ourselves insane with solitude.

This was where we would be for the rest of our lives. Apart from each other, unable to see each other, unable to hear each other's voice and feel each other's loving touch.

The time has come. It was now time for us to drink the solution and serve our time.

No, this cannot happen!

I will not let it happen!

I will not be separated from my brother! Not like this!

We were both force-fed with the solution, but in the midst of the chaos and struggle, I managed to reach out for my brother's hand in time. They did not see me and by the time they did, we were already shrinking and I was sucked into the jar along with him, hand in hand, and try as they might, they couldn't get us out, even with guns and knives and magic chants and all the weapons in the world, and we watched in triumph as they try in vain.

We are now happily imprisoned together for eternity. We joined the other inmates' jars in that legendary life sentence cupboard and every once in a while, we would be taken out of the cupboard for the law enforcers to try a new weapon or a new spell so that they could extract either one of us out and separate us, and whenever they fail, our smug smile rubbed it in on their faces.

I can't wait to see their faces when my baby bump starts to show.

Disturbed

2012-01-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

An alien from another time and space
attended school in human form

She cursed people who bullied her
with a sort of German ancient language

Circled her finger around three girls
that bullied her the most

They ended up doing something
beyond their control.

The first girl found the tallest building
said something cheery
or she could be singing, I cannot remember

Leapt to her death a gajillion stories below,
her body tore a fire hydrant into pieces
before she breathed her last

Her spirit went and followed alongside
the other girls who were cursed
but they do not see her

The second girl was cursed
to be ridiculed for all eternity
from the tips of her core to the depths of her soul

To the point where she could no longer take it
and she went up onto a tree and hung herself
and her spirit joined the march

The third girl was cursed to walk forever, never stopping
She walked until she was literally starving and dehydrating

And even though she couldn't walk anymore,
her body kept on going
Crawling as she dragged her tired feet

Someone found her and took her in
but she still suffered the curse
and couldn't stop walking

Round and round in circles within the compound she went
Until some of the kids got sick of it
and chopped off all her limbs

But the curse will not make her stop
as she wriggled around the ground like a snake

They struck her head
and put her out of her misery

And into the march she went

New Year's Quotes, Stories and Prayers

2011-12-31T01:50:00.000-08:00

What’s in a Name?. . . . . . . . . . . . .Complete Speaker’s Almanac, p. 22

"Here we are in a month named after the Roman god Janus, an appropriate personification of the start of the new year. This particular Roman god had two faces so that he could look ahead toward the future and back at the past at the same time. As we get rid of an old year and look forward to a new one, we all try to be a little like Janus. We know through experience what we did wrong and what we did right, and hope to do better this year. Some people make ambitious new year’s resolutions; others just take a deep breath and hope for the best.…"

To Start A New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

Recipe for a Happy New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

I Am the New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bible Illustrator

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

A Year of Time. . . . . . . . . . . . Steven B. Cloud, Pulpit Helps, Vol. 14, # 2

…Though even thinking on the subject of time may prove discomforting, it is not a bad idea—especially at the beginning of a new year.

As we look into we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.

The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak—every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.

Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust it. Time marches on.

And you cannot bring back time. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year’s block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it.

Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God.

The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?

Time for New Beginnings. . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Addison, Blue Mountain Arts, 1989

"This is a time for reflection as well as celebration.

As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life,

Remember each experience for the good that has come of it
and for the knowledge you have gained.

Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.

Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.

Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.

And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.

Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings
and the celebration of life."

A New Year’s Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

Dear Lord, please give me…
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humor;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.

A New Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Arthur Ward

Another fresh new year is here …
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest …
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!

A New Year’s Prayer

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

A Prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier.
May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always. Amen.

"A Morning Wish". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.R. Hunt

"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?

Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.
A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.
A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
An understanding heart.
A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.
A sense of humor and the power to laugh.
A little leisure with nothing to do.
A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.
And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."

Guide words: An Anthology of Inspiration and Humor, p. 13

New Year’s Message

"I asked the New Year for some message sweet,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet;
I asked, and paused: it answered soft and low,
‘God’s will to know.’

‘Will knowledge then suffice, New Year?’ Aloud I cried.
And, ere the question into silence died,
The answer came, ‘Nay, but remember, too
God’s will to do.’

Once more I asked, ‘Is there no more to tell?’
And once again the answer sweetly fell,
‘Yes! this thing, all other things above:
God’s will to love.’"

Guidewords: An Anthology of Inspiration and Humor

New Year’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous

"Heavenly Father, for this coming year
Just one request I bring.

I do not pray for happiness or any earthly thing.
I do not ask to understand the way you lead me;
But this I ask—teach me to do the thing that pleases You.
I want to know Your guiding voice,
To walk with you each day.

Heavenly Father,
Make me swift to hear and ready to obey;
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be,

If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleases You."

A Prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ,
Be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide,
And our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage,
And our Sanctifier.

May this new year be a time
Of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming
Your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely
And unconditionally,
A time for growing
In virtue and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always.
Amen.

Pacem in Terris

Pope John XXIII, 4/11/63

"May He banish from the hearts of all men and women whatever might endanger peace.

May He transform them into witnesses of truth, justice and love.

May He enkindle the rulers of peoples so that in addition to their solicitude for the proper welfare of their citizens, they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.

May He enkindle the wills of all so that they may overcome the barriers that divide, cherish the bonds of mutual charity, understand others, and pardon those who have done them wrong.

May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters, and may the most longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always among men and women."

Taken from Appleseeds.org

Coward

2011-11-25T01:06:00.000-08:00

Not everything falls into your plan
Maybe luck just wasn't on my side
I don't know why it's you that I love
Maybe it's better to let you go

It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her
This isn't fair, isn't fair, oh, for me
It's not fair for you to ask
If I love you too
It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her

You never tried to understand me
The love you proclaimed, you never show
And the moment I am lost
A burden you never tried to lift

It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her
This isn't fair, isn't fair, oh, for me
It's not fair for you to ask
If I love you too
You are not mine

And I am a coward
Admitting my love for you
A thousand times I tried to say it
when you're with me
You are not mine
And you know it
You are not mine

(Loosely translated from a Malaysian song sung by Yuna)

Heavenly Promises on Mended Wings

2011-11-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

The sweetest melodies are those sung from the heart
The softest harmonies are when two souls mend together
Why then do people say it's love that tears them apart?
When it's with love that you can stand the stormy weather

When I met you, Spring was here, and the birds were nesting
I looked into your soft eyes and saw the prettiest smile
Heaven pulled down her veil and offered her most sacred blessing
I've met an angle, I couldn't help but to smile

Sitting by the pool of life, reflecting upon its surface
I think of others and I get a little ripple
I think of you, and a wave swells, spraying my face
You said you wouldn't cry, but I see the tears start to trickle

Some people don't believe in love at first sight
Obviously they haven't seen you
Drifting on love's endless blissful flight
I'm so glad I met you

(Poem by Mike Lewis)

The Sultan and The Beggar

2011-11-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

There was a Sultan who loved to play tricks on people and derived pleasure from seeing people tortured from his cruel jokes. He likes to disguise himself as a commoner and goes around looking for his victims so that he can play his sick jokes on.

One day, while disguised as a traveller, he found a drunken beggar who wished more in the world to have the destiny to become a sultan. The Sultan knew he found the perfect victim. He made him drunk to the point of unconsciousness, took him back to the palace, cleaned, shaved, dressed and perfumed him and let him lie on the bed while he disguised himself as one of the palace guards to watch his joke in play.

As expected, when the beggar woke up to find himself in the sultan's palace and everyone calling him 'Your Majesty' and all that, he was driven crazy, and the Sultan went almost mad with laughter as he watched the poor beggar trying to figure out whether it was a dream or not. The subjects had no choice but to play along with the Sultan's joke for fear of being beheaded if they give away the secret.

But what the Sultan did not expect was that the beggar soon believed that he was the Sultan and unlike the real Sultan, he took his role very seriously and actually began to care for his subjects. The real Sultan didn't think this joke was funny anymore, and decided to end it by drugging him, strip him off his fancy clothes and throw him back to the streets where he belongs.

The poor beggar woke up finding himself in the streets again as a beggar and went almost mad, shouting throughout the streets that he was a sultan, which earned him a trip to prison. The Sultan giggled as he watched the beggar trying to convince himself that he was the sultan, but slowly eased in to the fact that he wasn't. The Sultan decided to play the same trick again to him by repeating the same process: drugging him and changing him back to the lavish Sultan's clothes.

When the beggar woke up again in his fancy state, he again went crazy, screaming "No, it's happening again~!" But this time, the tables were turned. The Sultan made a mistake by hiding behind the wardrobe while watching him going crazy while his subjects tried to calm him down, and while he laughed out loud, the beggar thought it was demons playing a joke on him and took a nearby dagger and stabbed the Sultan in the wardrobe to death.

The subjects were a little distraught. The Sultan had no heir and there would be a civil war if the news of Sultan's death ever got out. They decided to cover it up by saying to anyone who asked that the Sultan had went on a holy pilgrimage to Mecca and had asked his friend to take over. After agreeing to that decision, they tended to the beggar who is the current "Sultan".

"Who was that?" the beggar asked.

"Oh, that's the royal jester," they replied. "Don't mind him. His last joke was a killer, anyways."

And soon the beggar became the most well-loved Sultan among his subjects and the old Sultan was, through time, completely forgotten

Moral: Never tell the same joke twice

Together Forever

2011-11-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

ACT Ⅰ

Long ago,

When Gods were still living on earth with mankind,

Zhurong, God of Fire, made three zithers out of wood of Mount Yao.

They were called Huanglai, Luanlai and Fenglai.

Zhurong cherished them very much,

Especially Fenglai.

He played with Fenglai frequently,

Which made Fenglai a spirit.

The spirit had a form of mankind,

And could speak with Zhurong.

Zhurong was so delighted

That he requested Goddess Nuwa to bring a true life to him.

Zhurong treated him as his son,

And named him Prince Changqin.

ACT Ⅱ

Prince Changqin was soft and quiet.

He enjoyed playing zither in Mount Yao,

Thus making good friends with Qianyu,

A water snake living there.

Though Qianyu was vulnerable,

He considered himself unique

That one day he would become a great dragon.

He promised Prince Changqin

That he would carry Changqin around the world

As long as he could fly freely in the sky as a great dragon.

ACT Ⅲ

Hundreds of years passed by.

King of Gods, Fuxi, became so unsatisfied with mankind

That he decided to take all gods to the Heaven,

Leaving human behind.

Prince Changqin didn’t want to leave.

He loved the life in Mount Yao,

But had to bid farewell to Qianyu.

It took three hundred days for the gods to build the Heavenly Palace.

After all was over,

Prince Changqin went to Mount Yao

Only to find Qianyu vanished.

He then realized that

One day in heaven equals one year on earth.

Three hundred years had elapsed.

He could not see Qianyu any more.

ACT Ⅳ

Time flies.

Thousands of years later, a black dragon appeared in the south,

Causing trouble while playing in the southern sea.

The dragon hurt the god who was sent to punish him,

Fleeing into Mount Buzhou.

God of Fire, God of Water and Prince Changqin

Were sent to capture the dragon.

Unexpectedly,

The dragon was formerly water snake Qianyu.

What’s more,

The three gods accidentally destroyed the Pillar in Mount Buzhou,

Which was key to holding up the heaven.

The collapse of the Pillar brought a serious disaster to the whole world.

ACT Ⅴ

It took all gods a long time and great efforts

To rescue the world from the disaster.

Qianyu was punished to be subordinate to Goddess of Chishui,

Deprived of freedom.

Zhurong and Gonggong were

Thrown into prison for a thousand years.

Prince Changqin was descended from the Heaven,

Becoming an ordinary human being.

He was no longer immortal,

And was cursed to be lonely forever

In his life time.

Thence in Heaven,

a black dragon Appeared,

a talented zither player Disappeared.

ACT Ⅵ

The body of Prince Changqin was destroyed,

But his sprint was left lingering in Mount Yao.

A craftsman of Longyuan clan, Jiaoli, caught his soul

And split it into ten parts.

He fashioned the core part and other four into an evil sword.

The remaining parts of the sprint in agony attached to Jiaoli’s newly-born son,

Escaping the doom to fade out.

Jiaoyue often stared at the sword in his childhood,

Seeming to be telepathic with it.

Later, the evil sword was taken away and sealed

By Goddess Nuwa.

Jiaoyue suffered from losing the sword,

thus committed suicide.

ACT Ⅶ

Like as a river always goes forward, so does time.

No matter what happened,

The prosperity and collapse of Longyuan clan,

The evil sword, even the great disaster,

All faded away in the river of history.

So is the fate of Prince Changqin.

Time is as long as an infinite river.

Nothing is eternal.

Only I

Was left in the rift of time

In endless solitude.

(Poem by ~hazhangzhong)

Roads: Book 5-Loneliness

2011-11-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

Jason let out a sigh of relief as he plopped himself onto the sofa. It was another long, hard day at the office, as usual. He lit himself a cigarette and took a long pull. The phone rang a few minutes later but he didn’t bother to answer. The answering machine did the job for him.

“Hello? Jason? You’re still not home yet? Come on, man, stop hiding from me. Look, I got a gorgeous gal that I’m sure you’ll be interested in. you can be friends with her, for starters. Call me.”

As soon as Jason heard his friend hang up, he deleted the message. He refused to have anything to do with him. He trusted no one. No one at all. No gorgeous chic was going to draw his attention. He had himself to himself, and that’s that.

His living room seemed pretty empty after he got rid of all his photos. The last photo he had removed was the photo of his youngest daughter graduating from college. Aside from a few paintings, his walls were bare. Even the photo of him getting married with his wife (now his ex-wife) was burnt. It was as if he had cut off all relationship with every human in the world, including his own flesh and blood.

It felt really alone in the house he lived in, but he embraced the loneliness. After another long day surrounded by people he refused to trust (except his boss, which was a forced one), he was glad to be in a place with nobody at all. Nobody to trick him, nobody to cheat him, nobody to even rob him out of his happiness. He was glad to be alone.

Well, almost.

Occasionally, even loneliness bugs him.

--:--

Jason lay still on his bed, unable to sleep. The silence was pretty deafening, as if everyone in the whole world was dead, leaving him the only human alive. It even made his dark bedroom even darker.

It’s been almost 3 years since he lived in this completely solitude life. The first time he tried it, it drove him to tears every night. Almost every bedtime for the first few months, he cried himself to sleep. Now that e had gotten used to it, he was beginning to have second thoughts about choosing this type of life in the first place. The feeling of no one there to do him harm was OK, but the feeling of no one to talk to, to pour out his true feelings was quite bad. Maybe he should…

Jason shook his head. He almost lost his guard there. He chose this life and he himself thought that this life was better than anything else in the world. No way was he going back to the way he was. If he were to choose one thing, he’d better stick to it. He turned to one side and forced himself to fall asleep.

Moments later, he heard a faraway jingling. At first he tried to ignore it, but the jingling continued without stopping. It was a pleasant sound to hear, but if it goes on and on non-stop, it could be pretty annoying. And that’s how Jason felt. He got up in a thrice, picked up his baseball bat (he had it during high school) and rushed downstairs to see who was making such a racket at this ungodly hour.

He wasn’t kept in the dark for long—there, on his front door, hung a crystal bell hanging from a silver string, jingling and jangling like mad. Weird though, because it was jingling crazily when there wasn’t a whiff of wind anywhere.

“So you’re the one keeping me awake, eh?” Jason growled as he grabbed the bell. “I’ll show you what’s it like to mess with me!”

So saying, Jason brought the bell down to the solid floor hard, smashing it into a trillion pieces. If that wasn’t enough, he even brought his bat onto the pieces and almost clubbed it into dust. He couldn’t control himself. Somehow, he had vented all his pent-up anger onto that harmless little bell. He only stopped when he heard a loud bellow from the neighbour complaining about the noise.

“What am I doing?” Jason suddenly felt foolish of himself as he slumped down to the floor, panting slightly. He stared at the crystal dust on the floor and felt even more stupid.

All of a sudden, as if there was an invisible wind blowing, the crystal dust gathered together at Jason’s feet. It stayed there for a few seconds and, to Jason’s astonishment, began to mend itself back together again. The dust collected itself, forming into solid pieces and slowly stuck itself together, fragment by fragment, until it became the original crystal bell. The silver string even threaded itself into the bell’s tiny loop, making the finishing touch.

Jason stared long and hard at what he had just witnessed. It was too unbelievable. He pinched and slapped himself, thinking that he was having a very extraordinary dream. He wasn’t, though. He touched his forehead, thinking that he had gone mad. Maybe, maybe not. He poked at the crystal bell. It was real, alright. He suddenly felt himself unable to trust even his own judgments. He had to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him.

He picked up the bell and smashed it again, but this time without reducing it to dust. Again, the bell mended itself, like rewinding a scene from a video tape. He tried burning the bell, but the burnt mark disappeared almost immediately before his eyes. He tried flushing it down the toilet, but it was immediately spit out and was dry as a bone instantly.

Jason was dumbstruck. He had never come across anything as bizarre as this. The belt continued to jingle and jangle in Jason’s hand, pointing towards the direction of the door. Jason couldn’t help but ask the bell directly, “What is it you want?”

The bell pointed towards the door.

“You want me to go outside?”

The bell jingled urgently.

“Why?”

The bell stopped abruptly, as if hesitant to answer.

“I’m not going out there in the middle of the night if you don’t bloody tell me what’s going on.”
Jason felt utterly stupid talking to a bell, but there’s nothing else he could do to know the bell’s intention.

“If I take out my laptop, will you talk to me? I mean, type it out?”

The bell jingled softly.

Jason rushed to his study and hunted for his laptop. He had placed it in a small briefcase on the high shelf. He used to do that so that his kids would not attempt to do it in ruins. He was surprised that he still had that habit after his whole family left him. He took down the laptop, plugged it in and turned it on. After entering the Microsoft Word, he held the bell loosely over the keyboard and said, “OK. Type away.”

The bell remained unmoving.

“Come on now. Tell me who the heck you are.”

The bell moved slowly up and down, clicking onto the keyboard. Minus the punctuation and spaces, it was pretty easy to read.

YOUCANCALLMEANYTHINGYOULIKE

“Alright then, I’ll call you ‘Brat’.”

THATSNOTVERYNICE

“Well, you said I can call you anything I like! Besides, you woke me up in the middle of the night for no reason! Doesn’t that sound like what a brat would do?”

SORRY

“What is it you want from me?”

GOOUTFULFILLYOURDESTINY

Jason wrinkled his nose. “Destiny? What destiny? What do you mean by that?”

SEEKANDYOUWILLFIND

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. This has got to be crap, right? I mean…”

The bell was moving faster now that it was being denied and ignored: SEEKANDYOUWILLFINDYOURDESTINYAWAITSYOUHAVETOTRUSTME

“Woah, woah, woah! Hold your horses! Trust you? I’m sorry but I don’t trust anybody. Not anymore!”

The bell kept still for a couple of seconds, then started typing: THENYOULLHAVETOLEARNAGAIN

“I’ve out my trust on people and they end up stabbing me in the back. How would I know you bloody won’t stab me in the back too?”

IDONTINEVERWILL

“Yeah, right!”

TRUSTMEFORNOW

Jason stared at the bell. He began to contemplate its words. Should he or should he not trust the bell? It’s just a thing, not a person that would betray him just like others did, yet it’s quite alive, to be exact, so it can be regarded as a person, not a thing. He had lost his trust in everyone around him; could he be able to put trust on a thing that has a mind of a person? Would he be able to even start trusting somebody or…anybody? Jason let out a long sigh.

“Where shall we go?”

The bell jingled before replying: IWILLLEADTHEWAY

“What am I supposed to do now? Cease to exist?”

LEAVEYOURPASTBEHINDLEAVEEVERYTHINGYOUONCEWEREBEHINDJUSTSTARTPACKINGWHATISNECESSARYANDLETDESTINYDOTHEREST

“Whatever you say. But I’m bringing this laptop, so we can talk.”

ASYOUWISH

Jason got up, went to his bedroom and rummaged through his cupboard. He took out a few pairs of boxers, some socks, some men’s underwear, a few T-shirts and jeans and a number of casual wears, some formal clothes and a few different kinds of shoes—sneakers, shoes with shoelaces, sport shoes—two or three pairs each. He threw out a suitcase and stuffed them all into it. Then he grabbed a backpack and filled it with anything edible from the kitchen: canned food, junk food, a few cans of beer and a few instant cup noodles, tea bags and instant coffee packets with a flask to go with. He even stuffed a few books between them. He had never felt so busy before in his life.

Finally, he checked his wallet. He threw away all his credit cards and business cards that were piling in it, leaving one credit card, which was his favourite. He knew he had to give it up as soon as he finds himself unable to pay the debts, but he kept it anyway. He made sure his identity card was there, of course, and his driving license. Apart from these and a few thousand bucks, the whole wallet was pretty light and empty, much to his surprise.

Roads: Book 4-Holiday Hotel

2011-11-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Mr. Taylor got off the car and handed the keys to the bell-boy, saying, “Park it away from the sun, please.”

The bell-boy nodded and took the wheel. He waited until every family member of the Taylors got off the car before starting the car and driving off. The Taylor kids cheered with glee.

“Yippee! Holidays at last!” Tony cheered as he flung his cap up with triumph. His brother, Clement, did the same.

“I can’t wait to try out the swimming pool!” Zoë, the eldest daughter declared. “I heard that the decors at the indoor swimming pool are simply exotic!”

“I want to try the playground! I want to try the playground!” The twins Clara and Clarice chided in, giggling like a pair of naughty hyenas.

“Now, now, children. One at a time,” Mrs. Taylor tried to quiet down her 5 bickering children. The bell-boy came back with their suitcases and placed them on the trolley. Mr. Taylor went to check in while the children feasted their eyes at the beautiful hotel.

It was a 5-star hotel, very new in the industry and pretty high-classed. It had decors and the architecture of various country cultures; from the bodacious Swedish to the suave French to the courteous Spain and even to the poetic Athens and Greek. It even has the splash of Asian, Russian and even their local English air. It was all in one, and yet they did not clash with each other. Each culture seemed to have peace with each other and blended in with their surroundings. It was so grand that even the king’s castle seemed like a squatter’s area. It opened a few months ago and Mr. Taylor thought it would be OK to spend the holidays with his family here.

“Enchanted Nite Hotel. Not a bad name for a high-classed hotel,” Mr. Taylor commented after taking the room keys, “I feel enchanted already!”

“What room are we, dear?” Mrs. Taylor enquired.

“Room 5012.”

“There are so many portraits, Dad!” Clement exclaimed, astonished. “What are they for?”

“It’s just decors, kid,” the bell-boy explained as he led the Taylor family to their room. “The manager is quite eccentric, you see. He hates leaving the walls bare. Even his own room is filled with frames of pictures.”

The five siblings watched from left to right. Every wall has at least one portrait or a beautiful exotic painting. There were even replica paintings of famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh. There’s even a replica painting of Mona Lisa on the wall next to the Taylors’ room.

“It’s kinda creepy,” Zoë shuddered as she stared at the smiling Mona Lisa. “It’s like being watched wherever you go.”

“Well, we’ll be here for a week’s stay,” Tony replied nonchalantly, “so I guess we’ll just have to get used to it.”

“Alright, kids,” Mr. Taylor voiced out, “put your suitcases into the cupboard and take out whatever you need. You can go and enjoy yourselves silly. Your mom and I will be right here if you need us.”

The 5 children cheered with glee as they grabbed their swimsuits and stuff before leaving Room 5012.

--:--

Tony and Clement couldn’t sleep. They tossed and turned and tried many sleeping positions to get comfortable but in vain. Tony was also beginning to get a headache. He cursed himself for being so nosy with the 3-in-1 instant coffee.

Zoë, Clara and Clarice had dared Tony and Clement to drink coffee. As their parents went down to the lounge to enjoy a little happy hour, the children decided to fool around with the facilities of the room. They’ve tried the bathtub, the mini-fridge, the satellite TV, everything. Once they’ve come across the 3-in-1 instant coffee packets, all hell broke loose. The children knew that their parents have strictly forbidden them to drink coffee until they’re old enough, and the ‘taboo’ seemed tempting. The sisters dared the brothers to drink the instant coffee since they’re not ready to take the risk themselves.

“Why don’t you drink it, since you’re eager enough?” Tony asked suspiciously.

“Because we are girls and you’re not!” Zoë insisted.

“So what if you’re girls? Mom drinks coffee too!” Clement complained.

“That’s because she’s a grown up, and she’s older,” Clara and Clarice said together. They always say things at the right timing. “Besides, you both are much older than us put together! So you drink it!”

And so they did. Without realizing it, the boys have gulped down 5 tall glasses of instant coffee (added sugar), and now they couldn’t sleep, with Tony having a headache due to the caffeine.

“I can’t sleep, Tony,” Clement whined, rubbing his eyes.

“Neither can I. and I’m getting a splitting headache. Blast that coffee!” Tony hissed and massaged his temples.

“Let’s take a walk. It might tire us out and wear off the coffee.”

“Alright. I need some ice for my head anyway.”

Slowly and silently, Tony and Clement climbed out of bed. Clement took the keys while Tony got a thin towel from the bathroom. They tiptoed across the room, opened the door and crept out silently. No one stirred. So far, so good.

They took the lift and went down to the 2nd floor, where the ice-vending machine was. Tony held out the towel while Clement pushed the button. A silent humming sounded and the ice-cubes clattered out into Tony’s towel. Tony gratefully wrapped the ice-cubes and held it on his throbbing head with a sigh of relief.

“You know,” Clement said, his voice echoing down the empty corridors. “Zoë’s right. It is kinda creepy with all these portraits and pictures. It’s like those portraits’ eyes are following you wherever you go.”

“Hush!” Tony hissed, rubbing the ice on his forehead. “You’re being paranoid! They’re just paintings, what more can they do to us?”

“I don’t know. I mean, it’s pretty scary, really. It kinda feels like Hauntsville, with all those paintings. I, for one wouldn’t be walking around here if you weren’t coming with me.”

“Come on! Don’t be such a scaredy-cat! It’s supposed to be weird like this. After all, it is a new hotel with its own new style!”

“Well…I suppose you’re right then. It does have its own—shh! You hear something?”

Tony tilted his head, trying to hear whatever it is Clement had heard. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

“I don’t hear anything. Now stop being paranoid…”

“Shh!! Be quiet! Try to listen harder!” Clement hissed insistently, a solemn look running across his face.

Tony decided to humour Clement and pretended to pay attention. He didn’t have to pretend for long—he actually heard someone whispering to another in an urgent tone, like some sort of argument. Tony took Clement’s hand and tried to find the source of the sound, completely forgetting his throbbing headache. The voices led them to an empty lobby at the end of the guest rooms’ corridor. The lobby was really empty—no chairs and tables, no sofas, nothing. The bell-boy did tell them that the lobby was under renovation, but it looked perfectly fine. In fact, it was so fine that Tony and Clement was beginning to wonder why it needed any renovations at all.

Tony felt the walls for the source of the voices. Tony was pretty good at this—it’s as if his hands were doing the listening. It led him to a portrait of the famous writer Mary Shelley (who wrote the book ‘Frankenstein’). The portrait was beautiful—a flawless, young woman dressed in clothes of the 18th century. Tony stuck his ear onto the wall and listened, and as expected, the voices were quite clear, although still a little bit of a mumbling sort. Clement was prying the portrait with curious hands when all of a sudden, it opened, like a miniature door. Tony was quite taken aback but regained his composure quite quickly. Taking Clement’s hand, he stepped into the dark secret passageway.

The passageway was pretty cold and dim. All the walls were made of cold steel and the floor was of solid metal. At this part of the place, there were neither portraits nor paintings. Everything was bare. It was so contradicting with the way the hotel walls were decorated.

“What is this place?” Clement’s whispers echoed through the passageway.

“Shh! Don’t even whisper!” Tony hissed urgently. “Look! There’s a little bit of light! My goodness, this is a laboratory!”

So it was. In fact, it was a very, very high-tech lab—the whole place was filled with weird-looking gadgets and astonishing machinery, and there were lab instruments of all kinds everywhere. There was an incubator at the end of the lab and there were a few more phials and cone glasses filled with bubbling concoctions. Test-tubes, syringes and even complicated medical instruments like scalpels and surgery scissors were also there.

“Woah! This is way cool!” Clement started but was stopped by Tony from getting too near the lab stuff.

“Stay low to the ground, you idiot! I think I hear the voice owners now!”

Tony was right; there were people in the lab, somewhere at the far corner. Clement was lucky that they didn’t notice him when he was advancing towards the lab table. It was a couple—scientists wearing clean white robes which had a distant disinfectant smell on them. The man was clean-shaven and was quite young, and surprisingly, he turned out to the bell-boy who carried their luggage that afternoon! The woman, on the other hand, was a stranger to them. A blonde and very solemn-looking at that.

“Have the Rangers being dispatched?” the woman asked in a serious, no-nonsense tone, without even a trace of joy on her face.

“Yes, Shenna, they have. They should be back here with Project No.69 now,” the bell-boy answered, not looking at her directly in the eye.

“Now? NOW?! Yeah, right! You call 5 hours ago ‘now’? I’m beginning to doubt your Rangers. I should’ve used my Rangers instead! They’re more capable!” Shenna snorted haughtily.

“They maybe slow, but they’re the best in my team!” the bell-boy rebutted her. “Or do you want me to dispatch the Predators?”

“No, no! Absolutely not! I will not hear of it! The Predators kill without a cause and kill without mercy. They’ll ruin Project No.69!”

“What’s so important about Project No.69? We have plenty of other Projects to deal with and you only care about him!”

“You don’t understand, Roger,” Shenna replied, pretending to be interested with her laptop. “Project No.69 is very valuable.”

“Yeah, right,” Roger, the bell-boy, snorted back. “And I suppose it’s because he’s finally turned out be better than the former Projects?”

“Yes. He’s perfect in every way. Both physically and mentally.”

“No shit!”

“Yes. He’s the only Super Human ever successfully created.”

“Only that you made a simple glitch,” Roger folded his arms and stared at her mockingly.

“What glitch?” Shenna was taken aback.

“You messed up his chromosomes. You turned him into a gay.”

“It wasn’t my fault! It just happened! I can’t exactly control everything that’s growing in his body, you know!”

“Then he’s not perfect. He’s a casualty.”

“Of course he’s perfect! OK, so maybe he’s turned into a homosexual, but he’s perfect in every way! Unlike those failed mutants, he excelled! He’s everything we’ve wished to create on him! He’s the one, the Super Human we’ve been wanting for!”

Tony and Clement have heard everything. Although it was still quite vague, the boys got the basics: they created a creature, a very powerful creature, they’ve accidentally lost him, and now they want the creature back.

“It’s just like a sci-fi movie, Tony! This is so cool! We’re in the middle of a high-tech conspiracy!” Clement was so excited, he almost wanted to shout it out loud.

“This is so unreal!” Tony could hardly believe his eyes and ears. “This exotic hotel is actually a cover-up for a high-class secret government project! My goodness, it’s like we’re acting in the X-Files! I don’t believe it!”

“Believe it, Tony. That’s exactly what these scientists are saying.”

“We’ll need more blood samples,” the boys hushed when they heard Shenna talking. “Have we got anymore new guests?”

“Quite a few. I must say the Taylor family is the best candidate…”

That was the last straw. Tony and Clement have heard enough to warn their parents and sisters. They knew that they wouldn’t believe them, but one way or another, they have to take their family out of the hotel before Roger and Shenna take them as their next project. Slowly, they crept out of the lab, hurried down the cold passageway, climbed as silent as possible out from behind the portrait and dashed back to the lift, wishing with all their might that they’ll be in time before it’s too late.

--:--

Zoë noticed Tony and Clement’s absence. She didn’t drink coffee, but she was quite a light sleeper and pretty sensitive. Any silent movement would stir her up in no time.

She heard her brothers saying something about getting ice for Tony’s head and about taking a walk to wear out the coffee effect. She grinned secretly—she felt darn lucky for not touching the coffee. She peeped quietly as the boys crept out of the room before going back to sleep.

Now she was awakened by a silent jingling of bells. Slowly, she sat up and listened again. Yes, there it was, that jingling again. She got off her bed to find out where the jingling came from. The twins Clara and Clarice stirred. Either they have also heard the jingling or that Zoë’s movement woke them up, it didn’t matter to Zoë. She just wanted to find the source of the sound.

She found herself standing in front of the huge bathroom mirror. A crystal bell hanging from a silver string was stuck on the rim of the mirror. It jingled like wind chimes, constantly knocking against the mirror. Weirdly, it did not make any tapping noises when it hit the mirror. Instead, it made ripples on it, like the ripples made on water when a stone was thrown into it. Zoë was utterly fascinated.

“Wow! What is that?” Obviously the twins have also seen the same thing as Zoë did.

“I don’t know…but I got a feeling…The mirror is calling me,” Zoë gazed in wonder, advancing slowly towards the mirror. “It’s calling me…I have a mission to do…”

Almost suddenly, Tony and Clement barged into the room, panting like dogs. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor stirred a little before they turned and dozed off again. Zoë broke her eye contact from the mirror and stared at her brothers in astonishment.

“We-We have to get out of here! Wake-Mom and Dad up, we’ll explain-everything!” Tony panted, gasping for breath.

“You might not believe it at first, but it’s true!” Clement agreed. “Hurry up! Why the dilly-dally?”

The twins pointed at the rippling mirror and the bell. It took Tony and Clement 10 seconds to absorb everything that they were witnessing before their eyes. The atmosphere was pretty tense—with only the bells and no other noises about. Come to think of it, it was pretty unreal.

“What…What is going on here?” Tony broke the silence at last. “What the hell is going on here? Why is this happening to us?”

“I don’t know, Tony. But I got a feeling that it is meant for us to find out,” Zoë replied, reaching for the bell. “It’s our destiny. We are chosen to do this task.”

“What task? Why so mysterious all of a sudden?” Clement was quite surprised at how calm Zoë was about all the strange happenings.

“The task will be revealed if we search it, Clement. We have to do this. Come with me.”
Tony and Clement hesitated. Part of them felt unbelievable about all this, yet another part of them felt that they should embrace this destiny, only that the mirror wasn’t their destiny but something else. As if answering the boys’ question, Tony’s foot kicked on another crystal bell tied with a silver string. He bent down to pick it up, and immediately the bell was pointing the opposite direction, towards the main door.

“Come with me, Tony, Clement. Our destiny awaits,” Zoë was clutching her bell and moving backwards to the mirror.

Tony stared at his bell for a few moments, then said, “No. We can’t. This is our destiny, not that one. Clara, Clarice, you go with Zoë. You’re meant for that.”

The twins were only too eager to follow. They took Zoë’s hand and waved goodbye to the boys. The thought of saying farewell to their parents didn’t even cross their minds; as if the urging of the bell and the call of the mirror was more important to them. Slowly, Zoë and the twins disappeared into the mirror, making a large ripple on it. Then, silence.

Tony and Clement crept slowly towards the bed where their parents slept and gave them each a kiss. Then, Tony took Clement’s hand and followed wherever the bell was pointing. They found themselves being led to the Mary Shelley portrait again. This time, they were ready.

All was quiet after they stepped into the passageway behind the portrait.

Roads: Book 3-Alan and AJ

2011-11-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

AJ glanced across the lecture hall at the tall, slim Alan. He couldn’t help it. He had to at least look at him once before he could concentrate in his lessons. It was like Alan was a stimulator for AJ to carry on with his daily routine for the day.

AJ did a little doodle on his textbook. He knew almost everything the teacher was teaching, and was probably way advanced than the teachers themselves. He had read almost all of the books in the library and can at least understand the basics of the subjects taught in senior classes. He even jumped a far distance during PE lessons today with no difficulty at all. The students were beginning to give him the ‘eye’ again.

He was special and he knew very well that his special talent would attract attention. Keeping a low profile wasn’t easy, but he managed it quite well. He learned not to be a show-off in class and helped his fellow classmates out in their weak subjects as well as possible. Many looked up at him as a role model and many girls adored him. Almost every year, his desk would be piled with Valentine cards and little gifts.

But there was one little secret that he kept from the world besides being special. AJ was a gay. He must admit that he noticed a lot of girls who were very beautiful, but they didn’t catch his attention. Not one bit. He couldn’t help it. He just couldn’t bring himself to like girls. When Alan transferred into his class, AJ was love-struck on that spot. By then he knew that he’s a gay and he’s in love with a man.

Alan was a friendly guy. He made friends with AJ almost immediately and they were always together ever since. The only time they’re not together was when the lecture hall was full and there were only 2 separate seats left. That was AJ’s worst nightmare.

“It’s very normal for men to fall into gayinism,” Doc said. “in fact, the reason why you became gay is due to your chromosomes.”

Doc was AJ’s personal robot physician. He looked like the short, stout robot in Star Wars but quite talkative. AJ didn’t know where he came from. All he remembered was that Doc has been with him all his life. His parents were unknown, strangers to him.

“Your parents passed away when you’re only a month old. I was entitled to be your legal guardian,” Doc said when AJ asked him about his parents a few years ago, and said nothing more. AJ never asked him again since.

“Is it wrong to be a gay?” AJ was still doubtful.

“There is no right or wrong in gayinism or lesbianism. It’s what humans think that makes it right or wrong.”

AJ nodded. He trusted Doc’s words. He’s been looking and advising him for the past 15 years, so there’s no point doubting his words now.

“When is your camp night?” Doc asked as he glided to the kitchen. “Is Alan going?”

“Tomorrow. Of course Alan’s going. I wouldn’t be going if he’s not!” AJ replied, blushing a little.

“I wonder what the two of you would do…”

There was a sly tone in Doc’s voice. AJ blushed redder and flung a cushion at Doc. Doc laughed as he glided away to prepare dinner.

--:--

“Right! Who wants drinks?”

A dozen hands or so shot up, including Alan and AJ. The teacher walked around passing the drinks to them. Alan and AJ both got chrysanthemum tea.

“Let’s go somewhere else! It’s too noisy here!” Alan shouted amidst the loud Linkin Park music. AJ nodded and took Alan’s arm, pulling him towards a creek which was somewhere near the camp inside the forest. There, the trees blocked out most of the ear-popping music.

AJ and Alan were chitchatting on the way to the creek when suddenly Alan tripped. The grass broke his fall and he wasn’t injured. But the bottom of the drink packet Alan was holding broke and split, letting the tea leak out like a runny faucet.

“Darn those tree roots! They can really get away with murder someday!” Alan complained, frustrated. He tried to finish the drink before everything leaked out of sight but in vain—the tea was escaping much faster than he could drink. As a last resort, he sucked it from the split bottom.

AJ was watching him all the while he was doing it. The hole was bigger than his puckered mouth, so the tea actually leaked out from the corner of his mouth. It trickled down to his chin, and some ran down his neck. Alan held out his hand below his chin and the tea droplets fell onto his palm. Alan was closing his eyes as he did all this—he always closed his eyes when he’s engrossed in something. AJ continued to stare as Alan resolved to lick the remaining tea away. His heart raced to an uncontrollable level.

Everything except Alan was a fuzzy blur to AJ now. Alan was somewhat moving in slow motion in his eyes: the way he sucked the last few drops of tea, the way he licked his bottom lip, the way his hand brushed his chin and neck and the way he licked his hand. Everything he did with his eyes closed was very seductive to him. AJ’s heart pumped even faster. He felt his face burning like hell, as if he was on fire. He couldn’t think straight anymore. He had lost control of his hands and feet and of his emotions. Only his intention stood tall—to claim Alan and make him his. He caught Alan unaware and placed his lips on Alan’s, kissing deeply; so deep that AJ thought he was trying to eat Alan whole…

When he opened his eyes, then he realized what he had done. Alan was staring at him in disbelief, quivering like a frightened rabbit. His eyes gave AJ a sign of utmost disbelief, shock and hurt, as if being betrayed by someone he had trusted. Instinctively, AJ let Alan go and apologized profusely.

“I’m…I’m sorry, Alan! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know what got into me, Alan. I’m so sorry. It…It won’t happen again…”

Before AJ could continue, Alan seized him by the collar. AJ shut his eyes tight, waiting for Alan’s blow. He almost shrank when he saw Alan’s eyes burned with fury, an anger only seen when a predator is eyeing its prey. Then, almost suddenly, he felt Alan’s lips on his, his tongue slid down almost near his throat. It was lucky he didn’t choke. It lasted about 30 seconds before they parted.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Alan’s eyes brimming with tears. He was still quivering, only that it wasn’t as violent as before. He was trying to stop himself from sobbing but his shaking shoulders betrayed him. He flung himself onto AJ’s chest and sobbed like a little child who lost his mother. Tentatively, AJ wrapped his arms around Alan. A few minutes later, Alan ceased sobbing and whispered, “Kiss me, AJ. Kiss me again.”

AJ smiled. He has misinterpreted Alan’s eyes all along. He held Alan’s face and kissed him as deep as before. It was obvious that Alan like it, as he wrapped his arms around AJ’s waist and returned his kiss. Things were getting quite saucy hot (they were in the verge of stripping each other naked there and then) when something fell on AJ’s head. It jingled as it fell onto the earth. AJ bent to pick it up and held it under the moonlight to see.

It was a beautiful, dainty little thing. It was a crystal bell hanging from a silver string. It jingled and jangled and sounded like wind chimes. It sparkled and glittered as it caught the moonlight.

“Oh, that’s beautiful! It’s so cute!” Alan cooed in delight as he fingered the bell.

“Since no one owns it, you might as well take it,” AJ said as he handed the bell to Alan.

“Oh, AJ. Can I really?”

“Why not? I don’t see anybody running out asking for it. Take it, Alan. As my first present for you.”

Alan smiled sheepishly as he took the bell. He wounded the string around his wrist. AJ wrapped his arms around Alan’s waist and licked his ear. Alan let out a soft moan.

“Wanna go to my house after camp?” AJ whispered to Alan’s ear.

“Is that an ‘invitation’?” Alan asked naughtily.

“What do you think?”

“Well…I have no objections to that…”

“Good,” AJ said and kissed his cheek.

--:--

AJ’s night light was on. Elsewhere in his room was pretty dark. Though AJ had the air-conditioner on, he and Alan were covered with beads of sweat. Alan laid on his stomach, clutching the bed sheet. He had his face on the pillow, letting out muffled moans and groans of pleasure with each thrust AJ gave him.

AJ was all over him. He sniffed his hair. He nibbled his ear. He let his tongue run from Alan’s neck down to the back of his sensitive spine. He stroked his thighs as he slowly inched his legs apart for more room. He thrust Alan again and again, each one harder than before, pushing into the soft opening. He heard Alan’s muffled moans and thrust harder, exhilarated.

“Ooh, AJ…” Alan moaned, his face burning, his whole body getting all spiced up.

“Does it feel good?” AJ whispered as he licked the back of his ear.

“Yes…Oh, yes…”

“Say it out loud. I wanna hear you say it.”

“It feels so good…” Alan whispered. It was obvious that he was still feeling a little sheepish.

“Louder. I can’t hear you,” AJ encouraged him.

“It feels so good…! So good…! Yes…”

“Louder,” AJ thrust in harder and deeper, over and over again.

“YES! YES! OH, OH, YES! MORE!”

Doc, who was at the living room, had to turn a deaf ear awkwardly over the ‘racket’. If robots could blush, he’d surely would. It was AJ’s private affairs and he didn’t want to interfere. He did say being gay was OK and he had no intention to bother those two lovebirds. When AJ brought Alan home, Doc was impressed at how good-looking he was. It was no wonder AJ would fall heads over heels over him.

Suddenly, Doc was attacked from behind. He was pushed to the ground and was surrounded by several boot-wearing feet. His head was not built to look up, so he couldn’t see who they were. He could hear them though.

“Where’s Project No. 69?” A gruff voice demanded. Doc recognized it.

“You…!”

“Where is he? Where is Project No. 69?”

“I don’t know,” Doc had to say something to defend AJ. He knew they had come for him.

“Don’t play games with me, QX5.5! You have abducted Project No. 69 and kept him under your custody for 15 years! Now where is he?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Doc felt his head bashed by something heavy, like a sledgehammer. He groaned and shut himself off. He wasn’t going to give anymore answers. Playing dead seemed like a good idea. Though shut off, his mind is still clear inside and he hoped that no one will find AJ.

“Check the place out! Leave no stone unturned! We have to get Project No. 69 back to the lab!”

There were a lot of shuffling and banging as the owners of the feet searched the area. At the same time, the bell wounded on Alan’s wrist began to jingle, pointing a direction towards the window.

“Oh heavens, Alan. Put that bell away,” AJ said as he kissed Alan’s neck hungrily. “Are you trying to entice me more with it?”

“No…No, I’m not. It…It jingled by itself,” Alan tried to silence the bell but in vain.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not—What is all that racket out there?”

At Alan’s words, the door suddenly burst open. Men wearing military suits surrounded the two naked teenagers. It took 2 seconds before they realized the men’s presence.

“Who the hell are you? What are you doing here in my house?” Aj demanded as he put on his clothes. Alan did the same.

“No. 69, you’re coming with us to the lab,” one of the men ordered.

“What lab? Who’s No. 69? My name’s AJ! Andrew Johnson!”

“No. 69, you are requested to come with us quietly.”

“I’m not leaving without an explanation!”

“Then we’ll have to use force.”

So saying, all the men jumped onto AJ. Alan screamed as he jumped off the bed and ran to the living room. There was a huge havoc going on in there. The men were all trying to hold him down and drag him away, but AJ was too quick and strong for them. He didn’t bother to keep a low profile anymore. He used all his strength to beat off the men, sending them flying across the room. He then ran out, grabbed both Alan and Doc and dashed out of his apartment to the parking lot. He helped them on his Suzuki motorbike, started it and raced off down the road.

“AJ, I got a feeling this bell is trying to help us get away!” Alan exclaimed when he noticed the bell pointing forward. “Look, it’s showing us a shortcut down the highway!”

So it was. AJ decided to listen to Alan (although he’s still doubtful) and drove wherever the bell was pointing. He yelled at Doc, “Doc! Doc! Turn yourself on! I need some answers!”

Doc, who was between Alan and AJ, turned himself on and said, “I’m sorry, AJ I’m sorry! I should’ve told you earlier…”

“Who were those men? What were they doing here? Why did they calling me No. 69?!”

“I’ll tell you everything! Everything! Just keep driving until we find someplace safe and I’ll spill the beans!”

AJ huffed and increased the bike to full speed, driving away into the night.

Roads: Book 2-Fellowship

2011-11-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Athena sat on a flat rock, meditating. The tight bonds of rope aroung her body didn’t really bother her at all. She was contented to just sit there and think of nothing but peace.

On the other hand, Gary and George were fighting over a drumstick. They were squabbling about who should deserve that drumstick better.

“I found this wild chicken!” Gary yelled.

“Well, I shot it!” George barked at him fiercely.

“If it weren’t for me, you would be eating that nasty trout again!”

“What’s the use of finding it if you can’t kill it?”

“And what’s the use of a gun if you can’t find anything to shoot?”

Henry, who was drinking his coffee, sat quietly as he watched his friends continue bickering at each other.

“Well, at least I plucked and cleaned the chicken!” Gary growled.

“Well, I cooked it!” George insisted.

“No way! I set up the fire!”

“And who brought the wood?”

“And who brought the matches?”

“Henry,” Athena opened her eyes in the midst of all the racket, “would you be so kind as to let George have your drumstick? I’m sure it’s still untouched.”

Henry nodded. He picked up the drumstick on his plate, poked George and passed the drumstick to him. George looked at it and noticed Athena smiling and nodding at him behind Henry. He let go of Gary and accepted the drumstick. Henry grinned and went back to sipping his coffee. Athena went back to her meditation.

“I wonder when we are going to get out of this bloody forest. It’s been weeks since we left home for this trip,” Gary complained as he munched triumphantly on his drumstick. His red hair shone under the light of the fire.

“That’s because you lost the map!” George said dourly. “You’re all thumbs, Gary. You can’t even hold a pencil right, let alone an important thing as a map!”

“I did not lose the map! I stuffed it into your bag as soon as I finished reading it! You lost it! And another thing,” Gary protested before George could rebut him back again, “you didn’t bring a compass along. That was your job. So there!”

“Well, I never! You suggested this trip in the first place! You bragged about knowing this place like the back of your hand! Now look what you’ve led us to!”

“Me? Me?! Why, I…”

Henry shushed them and jerked his head towards the meditating Athena. Gary and George ceased their quarrelling and turned their backs towards each other. Secretly, from the corner of their eyes, they stared at Athena sitting on the rock with her eyes closed, deep in her thoughts, clad in her usual robes. A very unlikely thing to wear during a camping trip, but neither of the men mind.

Having finished their dinner, the men took out their sleeping bags and tucked themselves in. only Athena remained at her spot. Gary did call her to go to bed, but seeing that she didn’t react, he left her alone and turned over, falling asleep instantly.

Athena continued meditating. The peace and tranquility of the forest was music to her ears. Apart from the occasional forest bugs, the men’s snoring and the crackling of fire, everything was fine. Her mother was right; if there is peace in the mind, there’s peace everywhere.

Suddenly there was a jingling of bells. Athena opened her eyes abruptly, shocked at what she heard. There wasn’t a decent sound in the forest for weeks and now there it was, right in front of her! Maybe somebody has come to help them at last. Maybe someone has heard wind of their disappearance and sent the rescue team to help them. Athena relieved herself of her sitting position and got off the rock. Henry heard her and woke up.

“Sorry to wake you up, Henry,” Athena apologized.

Henry shook his head, and then gazed at her with questioning eyes.

“I hear bells. Do you hear it?”

Henry raised his head a little. The jingling caught his ear. He nodded.

“It could be the rescue team. It could be anybody. Do wake the others up. I have a feeling we’ll be saved.”

Henry got up in a thrice and shook Gary and George awake. Athena stood a few feet away from them, waiting.

“What is it? What is it? If that’s you, Gary, I’ll…” George mumbled sleepily, annoyed at the sudden shaking.

“Wake up, George. Wake up, Gary. I hear bells. There might be help coming to us. Let’s go and see who it is,” Athena urged.

At the word ‘help’, Gary and George were wide awake almost immediately. They didn’t care if their hair were ruffled; they’re dying to see another person in the forest that might provide some sort of rescue. They ran towards the sound of the jingling which was music to their ears, leaving Athena and Henry behind.

Moments later, they found themselves standing in front of a jeep. It was a classic one, the type which was used by soldiers during the war, the one without the roof. On the rear-view mirror was a crystal bell hanging from a silver string, jingling and jangling, pointing forward.

Athena and Henry caught up. They saw the jeep and the bell, but there was no one else in sight. Gary and George called out a few times but nobody answered. Nobody appeared out of nowhere and said, “Yes, you called?” or “Hey, that’s my jeep!” There wasn’t even a sound of a footstep.

“No one’s here, only the jeep,” Gary concluded. “Guess we have to ride ourselves back to town. A car for free, imagine that! He he he!”

“No, Gary, please!” Athena begged, quite horrified. “It’s not right to steal someone else’s car. It might belong to someone!”

“Well, we’ve called several times but no one showed up. How can you be sure that person needs it? He probably didn’t give a damn about this baby and dumped it here. It’s pretty old, you know.”

“Maybe they left it there for a while and went to the men’s room or something. It’s just not right.”

“Well, right or not, Athena, this sucker left the keys in the car. How stupid can that person be if he really cared about the car?”

“I don’t know…” Athena was still worried.

“Come on, Athena. We’re just borrowing the jeep,” George, for once, defended Gary. “Once we get to town, we’ll find the owner and give it back to him, plus apology. Whaddaya say?”

“Well…”

“You want to go home to your peaceful lifestyle again, don’t you?”

“Y…Yes, I must say…”

“Then hop in!” Gary grinned. He turned the key in the ignition and it started immediately. “Let’s get out of this dump!”

Athena finally let herself into the car. Henry was the only one who had a driving license, so he sat in the driver’s seat. Athena sat beside him and the rest sat at the back. As soon as everyone got on the jeep, before Henry laid his hands on the steering wheel, the jeep suddenly swerved and went down the road, going towards the direction of where the bell was pointing.

“What’s going on?! Henry, is this what you learn in driving school?!” Gary shrieked as he held on tight to the seat. Henry put his hands up and shook his head in protest, indicating that he didn’t dupe the car or anything.

“Oh heavens! This car has a mind of its own! It’s taking us deep into the forest!” Athena screamed in panic. The men were also in panic. Henry tried to step on the brakes but it didn’t work either.

“Look! The tank is empty!” Gary exclaimed, pointing at the tank meter. “But the jeep’s still running! It really has a mind of its own!”

Athena clasped her hands and prayed. Henry held tight on the steering wheel. Gary and George grabbed on each other. None of them knew what to do.

A desperate cry for help was the last thing they could say before they were carried deeper and deeper into the thick forest.

Roads: Book 1-Fish

2011-11-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

There were about thirty to forty people at Tamara’s Class of ’98 reunion party that night. Everyone from Class ’98 was there, including the teachers. Although the hall of Tamara, the little Miss Richie Rich of Class ’98, was big, people still had to stand very close to one another and shout to make themselves heard. If it weren’t for the large buffet table (which was taking up most of the space) and the loud Bon Jovi music, the atmosphere wouldn’t be so appalling. Many were grinning, showing capped white teeth. Most of them had a cigarette in the left hand and a drink or a plate of food in the right, and there were quite a number of children running around the place, probably belonging to a few of the married ex-students of Class ’98. It was a wonder those kids did not crash into one another or any of the adults or causing the spilling of drinks and flying of shrimp cocktails.

Suzie moved away from her crowd. She wasn’t much of a chatty person anyway. She headed for the small bar in the far corner, and when she got there, she sat down on a bar-stool and faced the hall. She ordered a Martini and watched the ex-students—her ex-classmates—of Class ’98, chitchatting away without noticing her at all while taking food from part-time waiters and waitresses from some of the most high-classed catering companies money can buy, waiting on them hand and foot just to earn a couple of bucks to pay for their tuition fees. Typical for the richest girl of Class ’98 to be hiring help for everything she did.

It’s not surprising that no one noticed her. Suzie could be considered the Ghost of Class ’98—she was tiny and timid, with long hair down to her waist. She was very fair, almost going pale, and the only thing that ever gave her face any colour was the pink blusher she wiped across her cheek. She was dressed in black, like Morticia in the Addams family, and she looked like her too, minus the make-up, that is. People barely acknowledged her unless she at least whispers a little, then they’ll raise their eyebrows and say, “Where did she come from?”

“Well, well, well, if it ain’t our old friend Suzie the Ghost! Got room for us?”

Suzie looked up and saw Tamara with a number of other girls. The Barbie Girls, they were known to everyone in Class ‘98. She nodded and they all sat beside her. Tamara put her arm over Suzie’s shoulder.

“Having a great time? You should be glad I remembered and invited you. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“Thank you, Tam,” Suzie replied timidly. Oh, how she envied Tamara and the other girls. They’re all robust and lively, full of colour (not to mention Tamara being rich). How she wished she could be like them, that is if she weren’t so busy trying to avoid them and their possible ragging.

“If you are trying to dress up like Morticia, Suzie, you should’ve decorated your face like her as well,” Janet, one of the girls, remarked as she tossed her red hair and laughed. “You look like Morticia who just had a nasty cold!”

Sorry I tried, Suzie thought acidly, fighting the urge to splash her glass of Martini on her foundation-covered face.

“Hush, Janet, that’s not nice!” Another girl, Diana defended her. She’s very sweet, this Diana, despite the fact that she was one of the Barbie Girls herself. “Don’t mind her, Suzie. You look great.”

“Thanks,” Suzie replied. She hated make-up. Really, she did. It was an effort for her just to put a few lousy dabs of blusher.

“Is that all you can say, Suzie?” Tamara tried to make the conversation friendlier and clapped her back. “Dang, you haven’t changed since we last saw you—or even remembered you. How are you doing these few years? Doing college? University? Married?”

“No. I work in a nursery,” Suzie lowered her head, the cold glass of Martini numbing her fingers.

“Oh, babysitting children, eh? I bet it’s tiring, having to run around meeting all those little brats’ whim and fancy.”

“It was OK.”

“That’s a sweet job, Suzie. Gives you preparations before-hand when you heve kids of your own someday,” Diana complimented.

“Yeah,” Janet snorted, “if she ever gets married!”

“Janet, don’t!” Diana frowned at her.

“Hey, it’s a fact. She’s been in high school for years and no guys had ever set eyes on her. I wouldn’t be caught dead a spinster if I were her!” Janet’s a very outspoken girl. She couldn’t control her own mouth, let alone others.

Tamara could see that Suzie was in the verge of breaking down, so she quickly changed the subject, “So, Suzie. I heard that you’re on your own now. That is so cool. I mean, so much freedom, having everything to yourself, no worries at all. Where do you live?”

“An apartment at Loanes Street,” Suzie cheered up a little. She sometimes wished Janet would just shut up.

“Loanes Street?! Isn’t that apartment supposed to be haunted?!” Janet was at it again. “You gotta be crazy to go on living there!”

“That’s just rumours, Janet,” Tamara groaned in exasperation. “What’s really like up there, Suzie? Still rearing fishies as pets?”

Suzie almost dropped her Martini. ‘Fish’ was the lat thing she ever wanted to hear. Janet smirked when she noticed her going pale.

“See? See how jumpy Suzie is? I told you that place is haunted, especially the drain!”

“And what do you know about the Loanes Apartment, huh?” Diana challenged. She bet Janet was just all talk, but Janet proved her wrong.

“Oh, I know dozens about the apartment, I do! Particularly the drain. The drain is the spookiest of all the hauntings in the apartment. Some people say they can hear a woman screaming for help with her husband swearing in the background, some say they can see a dangling corpse hanging from a fan or something and some say they could see and hear ghosts roaming around the corridors and moaning in front of their faces, but none is compared to the drain. No, none can be compared!”

“Is that true, Suzie?” Diana asked Suzie. Suzie remained silent.

“Oh Christ, Janet! Stop the dilly-dallying and tell us about the drain, if you’re not trying to be hogwash!” Tamara barked at her outspoken friend impatiently.

“I’m not trying to be hogwash! It’s true! My brother-in-law, before he married my sister, used to live there and he had a score to tell!”

“Well, what is it?” One of the girls in the group asked, humouring Janet.

“He said that the drain in the apartment is haunted. Every night, and I mean every night, at exactly 8 o’clock, you can hear loud splashes in the drain, like a fish doing jumps over the water or something, and the splashes are very loud. Almost abnormal. And it goes on and on throughout the night. Sometimes you can still hear those splashes at the most eerie hours, but it always start at 8 o’clock at night, no matter what.

“Then came a night when he couldn’t stand it anymore. My brother-in-law, together with his roommate, went down to investigate. They went near the drain that was making all the loud splashes and guess what? The sound of the splashes was there, but there’s no water in the drain! I tell you, the drain was as dry as the desert! Sure, there should be a little water enough to wet the whole darn drain but he swore there was no water at that side of the drain! Yet the sound of splashes was so loud, and it came from there!

“Of course, my brother-in-law refused to believe it at first. He thought they were echoes from another side of the drain. So he turned around to check out the other side. Suddenly he heard a gurgling noise, like someone was drowning, and when he turned around, he saw his roommate lying on the solid ground, dead and as pale as a ghost. Forensics have checked out his roommate’s body and reported, reluctantly, that the cause of death was drowning. Drowning! Could you imagine? It was an uproar, I tell you. After that incident, with involvement from the police and all, a massive group of house-moving occurred. A lot of residents decided there and then that they’re moving. I’m sure that happened when you’re still living there, right, Suzie?”

Suzie nodded. She swallowed her Martini all in one go, which was something she had never done before.

“See? I told you it was true! I’m no hogwash!” Janet exclaimed triumphantly. She even ordered a Bloody Mary to congratulate herself with.

“Then why didn’t you move? Why didn’t you leave that place?” Diana asked, concerned.

“Because it’s my fault,” Suzie replied after a very long silence.

“Excuse me?” Tamara raised an eyebrow.

“I caused the haunting.”

Janet almost choked in her Bloody Mary. All the girls looked at her as if she had just made a bizarre announcement about the end of the world. Suzie ignored them. She ordered another Martini and sipped it.

“What do you mean you caused the haunting?” Tamara asked Suzie, trying to check if she had lost a few marbles.

“Like I said, I made the haunting happened. If it weren’t for me, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“What? What did you do?” Diana asked. She was getting worried. She had never heard Suzie spoke more than a sentence before. Janet thought she was getting drunk with all the Martini she’s been drinking.

“You mean you rigged those splashing sounds and scared my brother-in-law’s roommate to death?”

“No. It’s not that.” It was surprising that Suzie didn’t jump up at that remark.

“Then what happened?” Tamara was getting impatient.

“You know I have a letch for fish. I adore fish. If possible, I would love to collect every species there is in the whole world and keep them in exotic tanks and just sit there and watch them swim around.”

“Then that’s not a problem.”

“That’s a very big problem,” Suzie said, anxious. “I haven’t got the money and none of my fish I’ve kept survive more than a month.”

“Good Lord!” Diana exclaimed, cupping her mouth.

“I had 4 beautiful goldfish once, and each of them died, one per day. The last goldfish survived for 2 more days before dying abruptly.”

“That’s terrible,” Tamara said.

“Bummer!” Janet remarked.

“A month later, I received 2 carps from my friend, a male and a female. No sooner I got those carps than later that evening, the male died.”

“Bullshit! That can’t be true! You’re pulling our legs!” Janet snorted. Her eyes were glazed by the drink, but her mouth was as outspoken as ever.

“No. it’s true. It died right at that evening. I didn’t want to see the female suffer the same fate, so I brought the bucket down to the drain and poured her and the dead male down. I know the drain might lead somewhere down to a sewer or something, where she might survive just for a while. I just poured and left with looking, so I didn’t know whether she made it or not,” Suzie took a long pull of her Martini after she finished her story.

“Good heavens! Suzie, how could you?” Diana was almost in tears. She’s a sweet girl, and any cruelty would drive her into a bucketful of tears.

“Looks like the drain has told you whether she made it or not,” Janet grinned and ordered a vodka next.

“I had no choice,” Suzie said quietly.

“You know what I think? I think that fish is trying to draw your attention. She wants to lure you so that she can kill you, just like she did to the roommate.”

Suzie kept silent. She finished her Martini and grabbed her coat. She made up an excuse, thanked Tamara for the lovely party and left. The girls just sat there and watched her leave, completely dumbstruck.

--:--

SPLISH! SPLOSH! SPLASH!

The splashes have been going on for hours now. Suzie glanced at her clock. 2 a.m. Suzie drew her blanket nearer to her chin. The splashes were threatening her—demanding her, to be exact—to go down and check it out. It was calling her, wanting her to go down to meet the doom that she deserved. Suzie had brought herself to get used to the splashing, but after the story Janet told the other girls, she was getting goosebumps all over again.

Suddenly she heard a series of tiny jingles. Suzie opened her tightly shut eyes and saw a crystal bell hanging from a silver string on her window sill. It was jingling and swaying, as if the wind was blowing at it from inside the room. It was pointing towards the direction of the drain, jingling ever so softly, like melodic church psalms.

Suzie knew that in a way, she had killed the female carp and she deserved to be punished for that. She knew that the dead fish was seeking revenge upon her. She was scared. Throughout those nights, although she told herself to get used to it, deep down inside her, she was scared stiff. Now, after listening to those jingling of the crystal bell, she knew she couldn’t hide anymore. She knew that this day would come. She knew she was going to die in the fins of a very vengeful fish sooner or later.

Most of all, she was somehow ready to face it.

She removed the bell from the sill and let it guide her. The bell continued jingling and pointing to the front, guiding her way. Surprisingly, Suzie wasn’t scared or shocked by this mysterious bell. She wasn’t the least bit curious about the way the bell acted. She just accepted whatever was happening to her now and let the bell lead the way.

Soon, Suzie found herself standing in front of the famous haunted drain.

Roads: Introduction

2011-11-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

This is a story about 15 people.

This is a story about 15 people undergoing a journey through 7 Roads of the Realm of Life.

This is a story about 15 people who wouldn’t stay and wait for fate to claim them. A story which shows that they have the determination to change their own fate, their own future, their own lives. A story which they have to learn to understand about life, about themselves and about their true destiny.

This is a story about 15 people who have beaten all odds received the most precious gift in their lives.

This is a story about love.

About courage.

About determination.

About sadness and joy, despair and hope.

About life.

This is their story.

The Rain

2011-11-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

Beauty and the Beast-Russia Version

2011-10-09T07:13:00.001-07:00

The Enchanted Tsarévich

Once upon a time there was a merchant who had three daughters. It so happened he had one day to go to strange countries to buy wares, and so he asked his daughters, "What shall I bring you from beyond the seas?"

The eldest asked for a new coat, and the next one also asked for a new coat; but the youngest one only took a sheet of paper and sketched a flower on it. "Bring me, bátyushka [father], a flower like this!"

So the merchant went and made a long journey to foreign kingdoms, but he could never see such a flower. So he came back home, and he saw on his way a splendid lofty palace with watchtowers, turrets, and a garden. He went a walk in the garden, and you cannot imagine how many trees he saw and flowers, every flower fairer than the other flowers. And then he looked and he saw a single one like the one which his daughter had sketched.

"Oh," he said, "I will tear off and bring this to my beloved daughter; evidently there is nobody here to watch me."

So he ran up and broke it off, and as soon as he had done it, in that very instant a boisterous wind arose and thunder thundered, and a fearful monster stood in front of him, a formless, winged snake with three heads. "How dared you play the master in my garden!" cried the snake to the merchant. "Why have you broken off a blossom?"

The merchant was frightened, fell on his knees and besought pardon.

"Very well," said the snake, "I will forgive you, but on condition that whoever meets you first, when you reach home, you must give me for all eternity; and, if you deceive me, do not forget, nobody can ever hide himself from me. I shall find you wherever you are."

The merchant agreed to the condition and came back home. And the youngest daughter saw him from the window and ran out to meet him. Then the merchant hung his head, looked at his beloved daughter, and began to shed bitter tears.

"What is the matter with you? Why are you weeping, bátyushka?"

He gave her the blossom and told what had befallen him.

"Do not grieve, bátyushka ," said the youngest daughter. "It is God's gift. Perhaps I shall fare well. Take me to the snake."

So the father took her away, set her in the palace, bade farewell, and set out home. Then the fair maiden, the daughter of the merchant, went in the different rooms, and beheld everywhere gold and velvet; but no one was there to be seen, not a single human soul.

Time went by and went by, and the fair damsel became hungry and thought, "Oh, if I could only have something to eat!" But before ever she had thought, in front of her stood a table, and on the table were dishes and drinks and refreshments. The only thing that was not there was birds' milk. Then she sat down to the table, drank and ate, got up, and it had all vanished.

Darkness now came on, and the merchant's daughter went into the bedroom, wishing to lie down and sleep. Then a boisterous wind rustled round and the three- headed snake appeared in front of her.

"Hail, fair maiden! Put my bed outside this door!"

So the fair maiden put the bed outside the door and herself lay on the bedstead.

She awoke in the morning, and again in the entire house there was not a single soul to be seen. And it all went well with her. Whatever she wished for appeared on the spot.

In the evening the snake flew to her and ordered, "Now, fair maiden, put my bed next to your bedstead."

She then laid it next to her bedstead, and the night went by, and the maiden awoke, and again there was never a soul in the palace.

And for the third time the snake came in the evening and said, "Now, fair maiden, I am going to lie with you in the bedstead."

The merchant's daughter was fearfully afraid of lying on a single bed with such a formless monster. But she could not help herself, so she strengthened her heart and lay down with him.

In the morning the serpent said to her, "If you are now weary, fair maiden, go to your father and your sisters. Spend a day with them, and in the evening come back to me. But see to it that you are not late. If you are one single minute late I shall die of grief."

"No, I shall not be late," said the maiden, the merchant's daughter, and descended the steps; there was a barouche ready for her, and she sat down. That very instant she arrived at her father's courtyard.

Then the father saw, welcomed, kissed her, and asked her, "How has God been dealing with you, my beloved daughter ? Has it been well with you?"

"Very well, father!" And she started telling of all the wealth there was in the palace, how the snake loved her, how whatever she only thought of was in that instant fulfilled.

The sisters heard, and did not know what to do out of sheer envy.

Now the day was ebbing away, and the fair maiden made ready to go back, and was bidding farewell to her father and her sisters, saying, "This is the time I must go back. I was bidden keep to my term."

But the envious sisters rubbed onions on their eyes and made as though they were weeping: "Do not go away, sister; stay until tomorrow."

She was very sorry for her sisters, and stayed one day more.

In the morning she bade farewell to them all and went to the palace. When she arrived it was as empty as before. She went into the garden, and she saw the serpent lying dead in the pond! He had thrown himself for sheer grief into the water.

"Oh, my God, what have I done!" cried out the fair maiden, and she wept bitter tears, ran. up to the pond, hauled the snake out of the water, embraced one head and kissed it with all her might. And the snake trembled, and in a minute turned into a good youth.

"I thank you, fair maiden," he said. "You have saved me from the greatest misfortune. I am no snake, but an enchanted prince."

Then they went back to the merchant's house, were betrothed, lived long, and lived for good and happy things.

Beauty and the Beast-England Version

2011-10-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Small-Tooth Dog

Once upon a time there was a merchant who traveled about the world a great deal. On one of his journeys thieves attacked him, and they would have taken both his life and his money if a large dog had not come to his rescue and driven the thieves away.

When the dog had driven the thieves away he took the merchant to his house, which was a very handsome one, and dressed his wounds and nursed him till he was well.

As soon as he was able to travel the merchant began his journey home, but before starting he told the dog how grateful he was for his kindness, and asked him what reward he could offer in return, and he said he would not refuse to give the most precious thing he had.

And so the merchant said to the dog, "Will you accept a fish I have that can speak twelve languages?"

"No," said the dog, "I will not."

"Or a goose that lays golden eggs?"

"No," said the dog, "I will not."

"Or a mirror in which you can see what anybody is thinking about?"

"No," said the dog, "I will not."

"Then what will you have?" said the merchant.

"I will have none of such presents," said the dog; "but let me fetch your daughter, and bring her to my house."

When the merchant heard this he was grieved, but what he had promised had to be done, so he said to the dog, "You can come and fetch my daughter after I have been home for a week."

So at the end of the week, the dog came to the merchant's house to fetch his daughter, but when he got there he stayed outside the door, and would not go in.

But the merchant's daughter did as her father told her, and came out of the house dressed for a journey and ready to go with the dog.

When the dog saw her he looked pleased, and said, "Jump on my back, and I will take you away to my house."

So she mounted on the dog's back, and away they went at a great pace, until they reached the dog's house, which was many miles off.

But after she had been a month at the dog's house she began to mope and cry.

"What are you crying for?" said the dog.

"Because I want to go back to my father," she said.

The dog said, "If you will promise me that you will not stay there more than three days I will take you there. But first of all," said he, "what do you call me?"

"A great, foul, small-tooth dog," said she.

"Then," said he, "I will not let you go."

But she cried so pitifully that he promised again to take her home.

"But before we start," he said, "tell me what you call me."

"Oh," she said, "your name is Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb."

"Jump on my back," said he, "and I'll take you home."

So he trotted away with her on his back for forty miles, when they came to a stile.

"And what do you call me?" said he, before they got over the stile.

Thinking she was safe on her way, the girl said, "A great, foul, small-tooth dog."

But when she said this, he did not jump over the stile, but turned right round again at once, and galloped back to his own house with the girl on his back.

Another week went by, and again the girl wept so bitterly that the dog promised to take her to her father's house.

So the girl got on the dog's back again, and they reached the first stile, as before, and the dog stopped and said, "And what do you call me?"

"Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb," she replied.

So the dog leaped over the stile, and they went on for twenty miles until they came to another stile.

"And what do you call me?" said the dog with a wag of his tail.

She was thinking more of her father and her own house than of the dog, so she answered, "A great, foul, small-tooth dog."

Then the dog was in a great rage, and he turned right round about, and galloped back to his own house as before.

After she had cried for another week, the dog promised again to take her back to her father's house. So she mounted upon his back once more, and when they got to the first stile, the dog said, "And what do you call me?"

"Sweet-as-a-Honeycomb," she said.

So the dog jumped over the stile, and away they went -- for now the girl made up her mind to say the most loving things she could think of -- until they reached her father's house.

When they got to the door of the merchant's house, the dog said, "And what do you call me?"

Just at that moment the girl forgot the loving things she meant to say and began, "A great --," but the dog began to turn, and she got fast hold of the door latch, and was going to say "foul," when she saw how grieved the dog looked and remembered how good and patient he had been with her, so she said, "Sweeter-than-a-Honeycomb."

When she had said this she thought the dog would have been content and have galloped away, but instead of that he suddenly stood upon his hind legs, and with his forelegs he pulled off his dog's head and tossed it high in the air. His hairy coat dropped off, and there stood the handsomest young man in the world, with the finest and smallest teeth you ever saw.

Of course they were married, and lived together happily.

Beauty and the Beast-Italy Version

2011-10-09T07:07:00.001-07:00

Zelinda and the Monster

There was once a poor man who had three daughters; and as the youngest was the fairest and most civil, and had the best disposition, her other two sisters envied her with a deadly envy, although her father, on the contrary, loved her dearly. It happened that in a neighboring town, in the month of January, there was a great fair, and that poor man was obliged to go there to lay in the provisions necessary for the support of his family; and before departing he asked his three daughters if they would like some small presents in proportion, you understand, to his means. Rosina wished a dress, Marietta asked him for a shawl, but Zelinda was satisfied with a handsome rose.

The poor man set out on his journey early the next day, and when he arrived at the fair quickly bought what he needed, and afterward easily found Rosina's dress and Marietta's shawl; but at that season he could not find a rose for his Zelinda, although he took great pains in looking everywhere for one. However, anxious to please his dear Zelinda, he took the first road he came to, and after journeying a while arrived at a handsome garden enclosed by high walls; but as the gate was partly open he entered softly. He found the garden filled with every kind of flowers and plants, and in a corner was a tall rosebush full of beautiful rosebuds. Wherever he looked no living soul appeared from whom he might ask a rose as a gift or for money, so the poor man, without thinking, stretched out his hand, and picked a rose for his Zelinda.

Mercy! Scarcely had he pulled the flower from the stalk when there arose a great noise, and flames darted from the earth, and all at once there appeared a terrible monster with the figure of a dragon, and hissed with all his might, and cried out, enraged at that poor Christian, "Rash man! what have you done? Now you must die at once, for you have had the audacity to touch and destroy my rosebush."

The poor man, more than half dead with terror, began to weep and beg for mercy on his knees, asking pardon for the fault he had committed, and told why he had picked the rose; and then he added, "Let me depart; I have a family, and if I am killed they will go to destruction"

But the monster, more wicked than ever, responded, "Listen; one must die. Either bring me the girl that asked for the rose or I will kill you this very moment." It was impossible to move him by prayers or lamentations; the monster persisted in his decision, and did not let the poor man go until he had sworn to bring him there in the garden his daughter Zelinda.

Imagine how downhearted that poor man returned home! He gave his oldest daughters their presents and Zelinda her rose; but his face was distorted and as white as though he had arisen from the dead; so that the girls, in terror, asked him what had happened and whether he had met with any misfortune. They were urgent, and at last the poor man, weeping bitterly, related the misfortunes of that unhappy journey and on what condition he had been able finally to return home. "In short," he exclaimed, "either Zelinda or I must be eaten alive by the monster."

Then the two sisters emptied the vials of their wrath on Zelinda. "Just see," they said, "that affected, capricious girl! She shall go to the monster! She who wanted roses at this season. No, indeed! Papa must stay with us. The stupid creature!"

At all these taunts Zelinda, without growing angry, simply said, "It is right that the one who has caused the misfortune should pay for it. I will go to the monster's. Yes, Papa, take me to the garden, and the Lord's will be done."

The next day Zelinda and her sorrowful father began their journey and at nightfall arrived at the garden gate. When they entered they saw as usual no one, but they beheld a lordly palace all lighted and the doors wide open. When the two travelers entered the vestibule, suddenly four marble statues, with lighted torches in their hands, descended from their pedestals, and accompanied them up the stairs to a large hall where a table was lavishly spread. The travelers, who were very hungry, sat down and began to eat without ceremony; and when they had finished, the same statues conducted them to two handsome chambers for the night. Zelinda and her father were so weary that they slept like dormice all night.

At daybreak Zelinda and her father arose, and were served with everything for breakfast by invisible hands. Then they descended to the garden, and began to seek the monster. When they came to the rosebush he appeared in all his frightful ugliness. Zelinda, on seeing him, became pale with fear, and her limbs trembled, but the monster regarded her attentively with his great fiery eyes, and afterward said to the poor man, "Very well; you have kept your word, and I am satisfied. Now depart and leave me alone here with the young girl."

At this command the old man thought he should die; and Zelinda, too, stood there half stupefied and her eyes full of tears; but entreaties were of no avail; the monster remained as obdurate as a stone, and the poor man was obliged to depart, leaving his dear Zelinda in the monster's power.

When the monster was alone with Zelinda he began to caress her, and make loving speeches to her, and managed to appear quite civil. There was no danger of his forgetting her, and he saw that she wanted nothing, and every day, talking with her in the garden, he asked her, "Do you love me, Zelinda? Will you be my wife?"

The young girl always answered him in the same way, "I like you, sir, but I will never be your wife."

Then the monster appeared very sorrowful, and redoubled his caresses and attentions, and, sighing deeply, said, "But you see, Zelinda, if you should marry me wonderful things would happen. What they are I cannot tell you until you will be my wife."

Zelinda, although in her heart not dissatisfied with that beautiful place and with being treated like a queen, still did not feel at all like marrying the monster, because he was too ugly and looked like a beast, and always answered his requests in the same manner.

One day, however, the monster called Zelinda in haste, and said, "Listen, Zelinda; if you do not consent to marry me it is fated that your father must die. He is ill and near the end of his life, and you will not be able even to see him again. See whether I am telling you the truth." And, drawing out an enchanted mirror, the monster showed Zelinda her father on his deathbed.

At that spectacle Zelinda, in despair and half mad with grief, cried, "Oh, save my father, for mercy's sake! Let me be able to embrace him once more before he dies. Yes, yes, I promise you I will be your faithful and constant wife, and that without delay. But save my father from death."

Scarcely had Zelinda uttered these words when suddenly the monster was transformed into a very handsome youth. Zelinda was astounded by this unexpected change, and the young man took her by the hand, and said, "Know, dear Zelinda, that I am the son of the King of the Oranges. An old witch, touching me, changed me into the terrible monster I was, and condemned me to be hidden in this rosebush until a beautiful girl consented to become my wife."

Beauty and the Beast-Switzerland Version

2011-10-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

The Bear Prince

A merchant once wanted to go to market. He asked his three daughters what he should bring home for them.

The oldest one said, "I would like pearls and precious stones."

"You can buy a sky-blue dress for me," said the middle one.

But the youngest one said, "Nothing in the world would be dearer to me than a grape."

Once at the market, the merchant saw as many pearls and precious stones as he could possibly want. And he soon purchased a sky-blue dress as well. But as for a grape, he could not find one anywhere at the market. This saddened him greatly, because he loved his youngest daughter most of all.

Buried thus in his thoughts, he was making his way toward home when a little dwarf stepped before him. He asked, "Why are you so sad?"

"Oh," answered the merchant, "I was supposed to bring home a grape for my youngest daughter, but I was not able to find one anywhere at the market."

The dwarf said, "Just take a few steps into that meadow down there, and you will come to a large vineyard. A white bear will be there. He will growl fiercely when you approach, but don't let that frighten you. You'll get a grape after all."

So the merchant went down into the meadow, and it happened just as the dwarf had said. A white bear was keeping guard at the vineyard, and he growled at the merchant when he was still a long way off.

"What do you want here?"

"Be so good," said the merchant, "and let me take a grape for my youngest daughter, just a single one."

"You cannot have one," said the bear, "unless you promise to give me that which will first greet you upon your arrival home."

The merchant did not think long about this before accepting the bear's terms. Then he was permitted to take a grape, and he happily made his way toward home.

Upon his arrival home, the youngest daughter ran out to meet him, for she -- more than anyone else -- had missed him, and she could hardly wait to see him. Seeing the grape in his hand, she threw her arms around his neck and could scarcely contain herself for joy.

But the father was overcome with sorrow, and he could not tell anyone why. Every day he expected the white bear to come and demand from him his dearest child.

When exactly one year had passed since he taken the grape from the vineyard, the bear did indeed trot up, confronted the merchant, and said, "Now give me that which first greeted you upon your arrival home, or I'll eat you."

The merchant had not lost all of his senses, and he said, "Take my dog. He jumped right out the door when he saw me coming."

But the bear began to growl loudly and said, "He is not the right one. If you don't keep your promise, I'll eat you."

Then the merchant said, "So just take the apple tree in front of the house. That was the first thing that I met."

But the bear growled even stronger and said, "That is not the right one. If you don't keep your promise immediately, I'll eat you."

Nothing more would help. The merchant had to surrender his youngest daughter. When she came out, a coach drove up. The bear led her inside, sat down next to her, and away they went.

After a while the coach stopped in the courtyard of a castle, and the bear led the daughter into the castle and welcomed her. This was his home, he said, and from now on she would be his wife. He gave her everything that her heart could desire, so that with time it no longer occurred to her that her husband was a bear. There were just two things that seemed strange to her: Why did the bear insist on having no lights at nighttime, and why did he always feel so cold?

After she had been with him for some time he asked her, "Do you know how long you have been here?"

"No," she said, "I haven't been thinking about time at all."

"All the better," said the bear. "It's been exactly one year. Get ready for a journey, for we must visit your father once again."

She did so with great joy, and after arriving at her father's she told him all about her life in the castle. Afterward, when she was taking leave from him, he secretly gave her some matches that the bear was not supposed to see. But the bear did see them, and he growled angrily, "Stop that, or I'll eat you."

Then he took his wife back to the castle, and they lived there together as before.

Some time later the bear said, "Do you know how long you have been here?"

"No," she said, "I don't notice the time."

"All the better," said the bear. "You have been here exactly two years. Get ready for a journey. It is time for us to visit your father once again."

She did it once again, and everything happened as the first time. But when she visited her father the third time, the bear failed to see that her father secretly gave her some matches. After arriving back at the castle, she could hardly wait for night to come when the bear was sleeping next to her in bed. Silently she struck a light and was startled with amazement and joy, for next to her was lying a handsome youth with a golden crown on his head.

He smiled at her and said, "Many thanks for redeeming me. You were the wife of an enchanted prince. Now we can celebrate our wedding properly, for now I am the king of this land." With that the entire castle came alive. Servants and attendants came from all sides, wishing good luck to the king and the queen.

Beauty and the Beast-Austria Version

2011-10-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Singing Rose

A king had three daughters. They were more beautiful than the young women of today, and each had passed her sixteenth year of life. The king thought about making one of his daughters queen, but he did not know which one he should select over the other two.

One day he summoned all three and said to them, "My dear children, I am now old and frail, and every day is a gift. Before I die, I would like to bring everything in my realm into order and name one of you as the heir to my kingdom. Now go out into the wide world, and the one of you who brings back a singing rose shall inherit my throne, and she shall be queen over the entire land."

When the three daughters had heard this, they tearfully took leave of their old father, then -- trusting their luck -- set forth for foreign lands, each taking a different path.

It happened that the youngest and most beautiful of them had to go through a dark pine forest. All kinds of birds were singing at the same time. It was wonderful to listen to them. It began to get dark, the birds flew to their nests, and after a while it became quiet as a mouse. Then suddenly a bright, beautiful, loud tone sounded forth, such as the princess had never heard before, neither from birds nor from humans, and she immediately thought, "That can only be the singing rose."

She hurried on in the direction that the marvelous sounds seemed to be coming from. She had not walked long before she saw a large, old-fashioned castle on a cliff. She eagerly climbed up to the castle and pulled several times on the latch. Finally the gate opened with a creaking sound, and an old man with a long, ice-gray beard looked out.

"What is your wish?" he grumpily asked the startled maiden.

"I would like a singing rose," she answered. "Do you have such a thing in your garden?"

"Yes indeed," answered the old man.

"What will you take for it, if I could get it from you?"

"You need give me nothing for the singing rose. You can have it today, but as payment, I will come to you in seven years and bring you back with me to this, my castle."

"Just bring me quickly the valuable flower," shouted the maiden joyfully, for she was thinking only about the singing rose and the kingdom, but not about what would happen after seven years.

The old man went back into the castle, and returned soon with a full, glowing rose. It was singing so beautifully that the maiden's heart jumped for joy. She eagerly reached out her hand for it, and as soon as she had the flower in her hands she ran down the mountain like a deer.

The old man called after her with a serious voice, "I will see you in seven years!"

The maiden wandered the entire night through the dark woods with her rose. Her pleasure in the singing flower and the inherited kingdom caused her to forget all fear. The rose sang without pause the entire way; and the louder and more beautifully it sang, the faster the princess hurried on toward her homeland.

She arrived home and told her father everything that had happened to her, and the rose sang beautifully. Immeasurable joy ruled in the castle, and the king gave one celebration after the other. Soon the two older sisters returned. They had found nothing, and had had to return home empty handed. And now the youngest daughter, who had brought back the rose, became queen, although the old father continued to rule. The royal family lived beautiful, joyful days. Day after day and year after year slipped by.

Finally the seventh year came to an end, and on the first day of the eighth year the old man from the castle appeared before the king and demanded from him the one of his daughter who had brought home the singing rose. The king presented to him his oldest daughter, but the old man rejected her, shaking his head and growling, "She is not the right one."

When the king saw that he could not get away with deception, he -- with a bleeding heart -- turned over the youngest and dearest of his children.

The princess now had to go with the grumbling graybeard to his castle, from which she had once obtained the singing rose. The beautiful maiden was very sad, for she had no one there except for her old master. Day after day she sorrowfully thought about her father and her sisters.

In the castle there were other pleasures in abundance, but they did not comfort her, for she did not have the company of her loved ones. Her thoughts were always in her homeland. Further, all the doors and chests in the castle were locked, and the old man did not let her have access to a single key.

One day she learned -- God knows from where! -- that her oldest sister was to marry a neighboring prince, and that the wedding would take place in a few days. Disquieted, she went to the old man and asked him for permission to attend her sister's wedding.

"Just go!" growled the old man. "But I am telling you in advance, do not laugh once during the entire wedding day. If you disobey my order, I will tear you into a thousand pieces. I myself will continually be by your side, and if you as much as open your mouth to laugh, it will be over with you. Take notice!"

The princess thought that this would be easy to follow, and on the announced day she appeared with the old graybeard at her sister's wedding. Joy ruled in the king's castle when they saw the long missing queen returning. She was very happy and took advantage of the day, but she did not forget the old man's order, and she did not once open her mouth to laugh. That evening she had to take leave from her loved ones, and she sadly returned to the lonely castle with her companion. Her time of monotony began once again, and the poor princess was always glad when a day finally ended.

Then the rumor came to her ears that the other sister would marry soon. This disquieted her again, and she asked the old man if she could not attend her second sister's wedding.

"Just go!" growled the old man." But this time you are not allowed to speak a single word the entire day. I will go with you again and observe you vigilantly.

The princess thought that this would be easy to follow, and on the announced day she appeared with the old graybeard at her sister's wedding. Joy ruled in the king's castle when they saw the long missing queen returning. Everyone ran out to meet her. They greeted her and welcomed her and asked her about everything. But she pretended that she could not talk, and did not allow a single sound to escape from her beautiful lips. But this time she did not keep up her courage as well as she had the last time, and that evening when everyone was talking together until it was humming like a beehive, a little word slipped out. The old man quickly jumped up, took her by the hand, and led her out of the hall and back to his lonely castle.

Here the princess had other things in great abundance, but she greatly missed the company of her loved ones, and everything seemed terribly monotonous to her.

One day when she was sadly walking through the garden where the rose had previously blossomed and sung, the old man came to her and said with a serious expression, "Your majesty, if tomorrow while it is striking twelve you will cut off my head in three blows, then everything that you find in the castle will be yours, and you will be free forever!"

The princess took heart from the old man's speech and decided to attempt the risky deed.

The next day -- it was Saturday -- the old man appeared a little before twelve o'clock and uncovered his neck. She drew the sword that she had hung about her waist, and as the castle clock struck one she swung the sword once, then quickly again two more times. The old man's head rolled away on the floor. But behold! Instead of blood, a key fell from the head. It opened all the chests and doors in the entire castle. There the princess found many, many precious things, and she was rich and free forever.

Beauty and the Beast-Denmark Version

2011-10-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Horse

There was once a merchant whose business was so immense that he was the wealthiest tradesman known. He had three daughters, one of whom was named Beauty. One day the merchant received word from friends far away, informing him of the failure of one of his connections, and he at once prepared himself for a journey to that place. The two older daughters asked him to buy all sorts of finery and dresses for them, but Beauty asked for nothing at all. When the merchant left, these two girls had rubbed their eyes with onions in order to look as if they were sorry to bid him good-bye; but Beauty needed no such artifice; her tears were quite natural.

So the merchant went away, and in due time arrived at the place where the tradesman of whom he had heard the bad news was living. But instead of obtaining money, as he hoped, he was kicked and beaten so violently that it seems a great wonder he came away without losing his life. Of course he had now nothing to do but return, so he mounted his horse and turned homeward. Towards evening he unfortunately lost his way, and when it became quite dark he knew no better than to ride in the direction of a light which was shining from a distance. At length he reached a beautiful little palace, but although it was lighted, there seemed to be no one at home.

After a while he found a shelter and food for his horse -- pure oats, and nothing else. The animal might well dance for joy, for both man and beast were well-nigh exhausted from the long ride. When the horse had been provided for, the master stepped into the palace. There a light was burning, and a table was laid for one person, but no one was to be seen. As the merchant was tired, he sat down without invitation, and ate a hearty supper. A fine bed was there, too, and when he had eaten enough he stretched himself among the pillows and enjoyed a good night's rest.

The next morning everything appeared as on the evening before. The horse was well supplied, and as breakfast was ready on the table, the merchant seated himself, doing justice to the good meal. At he was now ready to leave, he thought it might be well to look over the premises, and glancing into the garden he perceived some exquisite flowers. He went down, intending to carry some of them home with him as a present for Beauty; but no sooner had he touched them than a horse came running towards him as fast as it could trot, saying, "You thoughtless man; I was good to you last night, I gave you shelter and provisions, and now you would even take with you the most beautiful flowers in my garden."

The merchant immediately begged pardon, saying that he had intended the flowers as a gift for Beauty, his daughter.

"Have you several daughters?" asked the horse.

"Yes, I have three, and Beauty is the youngest one," he replied.

"Now you must promise me," said the horse, "that you will give me the daughter whose name is Beauty; if you refuse, I will take your life."

Well, the merchant did not wish to lose his life, so he promised to bring his daughter to the palace, whereupon the horse disappeared among the trees, and the man rode home.

As soon as he reached his house, the two older daughters came out and asked him for the fine things which they were expecting. But Beauty came and bid him welcome. He produced the flowers and gave them to her, saying, "These are for you, but they cost your life," and he then told her how he had been obliged to make the fatal promise to the horse, in order to save his life.

Beauty at once said, "I am willing to follow you, father, and am always glad to help you." They started on their journey, and soon arrived at the palace.

As before, no one was to be seen, but the merchant found food for his horses and a good stable The table was also laid for two persons, and there were two beds. Having done justice to the supper, father and daughter retired and slept soundly. When they awoke the next morning, they found breakfast ready for both, ate heartily, and having exchanged many loving and tender words, they separated, the father riding away. We will let him proceed, and see what occurred at the palace.

Shortly before dinnertime the horse arrived. He came into the room and said, "Welcome, Beauty!" She did not feel very glad, and had all she could do in keeping her tears back. "You shall do nothing but walk around in these rooms and in the garden," continued the horse. "Your meals are provided for. I shall come home every day at noon; at other times you must not expect me."

Time passed, and Beauty felt so lonely that she often longed for noon, when the horse came home, and she could talk with him. She gradually came to look at him more and more kindly; but one thing caused her great distress, namely, that she had no news from her father. One day she mentioned this to the horse.

"Yes," said he, "I understand that very well. In the large room you will find a mirror in which you can see all that you are thinking of."

She was happy to learn this, and went straight into the room where the mirror was hanging. As soon as she thought of her father, her old home was visible in the glass, and she noticed how he was sitting in his chair with a sorrowful expression upon his countenance, while his two daughters were singing and dancing. Beauty felt sorry over this state of affairs, and the next day she told the horse what she had seen.

"Your father is sorry, I suppose," said the horse, " because he has lost you. He will soon feel better, however."

But on the next day, when Beauty consulted the mirror, her father looked pale and ill, like one who is deadly sick; both of her sisters were dressed for a ball, and neither of them seemed to care for the weak man. Beauty burst into tears, and when the horse came home, asking what ailed her, she told him of the bad state of affairs, wishing that he would allow her to return and nurse her poor father during his illness.

"If you will promise to come back," said the horse, "you may return and stay for three days; but under no condition must you break your word."

Beauty told him she would come back in three days.

"Tonight," resumed the horse, "before going to bed, you must place the mirror under your pillow, saying, 'I wish to be home tomorrow.' Then your wish will be fulfilled. When you desire to return, you must do likewise."

The next morning, when Beauty awoke, she was at her old home. Her father became so glad to see her again that he at once felt a great deal better. She cared so well for him that the next day he was able to be up, and on the third day he was almost well. As he wished her to stay with him a few days longer, she complied, thinking that no harm would come from it. On the third day after, however, when she looked into the mirror, she saw the horse stretched on the ground in front of the bench which was her favorite seat in the garden. She now felt that it would be impossible for her to remain longer, hence in the evening, before going to bed, she placed the mirror under her pillow, saying: "I wish to be at the palace tomorrow morning."

She promptly awoke in the palace the following morning, and hurrying into the garden she found the horse so very sick that he could not stand on his legs. Beauty knelt down and asked him to forgive her for staying away longer than she had promised. The horse asked her if she could not persuade herself to stay with him all her life, but she answered that it would seem very singular to live with a horse all her lifetime. The poor animal now sighed so deeply that she took pity on him and said, fearing that he might die then and there, that she would always stay with him and never leave him.

As soon as she had made this promise, the horse vanished, and a beautiful young prince stood before her. He seized her hand and asked whether she was not sorry for the promise she had made. No, she said, she would rather stay with him now than when he was in the shape of a horse. He now told her that both he and the whole land had been enchanted by his wicked stepmother, who had converted him into a horse, and told him that only when a beautiful young girl would promise to stay with him, in his altered shape, would the enchantment be over. He wanted to marry Beauty, and live in the palace which belonged to him.

So they sent for her father to take up his residence with them, and now the marriage was performed and celebrated in a splendid manner. They lived long and happily together, the prince and his Beauty.

Beauty and the Beast-Germany 3rd Version

2011-10-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Little Broomstick

There was once a merchant who had three daughters. The two older ones were proud and haughty. The younger one, however, was well behaved and modest, although her beauty greatly surpassed that of her sisters. She dressed simply, and thus unconsciously enhanced her beauty more than her sisters were able to do with the most expensive clothing and jewelry.

Nettchen, that was the name of the merchant's youngest daughter, had a dear girlfriend who was very poor, but equally beautiful and virtuous. She was a broom binder's daughter, and was for this reason was called Little Broomstick by young and old alike. Both girls were of one heart and one soul. They entrusted one another with their little secrets, and between them all class distinctions fell by the wayside. This angered the older sisters greatly, but Nettchen let them scold, and loved her Little Broomstick nonetheless.

Once the merchant was planning a long journey, although the season was already very advanced. He asked his daughters if they had a wish as to what he should bring home to them.

The oldest one said, "Bring me a golden necklace!"

The second, "Bring me a pair of earrings that are so beautiful that all women be envious of me because of them!"

The youngest said that she had no wish, because her father, in his goodness, had already given her everything. But the merchant insisted, so she answered with a smile, "Then bring me three roses growing on one stem."

She was convinced that her father would not be able to find such a present in the middle of winter. He kissed her for her modesty and set forth on his journey.

He was on his way home when he remembered the presents that he was supposed to get for his daughters. He soon found a golden necklace and a pair of splendid earrings, but not so the three roses for Nettchen. The father had just decided to buy some other valuable present for his darling, when suddenly -- to his surprise -- he came upon a green area. He stepped through a wide gateway and found himself in a large, blossoming garden adjacent to a splendid castle. Outside everything was covered with snow, but in the garden the trees were in blossom, nightingales were singing in the bushes, and finally he even saw a blossoming rosebush, and on one of its branches were three of the most beautiful half-open buds. Elated, he thought that now he would be able to fulfill Nettchen's wish, and he broke off the branch.

He had scarcely done so when an enormous beast with a long ugly snout, ears hanging down, and a shaggy coat and tail appeared before him and laid his long sharp claws on his shoulder. The merchant was deathly frightened, and even worse when the beast began to speak, threatening him with death for his misdeed.

The merchant begged, telling him why he wanted the roses, whereupon the beast answered, "Your youngest daughter must be a true pearl of her sex. Very well, if you will promise to give her to me as a wife in seven months, then you shall live and return to your people."

As terrified as the merchant was at this proposal, his fear nevertheless led him to make the promise, thinking that he would be able to trick the monster.

The merchant returned to his people and distributed the presents. However, he was sad and melancholy, and they noticed that he was carrying a great burden in his heart. Nettchen asked him to tell her what was troubling him, but he only gave her excuses. He told the secret only to the two older daughters, who wickedly took pleasure in the situation.

So that the father could keep his eyes on her, Nettchen was almost never allowed to leave the house. Only Little Broomstick came to visit her from time to time.

One day -- the seventh month had just passed -- she and Little Broomstick were again together when a carriage stopped before the house. A servant, gesturing silently, handed a note to the merchant. On it were written the words, "Fulfill your promise!"

The merchant was terrified, but he collected himself and asked Little Broomstick to come to him. The girl came, expecting nothing bad. The merchant pointed at her. She was lifted into the carriage, and away they went in a thundering gallop.

However, the beast recognized the deception as soon as Little Broomstick was brought before him, and he ordered the girl to go home immediately and bring back the right one. The carriage stopped again before the merchant's house, and when Little Broomstick stepped out, Nettchen fell around her neck with friendly greetings. But then she was picked up and shoved into the carriage, which drove away with its booty as fast as an arrow.

Nettchen was very frightened, but she soon collected herself. Inside the strange, beautiful castle she was received with honor, although with silent gestures, and she no longer felt concerned. Silent servants brought her the most delicious things to eat and showed her to a bedroom, where a blinding white canopy bed invited her to rest. After saying her prayers, she surrendered to the arms of sleep.

When she awoke she saw to her fright that a disgusting shaggy monster lay next to her. But it was lying there still and quiet, so she left it alone. Then it left, and she had time to think about her adventure.

The ugly beast gradually became her sleeping companion, and she grew less and less afraid of him. He cuddled up to her, and she stroked his shaggy coat and even allowed him to touch her lips with his long, cold snout. This had gone on for four weeks when one night the beast did not come to her. Nettchen could not sleep for worry and concern about what might have happened to the beast, whom she had become quite fond of.

The next morning she was walking in the garden when she saw the beast lying all stretched out on the bank of a pond that served as a bath. He did not move a limb and showed every sign of being dead. A bitter pain penetrated her breast, and she cried over the death of the poor beast. But her tears had scarcely started to flow when the monster was transformed into a handsome youth.

He stood up before her, pressed her hand to his breast, and said, "You have redeemed me from a terrible curse. My father wanted me to marry a woman whom I did not love. I refused steadfastly, and in his anger, my father had a sorceress transform me into a monster. The transformation was to last until an innocent virgin would fall in love with me in spite of my ugly form, and would cry tears on my behalf. You with your heart of an angel have done just that, and I cannot thank you enough. If you will become my wife, I will repay with love what you have done for me."

Nettchen extended him her hand, and they were married. Then the deathly quiet castle awoke in a hustle and bustle. Joy ruled everywhere, and the newlyweds lived in bliss.

Now the young wife had been given the requirement that she not return to her father's house for one year. However, she obtained a mirror in which she could see everything that was happening in her family circle. Nettchen looked into the mirror often, and she saw her father in his sorrow, although her sisters were cheerful and gay. She observed Little Broomstick as well, and how she mourned for her lost girlfriend. She did not look into the mirror for some time, and when she returned to it, she saw her father on his deathbed and her sisters in the next room making merry with their friends.

This saddened the good sister, and she confided her sorrow with her husband. He comforted her, saying, "Your father will not die. In my garden there is a plant whose sap can call back the fleeing life-spirits. The year is nearly over. Then we will fetch your father, and you will not have to be separated from him any longer."

Nettchen was pleased with this, and as soon as the year had passed, the husband and wife and their magnificent entourage journeyed to Nettchen's home city. The two older sisters nearly burst with envy and anger, while the father's joy brought back his health, so that evil turned to good. The sap restored his full strength and wellbeing. Little Broomstick too was overjoyed, and Nettchen was her old girlfriend once again. She and the merchant accompanied them back to the prince's castle.

Nettchen had a forgiving heart, and however much she had been hurt by her sisters, she wanted to share her good fortune with them. Therefore she invited them to visit her, and showed them all her wealth. However, the splendor angered the sisters, and they resolved to kill their happy sister. Once when they were in the bath, they forced Nettchen under the water, and she drowned.

They had scarcely done this when a tall female figure rose up before them and glared at them with angry eyes. She touched the dead woman with a wand, and she came back to life. "I am the sorceress who once transformed the prince," said the tall figure. I have noted your good heart and taken you under my protection. These miserable ones killed you. Now I leave their fate in your hands!"

Nettchen begged for mercy for them, but the sorceress shook her head and said, "They must die, for you will never be safe from their malice, and as soon as they have been punished, my power will cease."

"Then do with them what you will!" sobbed Nettchen.

"Let them be transformed into columns and remain such until a man falls in love with them, and that will never happen."

She touched the sisters with her hand, and they were immediately transformed into two stone columns, which to this day are still standing in the garden of the splendid castle, for it has not yet occurred to any man that he should fall in love with cold, heartless stones.

The good Little Broomstick remained Nettchen's most faithful girlfriend. She still shares her good fortune with her, if in the meantime the two of them have not died.

Beauty and the Beast-Germany 2nd Version

2011-10-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Little Nut Twig

Once upon a time there was a rich merchant whose business required him to travel abroad. Taking leave, he said to his three daughters, "Dear daughters, I would like to have something nice for you when I return. What should I bring home for you?"

The oldest one said, "Father dear, a beautiful pearl necklace for me!"

The second one said, "I would like a finger ring with a diamond stone."

The youngest one cuddled up to her father and whispered, "Daddy, a pretty green nut twig for me."

"Good, my dear daughters," said the merchant, "I will remember. Farewell."

The merchant traveled far and purchased many goods, but he also faithfully remembered his daughters' wishes. To please his eldest he had packed a costly pearl necklace into his baggage, and he had also purchased an equally valuable diamond ring for the middle daughter. But, however much he tried, he could not find a green nut twig. For this reason he went on foot a good distance on his homeward journey. His way led him in large part through the woods, and he hoped thus finally to find a nut twig. However, he did not succeed, and the good father became very depressed that he had not been able to fulfill the harmless request of his youngest and dearest child.

Finally, as he was sadly making his way down a path that led through a dark forest and next to a dense thicket, his hat rubbed against a twig, and it made a sound like hailstones falling on it. Looking up he saw that it was a pretty green nut twig, from which was hanging a cluster of golden nuts. The man was delighted. He reached his hand up and plucked the magnificent twig. But in that same instant, a wild bear shot out from the thicket and stood up on his back paws, growling fiercely, as though he were about to tear the merchant to pieces.

With a terrible voice he bellowed, "Why did you pick my nut twig, you? Why? I will eat you up!"

Shaking and trembling with fear the merchant said, "Dear bear, don't eat me. Let me go on my way with the little nut twig. I'll give you a large ham and many sausages for it!"

But the bear bellowed again, "Keep your ham and your sausages! I will not eat you, only if you will promise to give me the first thing that meets you upon your arrival home."

The merchant gladly agreed to this, for he recalled how his poodle usually ran out to greet him, and he would gladly sacrifice the poodle in order to save his own life.

Following a crude handshake the bear lumbered back into the thicket. The merchant, breathing a sigh of relief, went hurriedly and happily on his way.

The golden nut twig decorated the merchant's had splendidly as he hurried homeward. Filled with joy, the youngest girl ran to greet her dear father. The poodle followed her with bold leaps. The oldest daughters and the mother were not quite so fast to step out the door and greet home-comer.

The merchant was horrified to see that the first one to greet him was his youngest daughter. Concerned and saddened, he withdrew from the happy child's embrace, and -- following the initial greetings -- told them all that had happened with the nut twig.

They all cried and were very sad, but the youngest daughter showed the most courage, and she resolved to fulfill her father's promise.

The mother soon thought up a good plan. She said, "Dear ones, let's not be afraid. If the bear should come to hold you to your promise, dear husband, instead of giving him our youngest daughter, let's give him the herdsman's daughter. He will be satisfied with her."

This proposal was accepted. The daughters were happy once again, and they were very pleased with their beautiful presents. The youngest one always kept her nut twig with her, and she soon forgot the bear and her father's promise.

But one day a dark carriage rattled through the street and up to the front of the merchant's house. The ugly bear climbed out and walked into the house growling. He went up to the startled man and asked that his promise be fulfilled. Quickly and secretly they fetched the herdsman's daughter, who was very ugly, dressed her in good clothes, and put her in the bear's carriage.

The journey began. Once outside the town, the bear laid his wild shaggy head in the shepherd girl's lap and growled,

Tussle me, scuffle me
Soft and gentle, behind my ears,
Or I will eat you, skin and bone

The girl began to do so, but she did not do it the way the bear wanted her to, and he realized that he had been deceived. He was about to eat the disguised shepherd girl, but in her fright she quickly fled from the carriage.

Then the bear rode back to the merchant's house and, with terrible threats, demanded the right bride. So the dear maiden had to come forward, and -- following a bitterly sorrowful farewell -- she rode away with the ugly bridegroom.

Once outside the town, he laid his coarse head in the girl's lap and growled again,

Tussle me, scuffle me
Soft and gentle, behind my ears,
Or I will eat you, skin and bone

And the girl did just that, and she did it so softly that it pacified him, and his terrible bearish expression became friendly. Gradually the bear's poor bride began to gain some trust toward him. The journey did not last long, for the carriage traveled extremely fast, like a windstorm through the air. They soon came to a very dark forest, and the carriage suddenly stopped in front of a dark and yawning cave. This was where the bear lived. Oh, how the girl trembled!

The bear embraced her with his claw-arms and said to her with a friendly growl, "This is where you will live, my little bride; and you will be happy, as long as you behave yourself here, otherwise my wild animals will tear you apart."

As soon as they had gone a few steps inside the dark cave, he unlocked an iron door and stepped with his bride into a room that was filled with poisonous worms. They hissed at them rapaciously. The bear growled into his little bride's ear,

Do not look around!
Neither right nor left,
Straight ahead, and you'll be safe!

Then the girl did indeed walk through the room without looking around, and all the while not a single worm stirred or moved. And in this manner they went through ten more rooms, and the last one was filled with the most terrible creatures: dragons and snakes, toads swollen with poison, basilisks and lindorms. And in each room the bear growled,

Do not look around!
Neither right nor left,
Straight ahead, and you'll be safe!

The girl trembled and quaked with fear, like the leaves of an aspen, but she remained steadfast and did not look around, neither right nor left. When the door to the twelfth room opened up, a glistening stream of light shone toward the two of them. The most beautiful music sounded from within, and everywhere there were cries of joy.

Before the bride could comprehend this -- she was still trembling from seeing such horrible things, and now this surprising loveliness -- there was a terrible clap of thunder, and she thought that earth and heaven were breaking apart.

It was soon quiet once again. The forest, the cave, the poisonous animals, and the bear had all disappeared. In their place stood a splendid castle with rooms decorated in gold and with beautifully dressed servants. And the bear had been transformed into a handsome young man. He was the prince of this magnificent castle, and he pressed his little bride to his heart, thanking her a thousand times that she had redeemed him and his servants -- the wild animals -- from their enchantment.

She was now a high and wealthy princess, but she always wore the beautiful nut twig on her breast. It never wilted, and she especially liked to wear it, because it had been the key to her good fortune.

Her parents and sisters were soon informed of this happy turn of events. The bear prince had them brought to the castle, where they lived in splendid happiness forever after.

Beauty and the Beast-Germany Version

2011-10-09T06:17:00.001-07:00

The Clinking Clanking Lowesleaf

Once upon a time there was a king who had three daughters. The youngest was his pride and joy. One day he wanted to go to the fair to buy something, and he asked his three daughters what he should bring home for them. The first one asked for a golden spinning wheel. The second one a golden yarn reel, and the third one a clinking clanking lowesleaf. The king promised to bring these things and rode away. At the fair he bought the golden spinning wheel and the golden yarn reel, but no one had a clinking clanking lowesleaf for sale. He looked everywhere, but could not find one. This saddened him, because the youngest daughter was the joy of his life, and he wanted to please her ever so much.

As he sorrowfully made his way homeward, he came to a great, great forest and to a large birch tree. Under the birch tree there lay a large black poodle dog. Because the king looked so sad, the dog asked him what was the matter. "Oh," answered the king, "I was supposed to bring a clinking clanking lowesleaf to my youngest daughter, whom I love above anything else, but I cannot find one anywhere, and that is why I am so sad."

"I can help you," said the poodle. "The clinking clanking lowesleaf grows in this tree. If a year and a day from now you will give me that which first greets you upon your arrival home today, then you can have it."

At first the king did not want to agree, but he thought about it long and hard, then said to himself, "What could it be but our dog? Go ahead and make the promise." And he made the promise.

The poodle wagged his tail, climbed up into the birch, broke off the leaf with his frizzy-haired paw, and gave it to the king, saying, "You had better keep your word, or you will wish that you had!" The king repeated his promise, took the leaf, and rode on joyfully.

As he approached home, his youngest daughter jumped out with joy to greet him. The king was horrified. His heart was so filled with grief that he pushed her aside. She started to cry, thinking, "What does this mean, that father is pushing me away?" and she went inside and complained to her mother. Soon the king came in. He gave the oldest girl the golden spinning wheel, the middle one the golden yarn reel, and the youngest one the clinking clanking lowesleaf, and he was quiet and sad. Then the queen asked him was wrong with him, and why he had pushed the youngest daughter away; but he said nothing.

He grieved the entire year. He lamented and mourned and became thin and pale, so concerned was he. Whenever the queen asked him what was wrong, he only shook his head or walked away. Finally, when the year was nearly at its end, he could not longer keep still, and he told her about his misfortune, and thought that his wife would die of shock. She too was horrified, but she soon took hold of herself and said, "You men don't think of anything! After all, don't we have the goose herder's daughter? Let's dress her up and give her to the poodle. A stupid poodle will never know the difference."

The day arrived, and they dressed up the goose girl in their youngest daughter's clothes until she looked just perfect. They had scarcely finished when they heard a bark outside, and a scratching sound at the gate. They looked out, and sure enough, it was the large black poodle dog. They wondered who had taught him to count. After all, a year has more than three hundred days, and even a human can lose count, to say nothing of a dog! But he had not lost count. He had come to take away the princess.

The king and queen greeted him in a friendly manner, then led him outside to the goose girl. He wagged his tail and pawed at her, then he lay down on his belly and said,

Sit upon my tail,
And I'll take you away!

She sat down on him, and he took off across the heath. Soon they came to a great, great forest. When they came to the large birch tree, the poodle stopped to rest a while, for it was a hot day, and it was cool and shady here. Around and about there were many daisies [called Gänseblümchen -- goose flowers -- in German] poking up their white heads from the beautiful grass, and the girl thought about her parents, and sighed, "Oh, if only my father were here. He could graze the geese so nicely here in this beautiful, lush meadow."

The poodle stood up, shook himself, and said, "Just what kind of a girl are you?"

"I am a goose girl, and my father tends geese," she answered. She would have liked to say what the queen had told her to say, but it was impossible for anyone to tell a lie under this tree. She could not, and she could not.

He jumped up abruptly, looked at her threateningly, and said, "You are not the right one. I have no use for you:"

Sit upon my tail,
And I'll take you away!

They were not far from the king's house, when the queen saw them and realized which way the wind was blowing. Therefore she took the broom binder's daughter, dressed her up in even more beautiful clothes. When the poodle arrived and made nasty threats, she brought the broom girl out to him, saying, "This is the right girl!"

"We shall see," responded the poodle dog. The queen became very uneasy, and the king's throat tightened, but the poodle wagged his tail and scratched, then lay down on his belly, saying,

Sit upon my tail,
And I'll take you away!

The broom girl sat down on him, and he took off across the heath. Soon they too came to the great forest and to the large birch tree. As they sat there resting, the girl thought about her parents, and sighed, "Oh, if only my father were here. He could make brooms so easily, for here there are masses of thin twigs!"

The poodle stood up, shook himself, and said, "Just what kind of a girl are you?"

She wanted to lie, for the queen had ordered her to, and she was a very strict mistress, but she could not, because she was under this tree, and she answered, "I am a broom girl, and my father makes brooms."

He jumped up as though he were mad, looked at her threateningly, and said, "You are not the right one. I have no use for you:"

Sit upon my tail,
And I'll take you away!

They approached the king's house, and the king and queen, who had been steadily looking out the window, began to moan and cry, especially the king, for the youngest daughter was the apple of his eye. The court officials cried and sobbed as well, and there was nothing but mourning everywhere. But it was to no avail. The poodle arrived and said, "This time give me the right girl, or you will wish that you had!" He spoke with such a frightful voice and made such angry gestures, that everyone's heart stood still, and their skin shuddered. Then they led out the youngest daughter, dressed in white, and as pale as snow. It was as though the moon had just come out from behind dark clouds. The poodle knew that she was the right one, and said with a caressing voice,

Sit upon my tail,
And I'll take you away!

He ran much more gently this time, and did not stop in the great forest under the birch tree, but hurried deeper and deeper into the woods until they finally reached a small house, where he quietly lay the princess, who had fallen asleep, onto a soft bed. She slumbered on and dreamed about her parents, and about the strange ride, and she laughed and cried in her sleep. The poodle lay down in his hut and kept watch over the little house and the princess.

When she awoke the next morning and found herself soul alone, she cried and grieved and wanted to run away, but she could not, because the house was enchanted. It let people enter, but no one could leave. There was plenty there to eat and drink, everything that even a princess could desire, but she did not want anything and did not take a single bite. She could neither see nor hear the poodle, but the birds sang wonderfully. There were deer grazing around and about, and they looked at the princess with their large eyes. The morning wind curled her golden locks and poured fresh color over her face. The princess sighed and said, "Oh, if only someone were here, even if it were the most miserable, dirty beggar woman. I would kiss her and hug her and love her and honor her!"

"Is that true?" screeched a harsh voice close behind her, startling the princess. She looked around, and there stood a bleary-eyed woman as old as the hills. She glared at the princess and said, "You called for a beggar woman, and a beggar woman is here! In the future do not despise beggar women. Now listen well! The poodle dog is an enchanted prince, this hut an enchanted castle, the forest an enchanted city, and all the animals enchanted people. If you are a genuine princess and are also kind to poor people, then you can redeem them all and become rich and happy. The poodle goes away every morning, because he has to, and every evening he returns home, because he wants to. At midnight he pulls off his rough hide and becomes an ordinary man. If he knocks on your bedroom door, do not let him in, however much he asks and begs, not the first night, not the second night, and especially not the third night. During the third night, after he has tired himself out talking and has fallen asleep, take the hide, make a large fire, and burn it. But first lock your bedroom door securely, so that he cannot get in, and do not open it when he scratches on the door, if you cherish your life. And on your wedding day say three times, don't forget it now, say three times:

Old tongues,
Old lungs!

and I will see you again." The princess took very careful notice of everything, and the old woman disappeared.

The first night the prince asked and begged her to open her door, but she answered, "No, I'll not do it," and she did not do it. The second night he asked her even more sweetly, but she did not answer at all. She buried her head in her pillow, and she did not open the door. The third night he asked her so touchingly and sang such beautiful melodies to her, that she wanted to jump up and open the door for him, but fortunately she remembered the old woman and her mother and father. She pulled the bedcovers over her head, and did not open the door. Complaining, the prince walked away, but she did not hear him leave. While he slept she built up the fire, crept out on tiptoe, picked up the rough hide from the corner where the poodle always put it, barred the bedroom door, and threw it into the flames. The poodle jumped up howling, gnawed and clawed at the door, threatened, begged, growled, and howled again. But she did not open the door, and he could not open the door, however fiercely he threw himself against it.

The fire flamed up brightly one last time, and there was an enormous bang, as if heaven and hell had exploded. Standing before her was the most handsome prince in the world. The hut was now a magnificent castle, the forest a great city full of palaces, and the animals were all kinds of people.

At their wedding ceremony, the prince and the princess were seated at the table with the old king and the old queen and the two sisters and many rich and important people, when the bride called out three times,

Old tongues,
Old lungs!

and the tattered old woman came in. The old queen scolded, and the two princesses scolded, and they wanted to chase her away, but the young queen stood up and let the old woman sit down at her place, eat from her plate, and drink from her goblet. When the old woman had eaten and drunk her fill, she looked at the old queen and the evil daughters, and they became crooked and lame. But she blessed the young queen, and she became seven times more beautiful, and no one ever saw or heard from the old woman again.

Beauty and the Beast-Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Version

2011-10-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Summer and Winter Garden

A merchant was planning to go to a fair, so he asked his three daughters what he should bring back for them.

The oldest one said, "A beautiful dress."

The second, "A pair of pretty shoes."

The third, "A rose."

To find a rose would be difficult, for it was the middle of winter, but because the youngest daughter was the most beautiful, and because she took great pleasure in flowers, the father said that he would do his best to find her one.

The merchant was now on his homeward trip. He had a splendid dress for the oldest daughter, a pair of beautiful shoes for the second one, but he had not been able to get a rose for the third one. Whenever he had entered a garden looking for roses, the people just laughed at him, asking him if he believed that roses grew in the snow. He was very sad about this, and as he was thinking about what he might bring his dearest child, he came to a castle. It had an adjoining garden where it was half summer and half winter. On the one side the most beautiful flowers were blossoming -- large and small. On the other side everything was bare and covered with deep snow.

The man climbed from his horse. He was overjoyed to see an entire hedge full of roses on the summer side. He approached it, picked one of them, and then rode off.

He had already ridden some distance when he heard something running and panting behind him. Turning around, he saw a large black beast, that called out, "Give me back my rose, or I'll kill you! Give me back my rose, or I'll kill you!"

The man said, "Please let me have the rose. I am supposed to bring one home for my daughter, the most beautiful daughter in the world."

"For all I care, but then give me your beautiful daughter for a wife!"

In order to get rid of the beast, the man said yes, thinking that he would not come to claim her.

However, the beast shouted back to him, "In eight days I will come and get my bride."

So the merchant brought each daughter what she had wanted, and each one was delighted, especially the youngest with her rose.

Eight days later the three sisters were sitting together at the table when something came stepping heavily up the stairs to the door. "Open up! Open up!" it shouted.

They opened the door, and were terrified when a large black beast stepped inside. "Because my bride did not come to me, and the time is up, I will fetch her myself." With that he went to the youngest daughter and grabbed hold of her. She began to scream, but it did not help. She had to go away with him. And when the father came home, his dearest child had been taken away.

The black beast carried the beautiful maiden to his castle where everything was beautiful and wonderful. Musicians were playing there, and below there was the garden, half summer and half winter, and the beast did everything to make her happy, fulfilling even her unspoken desires. They ate together, and she had to scoop up his food for him, for otherwise he would not have eaten. She was dear to the beast, and finally she grew very fond of him.

One day she said to him, "I am afraid, and don't know why. It seems to me that my father or one of my sisters is sick. Couldn't I see them just once?"

So the beast led her to a mirror and said, "Look inside."

She looked into the mirror, and it was as though she were at home. She saw her living room and her father. He really was sick, from a broken heart, because he held himself guilty that his dearest child had been taken away by a wild beast and surely had been eaten up. If he could know how well off she was, then he would not be so sad. She also saw her two sisters sitting on the bed and crying.

Her heart was heavy because of all this, and she asked the beast to allow her to go home for a few days. The beast refused for a long time, but she grieved so much that he finally had pity on her and said, "Go to your father, but promise me that you will be back here in eight days."

She promised, and as she was leaving, he called out again, "Do not stay longer than eight days."

When she arrived home her father was overjoyed to see her once again, but sickness and grief had already eaten away at his heart so much that he could not regain his health, and within a few days he died.

Because of her sadness, she could think of nothing else. Her father was buried, and she went to the funeral. The sisters cried together, and consoled one another, and when her thoughts finally turned to her dear beast, the eight days were long past.

She became frightened, and it seemed to her that he too was sick. She set forth immediately and returned to his castle. When she arrived there everything was still and sad inside. The musicians were not playing. Black cloth hung everywhere. The garden was entirely in winter and covered with snow. She looked for the beast, but he was not there. She looked everywhere, but could not find him.

Then she was doubly sad, and did not know how to console herself. She sadly went into the garden where she saw a pile of cabbage heads. They were old and rotten, and she pushed them aside. After turning over a few of them she saw her dear beast. He was lying beneath them and was dead.

She quickly fetched some water and poured it over him without stopping.

Then he jumped up and was instantly transformed into a handsome prince. They got married, and the musicians began to play again, and the summer side of the garden appeared in its splendor, and the black cloth was all ripped down, and together they lived happily ever after.

Beauty and the Beast-Basque Version

2011-10-09T06:12:00.001-07:00

As there are many in the world in its state now, there was a king who had three daughters. He used continually to bring handsome presents to his two elder daughters, but did not pay any attention at all to his youngest daughter, and yet she was the prettiest and most amiable.

The king kept going from fair to fair, and from feast to feast, and from everywhere he used to bring something for the two eldest daughters. One day, when he was going to a feast, he said to his youngest daughter, "I never bring anything home for you; tell me then what you want and you shall have it."

She said to her father, "And I do not want anything."

"Yes, yes, I am going to bring you something."

"Very well then, bring me a flower."

He goes off, and is busy buying and buying; for one a hat, for the other a beautiful piece of stuff for a dress, and for the first again a shawl; and he was returning home, when in passing before a beautiful castle, he sees a garden quite full of flowers, and he says to himself, "What! I was going home without a flower for my daughter; here I shall have plenty of them."

He takes some then, and as soon, as he has done so, a voice says to him, "Who gave you permission to take that flower? As you have three daughters, if you do not bring me one of them before the year be finished, you shall be burnt wherever you are -- you, and your whole kingdom."

The king goes off home. He gives his elder daughters their presents, and her nosegay to the youngest. She thanks her father. After a certain time this king became sad. His eldest daughter said to him, "What is the matter with you ?"

He says to her, "If one of my daughters will not go to such a spot before the end of the year, I shall be burned."

His eldest daughter answers him, "Be burned if you like; as for me, I shall not go. I have no wish at all to go there. Settle it with the others."

The second also asks him, "You seem very sad, papa; what is the matter with you?"

He told her how he is bound to send one of his daughters to such a place before the end of the year, otherwise he should be burned.

This one too says to him, "Manage your own business as you like, but do not reckon upon me."

The youngest, after some days, said to him, "What is the matter with you, my father, that you are so sad? Has someone done you some hurt?"

He said to her, "When I went to get your nosegay, a voice said to me, 'I must have one of your daughters before the year be completed,' and now I do not knew what I must do. It told me that I shall be burned."

This daughter said to him, "My father, do not be troubled about it. I will go."

And she sets out immediately in a carriage. She arrives at the castle and goes in, and she hears music and sounds of rejoicing everywhere, and yet she did not see anyone. She finds her chocolate ready (in the morning), and her dinner the same. She goes to bed, and still she does not see anyone.

The next morning a voice says to her, "Shut your eyes; I wish to place my head on your knees for a moment."

"Come, come; I am not afraid."

There appears then an enormous serpent. Without intending it, the young lady could not help giving a little shudder. An instant after the serpent went away; and the young lady lived very happily, without lacking anything. One day the voice asked her if she did not wish to go home.

She answers, "I am very happy here. I have no longing for it."

"Yes, if you like, you may go for three days."

He gives her a ring, and says to her, "If that changes colour, I shall be ill, and if it turns to blood, I shall be in great misery."

The young lady sets out for her father's house. Her father was very glad (to see her). Her sisters said to her, "You must be happy there. You are prettier than you were before. With whom do you live there?"

She told them, "With a serpent."

They would not believe her. The three days flew by like a dream, and she forgot her serpent. The fourth day she looked at her ring, and she saw that it was changed. She rubs it with her finger, and it begins to bleed. Seeing that she goes running to her father, and says to him that she is going. She arrives at the castle, and finds everything sad. The music will not play -- everything was shut up. She called the serpent (his name was Azor, and hers Fifine). She kept on calling and crying out to him, but Azor appeared nowhere. After having searched the whole house, after having taken off her shoes, she goes to the garden, and there too she cries out.

She finds a corner of the earth in the garden quite frozen, and immediately she makes a great fire over this spot, and there Azor comes out, and he says to her, "You had forgotten me, then. If you had not made this fire, it would have been all up with me."

Fifine said to him, "Yes, I had forgotten you, but the ring made me think of you."

Azor said to her, "I knew what was going to happen; that is why I gave you the ring."

And coming into the house, she finds it as before, all full of rejoicings -- the music was playing on all sides.

Some days after that Azor said to her, "You must marry me."

Fifine gives no answer. He asks her again like that three times, and still she remained silent, silent. The whole house becomes sad again. She has no more her meals ready. Again Azor asks her if she will marry him. Still she does not answer, and she remains like that in darkness several days without eating anything, and she said to herself, "Whatever it shall cost me I must say yes."

When the serpent asks her again, "Will you marry me?" she answers, "Not with the serpent, but with the man."

As soon as she had said that the music begins as before. Azor says to her that she must go to her father's house and get all things ready that are necessary, and they will marry the next day. The young lady goes as he had told her. She says to her father that she is going to be married to the serpent tomorrow, (and asks him) if he will prepare everything for that. The father consents, but he is vexed. Her sisters, too, ask her whom she is going to marry, and they are astounded at hearing that it is with a serpent.

Fifine goes back again, and Azor says to her, "Which would you prefer, from the house to the church, serpent, or from the church to the house, serpent?"

Fifine says to him, "From the house to the church, serpent."

Azor says to her, "I, too."

A beautiful carriage comes to the door. The serpent gets in, and Fifine places herself at his side, and when they arrive at the king's house the serpent says to her, "Shut the doors and the curtains, that nobody may see."

Fifine says to him, "But they will see you as you get down."

"No matter; shut them all the same."

She goes to her father. Her father comes with all his court to fetch the serpent. He opens the door, and who is astonished ? Why, everybody. Instead of a serpent there is a charming young man; and they all go to the church.

When they come out there is a grand dinner at the king's, but the bridegroom says to his wife, "Today we must not make a feast at all. We have a great business to do in the house; we will come another day for the feast."

She told that to her father, and they go on to their house. When they are come there her husband brings her in a large basket a serpent's skin, and says to her, "You will make a great fire, and when you hear the first stroke of midnight you will throw this serpent's skin into the fire. That must be burnt up, and you must throw the ashes out of window before the last stroke of twelve has ceased striking. If you do not do that I shall be wretched forever."

The lady says to him, "Certainly; I will do everything that I can to succeed."

She begins before midnight to make the fire. As soon as she heard the first stroke she throws the serpent's skin on the fire, and takes two spits and stirs the fire, and moves about the skin and burns it, till ten strokes have gone. Then she takes a shovel, and throws the ashes outside as the last twelfth stroke is ending.

Then a terrible voice says, "I curse your cleverness, and what you have just done."

At the same time her husband comes in. He did not know where he was for joy. He kisses her, and does not know how to tell his wife what great good she has done him.

"Now I do not fear anything. If you had not done as I told you, I should have been enchanted for twenty-one years more. Now it is all over, and we will go at our ease tomorrow to your father's house for the wedding feast."

They go the next day and enjoy themselves very much. They return to their palace to take away the handsomest things, because they did not wish to stop any more in that corner of the mountain. They load all their valuable things in carts and waggons, and go to live with the king. This young lady has four children, two boys and two girls, and as her sisters were very jealous of her, their father sent them out of the house. The king gave his crown to his son-in-law, who was already a son of a king. As they had lived well, they died well too.

Beauty and the Beast-Joseph Jacobs Version

2011-10-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

There was once a merchant that had three daughters, and he loved them better than himself. Now it happened that he had to go a long journey to buy some goods, and when he was just starting he said to them, "What shall I bring you back, my dears?"

And the eldest daughter asked to have a necklace; and the second daughter wished to have a gold chain; but the youngest daughter said, "Bring back yourself, papa, and that is what I want the most."

"Nonsense, child," said her father, "you must say something that I may remember to bring back for you."

"So," she said, "then bring me back a rose, father."

Well, the merchant went on his journey and did his business and bought a pearl necklace for his eldest daughter, and a gold chain for his second daughter; but he knew it was no use getting a rose for the youngest while he was so far away because it would fade before he got home. So he made up his mind he would get a rose for her the day he got near his house.

When all his merchanting was done he rode off home and forgot all about the rose till he was near his house; then he suddenly remembered what he had promised his youngest daughter, and looked about to see if he could find a rose. Near where he had stopped he saw a great garden, and getting off his horse he wandered about in it till he found a lovely rosebush; and he plucked the most beautiful rose he could see on it. At that moment he heard a crash like thunder, and looking around he saw a huge monster -- two tusks in his mouth and fiery eyes surrounded by bristles, and horns coming out of its head and spreading over its back.

"Mortal," said the beast, "who told you you might pluck my roses?"

"Please, sir," said the merchant in fear and terror for his life, "I promised my daughter to bring her home a rose and forgot about it till the last moment, and then I saw your beautiful garden and thought you would not miss a single rose, or else I would have asked your permission."

"Thieving is thieving," said the beast, "whether it be a rose or a diamond; your life is forfeit."

The merchant fell on his knees and begged for his life for the sake of his three daughters who had none but him to support them.

"Well, mortal, well," said the beast, "I grant your life on one condition: Seven days from now you must bring this youngest daughter of yours, for whose sake you have broken into my garden, and leave her here in your stead. Otherwise swear that you will return and place yourself at my disposal."

So the merchant swore, and taking his rose mounted his horse and rode home.

As soon as he got into his house his daughters came rushing round him, clapping their hands and showing their joy in every way, and soon he gave the necklace to his eldest daughter, the chain to his second daughter, and then he gave the rose to his youngest, and as he gave it he sighed.

"Oh, thank you, father," they all cried.

But the youngest said, "Why did you sigh so deeply when you gave me my rose?"

"Later on I will tell you," said the merchant.

So for several days they lived happily together, though the merchant wandered about gloomy and sad, and nothing his daughters could do would cheer him up till at last he took his youngest daughter aside and said to her, "Bella, do you love your father?"

"Of course I do, father, of course I do."

"Well, now you have a chance of showing it"; and then he told her of all that had occurred with the beast when he got the rose for her. Bella was very sad, as you can well think, and then she said, "Oh, father, it was all on account of me that you fell into the power of this beast; so I will go with you to him; perhaps he will do me no harm; but even if he does -- better harm to me than evil to my dear father."

So next day the merchant took Bella behind him on his horse, as was the custom in those days, and rode off to the dwelling of the beast. And when he got there and they alighted from his horse the doors of the house opened, and what do you think they saw there! Nothing. So they went up the steps and went through the hall, and went into the dining room, and there they saw a table spread with all manner of beautiful glasses and plates and dishes and napery, with plenty to eat upon it. So they waited and they waited, thinking that the owner of the house would appear, till at last the merchant said, "Let's sit down and see what will happen then." And when they sat down invisible hands passed them things to eat and to drink, and they ate and drank to their heart's content. And when they arose from the table it arose too and disappeared through the door as if it were being carried by invisible servants.

Suddenly there appeared before them the beast who said to the merchant, "Is this your youngest daughter?"

And when he had said that it was, he said, "Is she willing to stop here with me?"

And then he looked at Bella who said, in a trembling voice, "Yes, sir."

"Well, no harm shall befall you." With that he led the merchant down to his horse and told him he might come that day each week to visit his daughter. Then the beast returned to Bella and said to her, "This house with all that therein is is yours; if you desire aught, clap your hands and say the word and it shall be brought unto you." And with that he made a sort of bow and went away.

So Bella lived on in the home with the beast and was waited on by invisible servants and had whatever she liked to eat and to drink; but she soon got tired of the solitude and, next day, when the beast came to her, though he looked so terrible, she had been so well treated that she had lost a great deal of her terror of him. So they spoke together about the garden and about the house and about her father's business and about all manner of things, so that Bella lost altogether her fear of the beast. Shortly afterwards her father came to see her and found her quite happy, and he felt much less dread of her fate at the hands of the beast.

So it went on for many days, Bella seeing and talking to the beast every day, till she got quite to like him, until one day the beast did not come at his usual time, just after the midday meal, and Bella quite missed him. So she wandered about the garden trying to find him, calling out his name, but received no reply. At last she came to the rosebush from which her father had plucked the rose, and there, under it, what do you think she saw! There was the beast lying huddled up without any life or motion. Then Bella was sorry indeed and remembered all the kindness that the beast had shown her; and she threw herself down by it and said, "Oh, Beast, Beast, why did you die? I was getting to love you so much."

No sooner had she said this than the hide of the beast split in two and out came the most handsome young prince who told her that he had been enchanted by a magician and that he could not recover his natural form unless a maiden should, of her own accord, declare that she loved him.

Thereupon the prince sent for the merchant and his daughters, and he was married to Bella, and they all lived happy together ever afterwards.

50 Manga Babes

2011-09-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

MIU THE SCHOOL GIRL
Too much homework, overbearing teachers, having no boyfriend, etc, etc...Miu is your typical high school student, with your typical high school problems. But despite being touted as an illustrious academic with a bright future, all Miu really wants to do is draw. Her real passion in life is manga comic illustration, and she loves nothing more than telling great stories with beautiful, diaphanous line art. Of course this is something she keeps to herself, because those close to her would never understand why she would throw away her education just to doodle! Despite this Miu persists, and is busy after school every day, working on her next manga. Maybe it's time for Miu to show the world what her vivid imagination, and drawing skills are capable of! Go Miu!

INGRID THE PRINCESS OF SWEDEN
With her light blonde hair, blue eyes and delicate looks, Ingrid is the very picture of Scandinavian beauty, and along with her gracious demeanour this has earned her many admirers. She loves to dance and is greatly inspired by the waltzes of Johann Strauss and Tchaikovsky. She is also a superb harpsichord player and practises her craft daily.

BELLE THE FRENCH MAID
Belle works as a maid in a gorgeous baroque-style mansion in Fleurville. Although her bedroom is in the attic, she's content beause it affords her a beautiful view of the mansion gardens. She is attentive and quick to attend to her employers or their guests when they need something. She is a diligent employee and likes to carry out all her tasks properly.

NERUMI THE CATGIRL
Once an adept theif and spy for her tribe of cat people, Nerumi ran into trouble when she was captured during one of her 'outings', and an evil witch doctor put an old bell curse on her. Now she's unable to slink around undetected as she once did, but she's still very quick and agile, and can be an extremely vicious opponent. At heart, though, she's as playful and mischievous as a kitten.

TSUBAME THE NINJA
Tsubame is a strong young woman who was born out of wedlock to an incredibly talented and beautiful female ninja. Now a vagabond ninja herself, she has trained hard to hone her skills in the hope that one day her mother - who still plots revenge against the man who never took her love seriously - may be at peace.

LAETITIA THE SWORDSWOMAN
The daughter of a once world-renowned French swordsman, Laetitia has devoted her entire life to the art form for which her father was so revered. In her early teens, Laetitia witnessed her father's fatal defeat at the hand of a master samurai from Japan. She has vowed to one day be good enough to exact revenge by defeating her father's killer. Since then she has toiled day and night, studying all the different forms of swordsmanship, and honing her skill to perfection. Will she defeat the master samurai from the East? Or will she suffer her father's fate?

LEIGHLAH THE ASSASSIN
Due to trouble at home, Leighlah moved to live with her uncle when she was six years old. There she learned various martial arts, and how to use the samurai katana. At fifteen years of age, she came home from school to find her uncle dead, assassinated. Broken-hearted, she lived with a foster family for three years, training herself in the art of killing every day after school. At twenty four, she finally avenged her uncle's murder. Now twenty nine, she is one of the world's top assassins.

FIONNULA THE WARRIOR
A simple farm girl, Fionnula lost everything when her home was raided by bandits. Afterward, she roamed the dusty country roads, until she was picked up by a kindhearted old mercenary. Driven by the urge of vengeance, Fionnula begged to learn the art of war. Although reluctant to lead this strong-willed girl into his deadly way of life, he was persuaded, and in time he became proud of his apprentice. Woe to those who underestimate Fionnula, for she commands strength not evident in her delicate build!

YING THE MARTIAL ARTIST
Her name means 'Eagle', and like her namesake she is agile, feorcious and powerful. Ying is a determined Chinese warrior, who wants to be a world champion. She travels to distant shores with one thing in mind: to claim victory in battle. Aggressive and guarded, she is hard to get close to. She only shows her feelings in the heat of battle, and she relishes the idea of challenging top fighters. She fights bare-handed, believing this to be the purest, truest form of fighting.

TATIANA THE MECHA PILOT
This is one smart lady. Tatiana is the head pilot and instructor for the Earth Defence Force, Lightning Brigade, Mecha Units. She is loud and brassy, but friendly, laid-back and approachable - always ready to relax with her team, challenge them to arm-wrestling competitions and drink them under the table. But when she flies she is a deadly force to be reckoned with. With years of experience, there are few who can stand up to her on the battlefield.

SHI-YUE WU THE MILITARY
She-Yue is a young, and inexperienced, captain. She would rather fight alone than with others by her side. The interplanetary war started ten years before she was born, and the government picked her out before birth. Since the age of three she has been educated in history and battle skills. Shi-Yue showed great promise, and by her early teens was fighting on the battlefield. Stubborn and passionate, she still manages to keep a positive attitude, even if things turn sour.

ORUHA THE GEISHA
Oruha is a woman of many contradictions - refined yet girlish, seductive yet untouchable. She is a geisha of geiko rank in the Kyoto hanamachi: experienced and professional. The most charming woman you will ever meet, she has an air of mystery around her - who knows how she really feels? She is an entertainer and confidante, paid for her unrivalled good company! She is a master of dance, and keeps her fan with her at all times so she can perform should a client request it. Here, it is the end of a long day of formal engagements, and she relaxes with a regular client.

YUMIKO THE FESTIVAL GIRL
To little Yumiko-chan, there is no greater joy than witnessing the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom between late March and early April, when the cherry blossom festival is held. 'Hanami', as it is known in Japan, is an event Yumiko and her friends look forward to all year. When the day arrives, they just chill out and relax: sitting in Tokyo's Ueno Park from day to night taking in the view; parading around in beautiful yukata robes; sipping sweet rice wine; eating dango dumplings; chatting to cute boys; and just generally having a ball! And because it only comes once a year, Yumiko is always determined to party enough within those fleeting two weeks to last her until next time!

SHIORI THE SHINTO BRIDE
Shiori has always wanted to get married. So, when her boyfriend proposed, she was ecstatic and began making plans for the wedding immediately. Shiori has a romantic and traditional soul, and because she is a girl, she has dreamed of having a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony just as her parents and grandparents did. Even though most of her friends are now opting for Western-style weddings with enormous princess dresses, Shiori feels elegant and dignified in her traditional attire.

GRANDMA
Grandma has lived a long life, and she's been through plenty of hard times. She may no longer be the babe she was in her youth, but a positive attitude and good sense of humour have kept her cheerful and youthful in attitude. Her grandchildren are her sunshine and she's always very happy to have them visit. She fills her time by tending to her flower garden, which is small but beautiful.

MARI THE MIKO (TEMPLE MAIDEN)
Mari is a bright, cheerful teenager whose father runs the local shrine. She is happy to help her family as a shrine maiden (or 'miko') during festivals ('o-matsuri') and other special events. She loves the excitement and fun! She is friendly and popular in her neighbourhood, and goes out of her way to help others.

ANA THE PUNK ROCKER
From the venues she frequents to her trendy fashion statements, Ana is a quintessential modern rock chick! Being a lover of eclectic music, she aspired to be a musician from a young age. Her musical destinty was sealed from the moment she picked up her first guitar, bought by her father for her eleventh birthday. Making up one quarter of the acclaimed rock outfit 'Missiles a Go-Go', Ana leaves jaws on the mosh-pit floow whenever she performs. Not only is she living proof that girls rock harder than boys, she is also an inspiration to all young guitarists, being only sixteen and already a globally-worshipped guitar heroine!

TOKI DOKI THE WACKY
This girl is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. No one knows her real name, who she is or even what planet she is from! All that is known about this strange being is that she crops up sporadically in Tokyo's videogame, anime and shopping Mecca 'Akihabara'. The locals call her Toki Doki, which means 'now and then'. She never utters a word, but she will play anyone on any arcade machine, and has never lost a match. Her mysteriousness, unorthodox appearance and flawless videogame prowess has ensured her legendary status in Akihabara. Tourists from all over the country visit just to catch a glimpse of her. If you do spot her, don't get too close; that phase she carries is no toy, as a few unfortunates have found out the hard way...

REIKO THE HIP-HOP
Reiko is a huge fan of American hip-hop music, which has pervaded the Tokyo youth scene. She avidly watches music videos in order to copy her idols' sense of style and attitude. On weekends, she browses specilist hip-hop boutiques in the ultra-trendy Tokyo districts of Shibuya and Harajuku, then spends the entire night clubbing in Roppongi. She's an excellent dancer with a naturally toned body. Her dream is to travel to New York and build a career as a model or dancer.

CHIAKI THE ELEGANT GOTHIC
Descendant of a legendary Japanese vampire lineage, Chiaki is the result of an illicit love affair between the late vampire king and his mortal lover. Being half vampire and half human, Chiaki has struggled with her identity all her life, and has failed to find the acceptance she so craves. Since the death of her birth mother, her father, the vampire king, vanished into darkness never to be seen again. Now little Chiaki resides in the grand castle alone, destined to live out an eternity without ever knowing what it is to love and to be loved.

MARIA THE CYBORG
Maria was a highly skilled Shaolin martial artist with many enemies. Following a battle with her arch nemesis, she was very nearly killed when she fell from the roof of a building. Left for dead, a scientist stumbled across her broken body and took her back to his laboratory where he is rebuilding her as a cyborg. Maria is now part robot, and when the rebuilding is finally over she plans to hunt down her enemies and seek revenge.

ARIEL THE ANGEL
A normal girl by day, at night after she falls asleep Ariel transforms into a benevolent angel - a graceful, effortless being. Neither friends nor family know about this nocturnal transformation because Ariel's physical appearance is completely changed. Ariel has no memory of her night-time adventures in the morning when she wakes, but by night she is a mysterious force for good, touching the lives of many of those around her.

LESTATIA THE VAMPIRE
Lestatia Krasnova was born in 650 AD in Samova Ria (now Slovakia). A promising violinist, she was bitten by a vampire - the granddaughter of the infamous, eternal Dracul - at the tender age of seventeen. Ever since, she has stalked the night in search of young blood to suck. She vows to share her immortality only with the One, whom she has yet to meet.

MIKA THE FAIRY
Mika is so small that she could sleep on your palm, but it is more likely that she will remain hidden because when she flies she is transparent; just a small glimmer of light in the air means she may have decided to show herself! If you do see her, it's best to remain calm and to listen to her whispered words. Maybe she will ask about a deepest wish, and grant it with a gesture of her hand and a sweet smile.

RINA THE WITCH
Rina is an apprentice witch. Bubbly and charming, Rina is always a ray of sunshine. She comes from a long line of witches, and is almost fully qualified. She is hardworking and talented, but her happy-go-lucky doesn't always go down well at school.

7L THE SUPERHERO
7L, also known as Leneves Kaster, crash-landed on Earth in a metal comet from an unknown planet when she was a baby. A stranger to her past, and to her powers, until early adulthood, she discovered them while meditating on Mount Vesuvius. Her third eye burst open in a jet of flames, and her powers of flight and superhuman strength were revealed. Which is just as well, because her arch-nemesis, Knemesis, the planet-eating robot virus that destroyed her home, is on his way to Earth and only 7L can destroy him!

ALIKA THE BEACH BABE
Healthy young Alika loves nothing more than hanging out at the beach, soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea with her friends. Her healthy tanned skin and shapely curves attract lots of attention from boys, especially when she parades around in a hot bikini! Yet Alike remains single by choice; she believes that most men are losers, and she tenaciously holds out for the ever-elusive Mr Right to come along and sweep her off her feet.

KEIKO OGAWA THE TOMBOY
Keiko is a no-nonsense tomboy who just wants to chill out with her best friend, Miyuki Tanaka, and practice her karate. Keiko's uncle runs a karate dojo, and Keiko has been going there since she was very young. Keiko was in the top 10 in Japan's National Junior Karate Championship, and she aims to become top five this year. Keiko is in Grade 9, and lives with her parents. Her father is a fashion designer, and her mother is a karate instructor at Keiko's uncle's dojo.

ALISHA THE GLAMOUR GIRL
Alisha is a true girly-girl and loves her high heels and handbags. Her diary is stuffed full of sample sale and fashion week dates, as well as hair and make-up appointments. She works for a high-end lifestyle magazine and feels it is part of her job to keep up with the latest trends (well, that's her excuse anyway). Her style is flirty, but she's an expert at keeping potential suitors at arm's length!

LINA THE GEEK
Her nanny must have been a computer, because Lina likes to talk to computer screens more than real faces! Her friends do not live in her neighbourhood - they are spread all over the planet, connected like a family by the Internet - but she also has a biological family, and when it is time to eat Lina sometimes hears her mother call. But maybe an important email message is due, so Lina forgets her hunger and the people waiting at the table.

MIMI THE RETRO-KITSCH
A walking fashion statement, Mimi's high-contrast, retro-kitsch styling turns heads wherever she goes. With a passion for electronic music and clubbing, you'll find her out and about every weekend in the most fashionable underground club scenes dancing the night away. Mimi is one cool lady who knows what she wants and does not tolerate anything short of sheer perfection. Approach her in last season's threads at your peril.

PAI THE CUTE YOUTH
Like many young girls, Pai dreams of being a pop singer one day, and she's so adorable she might just make it. Young and energetic, yet naive and somewhat dreamy, she spends much of her life daydreaming about the future while dealing with the daily troubles of adolescence. At school she loves history, literature and music, but hates maths and sports. Her mother has connections in the entertainment industry, so Pai also has a job on the side as a child fashion model.

HEIDI THE ANDROGYNOUS
Heidi is a total mystery! At first, no one can tell if she is a boy or a girl. The way she dresses and acts really confuses people. Heidi attracts a lot of attention, but she is actually reserved and shy. She loves books, and spends her weekends reading in her back garden.

HOSHIKO THE KINDERGARTEN GIRL
Other kids complain when they have to walk to school in the rain: not so Hoshiko! Her eyes widen and her heart beats faster with anticipation when she sees raindrops dance in the puddles. She enjoys walking to kindergarten, jumping enthusiastically into every puddle she comes across!

ABI & KIOKO THE MOTHER & DAUGHTER
Abi is a mother and a housewife, even though Kioko's father left just after Kioko, her daughter, was born. Abi is still young at heart and carefree, but also wise and caring. She loves to take Kioko to the park, and Kioko thinks her mummy is a beautiful goddess and wants to be just like her when she grows up.

FAY THE FLOWER MAID
Fay grew up in a poor family, so her start in life was not easy. With no access to education, she had to survive selling flowers until one day she woke up and decided to change her life. Standing before her mirror, she realized that with a makeover and a nice outfit she could be a very beautiful girl. So she scraped her money together, and turned herself into a flower maid. Men could not avert their eyes from her, and as a result many girls were surprised by unexpected flowers from their sweethearts. As her business grows, Fay plans to one day buy her own flower shop.

TRINA THE HANDY GIRL
Born into a family of ballet dancers, Trina was expected to follow in their footsteps; however, due to a close friendship with her family's caretaker, she soon discovered a talent for handiwork. She finds the smell of newly cut timber and the buzzing of her trusty drill far more gratifying than pirouettes and plies. With fierce attention to detail, Trina stops at nothing to perfect her craft.

AKIHA THE SECRETARY
Akiha is head personal assistant to the chief executive officer of one of the most prestigious corporate organizations ever, although you would never guess this by looking at her! Akiha's bubbly, upbeat demeanour is not expected from someone in her role. But it is because of this that she is where she is today: by delivering unfaltering professionalism with a charming little smile!

CHO THE COOK
Cho is a young, ambitious Japanese chef, and her greatest desire is to be a cookery star on television. However, her enthusiasm outweighs her skill. As she dreams of a life of stardom, the thrashin fish slips from her hands and escapes. She chases the fugitive fish with the battle cry 'Banzai!' She is more like a martial artist than a professional cook!

STACEY THE SPORTSWOMAN
Stacey loves sports, being active, and keeping fit. She is not skinny, nor is she outrageously curvy; she has toned arms, strong legs and a flat tummy. Tennis is one of her favourite sports - not only are the outfits cute, but tennis satisfies her competitive streak. You can see in her face that she hates to lose! Although she is an avid sportswoman, she still likes to look very feminine; hence her choice of pretty pink accessories.

CHIKA THE POP IDOL
It's the mid-1980s. Chika is only nineteen, and is already at the top of the charts with a self-penned pop song. Her music education started with classical piano lessons but there is fire in this girl's belly, and only rock music allows her to express it adequately; pop is not the style of music she lives for! However, she has a keen business mind, and she gives people what they want to hear in order to earn lots of money. One day she will break free to create the music she really loves.

SANDY THE COWGIRL
Sandy is born-and-bred cowgirl, having grown up on a ranch in Texas where she learned how to ride horses and tend cattle. Like all cowboys she owns a revolver, but keeps it hidden under her bed and only uses it in emergencies. She's high-spirited adn hot-blooded, but aggression doesn't suit her carefree nature, and after a hard day working on the ranch she loves going to local bars to dance and flirt.

HIKARI THE WRESTLER
Conquering wrestlers around the world has been Hikari's dream ever since she saw her idol, Mysterious Dragon Mask, win the Japanese female championship when she was a child. She grew up pursuing the lofty dream of being the best of the best, and procuring the legendary Dragon Mask for herself. Although still an amateur, Hikari's resolve is unbreakable, and she will get up every time she is slammed to the mat.

DAVINA THE DIVA
As a child, Davina would watch divas on television. She was fascinated by their costumes, dancing and singing. Years later, her own mysterious beauty and expressive voice have brought her fame. After years of work, she became the singing star she had longed to be. Here she poses for a full-page magazine advert for her own scent!

MISS APPLETON THE TEACHER
Miss Appleton is well known for her stern approach to education and having no tolerance of anything imperfect. A multidisciplinary woman of extraordinary talents, Miss Appleton does not specialize in any particular subject: she specializes in them all! From physics to maths, from gym to art, from Latin to German, this lady's knowledge and skills are beyond comprehension. She is also a black belt in various martial arts. This is one teacher you don't want to mess with!

NINA THE NURSE
Nina may appear to be a highly motivated nurse, with a caring bedside manner, but appearances can be deceiving. In fact, she is a ruthless practical joker who enjoys playing tricks on the other nurses and telling tall stories to the patients, enjoying the dumbfounded expressions she elicits from her victims.

SATSUKI IN THE SNOW
Satsuki loves the snow and, as she heads to school she's overjoyed that the first snow is falling. She's wrapped up warmly in her winter school uniform, a warm coat and pink scarf, but she's still a fashionable girl at heart, choosing to go bare-legged with large, loose socks. Cheeful though she is now, she's forgotten that there's bound to be a snowball fight in the playground, and her bright pink hair makes her a prime, unwilling target - not that she can't throw a few snowballs back herself!

LITTLE MISS MITSUKI
Mitsuki may seem like a normal ten-year-old, but in reality she's the princess of Pikari Land, a magical kingdom in another dimension. In Pikari Land all children of royal blood are sent out into the world once they reach the age of ten, where they have a year to make all their dreams come true before returning to the kingdom to study the harsh world of politics. With her faithful henchmen Mitsuki has set out with big dreams, and her sweet smile and happy-go-lucky attitude mean that she's adored by everyone she meets.

MORWENNA THE DARK ELF
Morwenna is cool, aloof and distant. Cunning, shrewd and ever-so-slightly cruel, she is a denizen of the night, at home in forests and caves. She is an expert huntress and fierce fighter, but is more than happy to use her otherworldly beauty in order to get her own way. Even in a chibi version her attitude still shines through!

PIPPA THE PIXIE
Pippa is a cute little flower pixie - sweet and playful, curious and changeable! A carefree creature, she dances through forest glades, bouncing on petals, drinking dew and taking naps under shady ferns. This mercurial lifestyle means she is easily distracted and cannot sit still for very long. Count yourself lucky if you get a glimpse of her, as something else will inevitably catch her eye and off she'll go in pursuit!

(For character reference)

Death & The Maiden

2011-09-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Maiden:
Pass me by! Oh, pass me by!
Go, fierce man of bones!
I am still young! Go, rather,
And do not touch me.
And do not touch me.

Death:
Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form!
I am a friend, and come not to punish.
Be of good cheer! I am not fierce,
Softly shall you sleep in my arms!

(Written by Schubert based on a poem by German poet Matthias Claudius)

Der Erlkönig

2011-09-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Who rides there so late through the night dark and drear?
The father it is, with his infant so dear;
He holdeth the boy tightly clasp'd in his arm,
He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm.

"My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide?"
"Look, father, the Erl King is close by our side!
Dost see not the Erl King, with crown and with train?"
"My son, 'tis the mist rising over the plain."

"Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me!
For many a game I will play there with thee;
On my beach, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold,
My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold."

"My father, my father, and dost thou not hear
The words that the Erl King now breathes in mine ear?"
"Be calm, dearest child, thy fancy deceives;
the wind is sighing through withering leaves."

"Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there?
My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care
My daughters by night on the dance floor you lead,
They'll cradle and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep."

"My father, my father, and dost thou not see,
How the Erl King is showing his daughters to me?"
"My darling, my darling, I see it alright,
'Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight."

"I love thee, I'm charm'd by thy beauty, dear boy!
And if thou aren't willing, then force I'll employ."
"My father, my father, he seizes me fast,
For sorely the Erl King has hurt me at last."

The father now gallops, with terror half wild,
He holds in his arms the shuddering child;
He reaches his farmstead with toil and dread,—
The child in his arms lies motionless, dead.

A Sound of Thunder

2011-09-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

The sign on the wall seemed to quaver under a film of sliding warm water. Eckels felt his eyelids blink over his stare, and the sign burned in this momentary darkness:

TIME SAFARI, INC.
SAFARIS TO ANY YEAR IN THE PAST.
YOU NAME THE ANIMAL.
WE TAKE YOU THERE.
YOU SHOOT IT.

Warm phlegm gathered in Eckels’ throat; he swallowed and pushed it down. The muscles around his mouth formed a smile as he put his hand slowly out upon the air, and in that hand waved a check for ten thousand dollars to the man behind the desk.

“Does this safari guarantee I come back alive?”

“We guarantee nothing,” said the official, “except the dinosaurs.” He turned. “This is Mr. Travis, your Safari Guide in the Past. He’ll tell you what and where to shoot. If he says no shooting, no shooting. If you disobey instructions, there’s a stiff penalty of another ten thousand dollars, plus possible government action, on your return.”

Eckels glanced across the vast office at a mass and tangle, a snaking and humming of wires and steel boxes, at an aurora that flickered now orange, now silver, now blue. There was a sound like a gigantic bonfire burning all of Time, all the years and all the parchment calendars, all the hours piled high and set aflame.

A touch of the hand and this burning would, on the instant, beautifully reverse itself. Eckels remembered the wording in the advertisements to the letter. Out of chars and ashes, out of dust and coals, like golden salamanders, the old years, the green years, might leap; roses sweeten the air, white hair turn Irish-black, wrinkles vanish; all, everything fly back to seed, flee death, rush down to their beginnings, suns rise in western skies and set in glorious easts, moons eat themselves opposite to the custom, all and everything cupping one in another like Chinese boxes, rabbits into hats, all and everything returning to the fresh death, the seed death, the green death, to the time before the beginning. A touch of a hand might do it, the merest touch of a hand.

“Unbelievable.” Eckels breathed, the light of the Machine on his thin face. “A real Time Machine.” He shook his head. “Makes you think, If the election had gone badly yesterday, I might be here now running away from the results. Thank God Keith won. He’ll make a fine President of the United States.”

“Yes,” said the man behind the desk. “We’re lucky. If Deutscher had gotten in, we’d have the worst kind of dictatorship. There’s an anti everything man for you, a militarist, anti-Christ, anti-human, anti-intellectual. People called us up, you know, joking but not joking. Said if Deutscher became President they wanted to go live in 1492. Of course it’s not our business to conduct Escapes, but to form Safaris. Anyway, Keith’s President now. All you got to worry about is-”

“Shooting my dinosaur,” Eckels finished it for him.

“A Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Tyrant Lizard, the most incredible monster in history. Sign this release. Anything happens to you, we’re not responsible. Those dinosaurs are hungry.”

Eckels flushed angrily. “Trying to scare me!”

“Frankly, yes. We don’t want anyone going who’ll panic at the first shot. Six Safari leaders were killed last year, and a dozen hunters. We’re here to give you the severest thrill a real hunter ever asked for. Traveling you back sixty million years to bag the biggest game in all of Time. Your personal check’s still there. Tear it up.” Mr. Eckels looked at the check. His fingers twitched.

“Good luck,” said the man behind the desk. “Mr. Travis, he’s all yours.”

They moved silently across the room, taking their guns with them, toward the Machine, toward the silver metal and the roaring light.

First a day and then a night and then a day and then a night, then it was day-night-day-night. A week, a month, a year, a decade! A.D. 2055. A.D. 2019. 1999! 1957! Gone! The Machine roared.

They put on their oxygen helmets and tested the intercoms.

Eckels swayed on the padded seat, his face pale, his jaw stiff. He felt the trembling in his arms and he looked down and found his hands tight on the new rifle. There were four other men in the Machine. Travis, the Safari Leader, his assistant, Lesperance, and two other hunters, Billings and Kramer. They sat looking at each other, and the years blazed around them.

“Can these guns get a dinosaur cold?” Eckels felt his mouth saying.

“If you hit them right,” said Travis on the helmet radio. “Some dinosaurs have two brains, one in the head, another far down the spinal column. We stay away from those. That’s stretching luck. Put your first two shots into the eyes, if you can, blind them, and go back into the brain.”

The Machine howled. Time was a film run backward. Suns fled and ten million moons fled after them. “Think,” said Eckels. “Every hunter that ever lived would envy us today. This makes Africa seem like Illinois.”

The Machine slowed; its scream fell to a murmur. The Machine stopped.

The sun stopped in the sky.

The fog that had enveloped the Machine blew away and they were in an old time, a very old time indeed, three hunters and two Safari Heads with their blue metal guns across their knees.

“Christ isn’t born yet,” said Travis, “Moses has not gone to the mountains to talk with God. The Pyramids are still in the earth, waiting to be cut out and put up. Remember that. Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler – none of them exists.” The man nodded. “That” – Mr. Travis pointed – “is the jungle of sixty million two thousand and fifty-five years before President Keith.”

He indicated a metal path that struck off into green wilderness, over streaming swamp, among giant ferns and palms.

“And that,” he said, “is the Path, laid by Time Safari for your use. It floats six inches above the earth. Doesn’t touch so much as one grass blade, flower, or tree. It’s an anti-gravity metal. Its purpose is to keep you from touching this world of the past in any way. Stay on the Path. Don’t go off it. I repeat. Don’t go off. For any reason! If you fall off, there’s a penalty. And don’t shoot any animal we don’t okay.”

“Why?” asked Eckels.

They sat in the ancient wilderness. Far birds’ cries blew on a wind, and the smell of tar and an old salt sea, moist grasses, and flowers the color of blood.

“We don’t want to change the Future. We don’t belong here in the Past. The government doesn’t like us here. We have to pay big graft to keep our franchise. A Time Machine is finicky business. Not knowing it, we might kill an important animal, a small bird, a roach, a flower even, thus destroying an important link in a growing species.”

“That’s not clear,” said Eckels.

“All right,” Travis continued, “say we accidentally kill one mouse here. That means all the future families of this one particular mouse are destroyed, right?”

“Right.”

“And all the families of the families of the families of that one mouse! With a stamp of your foot, you annihilate first one, then a dozen, then a thousand, a million, a billion possible mice!”

“So they’re dead,” said Eckels. “So what?”

“So what?” Travis snorted quietly. “Well, what about the foxes that’ll need those mice to survive? For want of ten mice, a fox dies. For want of ten foxes a lion starves. For want of a lion, all manner of insects, vultures, infinite billions of life forms are thrown into chaos and destruction. Eventually it all boils down to this: fifty-nine million years later, a caveman, one of a dozen on the entire world, goes hunting wild boar or saber-toothed tiger for food. But you, friend, have stepped on all the tigers in that region. By stepping on one single mouse. So the caveman starves. And the caveman, please note, is not just any expendable man, no! He is an entire future nation. From his loins would have sprung ten sons. From their loins one hundred sons, and thus onward to a civilization. Destroy this one man, and you destroy a race, a people, an entire history of life. It is comparable to slaying some of Adam’s grandchildren. The stomp of your foot, on one mouse, could start an earthquake, the effects of which could shake our earth and destinies down through Time, to their very foundations. With the death of that one caveman, a billion others yet unborn are throttled in the womb. Perhaps Rome never rises on its seven hills. Perhaps Europe is forever a dark forest, and only Asia waxes healthy and teeming. Step on a mouse and you crush the Pyramids. Step on a mouse and you leave your print, like a Grand Canyon, across Eternity. Queen Elizabeth might never be born, Washington might not cross the Delaware, there might never be a United States at all. So be careful. Stay on the Path. Never step off!”

“I see,” said Eckels. “Then it wouldn’t pay for us even to touch the grass?”

“Correct. Crushing certain plants could add up infinitesimally. A little error here would multiply in sixty million years, all out of proportion. Of course maybe our theory is wrong. Maybe Time can’t be changed by us. Or maybe it can be changed only in little subtle ways. A dead mouse here makes an insect imbalance there, a population disproportion later, a bad harvest further on, a depression, mass starvation, and finally, a change in social temperament in far-flung countries. Something much more subtle, like that. Perhaps only a soft breath, a whisper, a hair, pollen on the air, such a slight, slight change that unless you looked close you wouldn’t see it. Who knows? Who really can say he knows? We don’t know. We’re guessing. But until we do know for certain whether our messing around in Time can make a big roar or a little rustle in history, we’re being careful. This Machine, this Path, your clothing and bodies, were sterilized, as you know, before the journey. We wear these oxygen helmets so we can’t introduce our bacteria into an ancient atmosphere.”

“How do we know which animals to shoot?”

“They’re marked with red paint,” said Travis. “Today, before our journey, we sent Lesperance here back with the Machine. He came to this particular era and followed certain animals.”

“Studying them?”

“Right,” said Lesperance. “I track them through their entire existence, noting which of them lives longest. Very few. How many times they mate. Not often. Life’s short, When I find one that’s going to die when a tree falls on him, or one that drowns in a tar pit, I note the exact hour, minute, and second. I shoot a paint bomb. It leaves a red patch on his side. We can’t miss it. Then I correlate our arrival in the Past so that we meet the Monster not more than two minutes before he would have died anyway. This way, we kill only animals with no future, that are never going to mate again. You see how careful we are?”

“But if you came back this morning in Time,” said Eckels eagerly, you must’ve bumped into us, our Safari! How did it turn out? Was it successful? Did all of us get through – alive?”

Travis and Lesperance gave each other a look.

“That’d be a paradox,” said the latter. “Time doesn’t permit that sort of mess-a man meeting himself. When such occasions threaten, Time steps aside. Like an airplane hitting an air pocket. You felt the Machine jump just before we stopped? That was us passing ourselves on the way back to the Future. We saw nothing. There’s no way of telling if this expedition was a success, if we got our monster, or whether all of us – meaning you, Mr. Eckels – got out alive.”

Eckels smiled palely.

“Cut that,” said Travis sharply. “Everyone on his feet!”

They were ready to leave the Machine.

The jungle was high and the jungle was broad and the jungle was the entire world forever and forever. Sounds like music and sounds like flying tents filled the sky, and those were pterodactyls soaring with cavernous gray wings, gigantic bats of delirium and night fever.

Eckels, balanced on the narrow Path, aimed his rifle playfully.

“Stop that!” said Travis. “Don’t even aim for fun, blast you! If your guns should go off – ”

Eckels flushed. “Where’s our Tyrannosaurus?”

Lesperance checked his wristwatch. “Up ahead, We’ll bisect his trail in sixty seconds. Look for the red paint! Don’t shoot till we give the word. Stay on the Path. Stay on the Path!”

They moved forward in the wind of morning.

“Strange,” murmured Eckels. “Up ahead, sixty million years, Election Day over. Keith made President. Everyone celebrating. And here we are, a million years lost, and they don’t exist. The things we worried about for months, a lifetime, not even born or thought of yet.”

“Safety catches off, everyone!” ordered Travis. “You, first shot, Eckels. Second, Billings, Third, Kramer.”

“I’ve hunted tiger, wild boar, buffalo, elephant, but now, this is it,” said Eckels. “I’m shaking like a kid.”

“Ah,” said Travis.

Everyone stopped.

Travis raised his hand. “Ahead,” he whispered. “In the mist. There he is. There’s His Royal Majesty now.”

The jungle was wide and full of twitterings, rustlings, murmurs, and sighs.

Suddenly it all ceased, as if someone had shut a door.

Silence.

A sound of thunder.

Out of the mist, one hundred yards away, came Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“It,” whispered Eckels. “It……

“Sh!”

It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker’s claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior. Each thigh was a ton of meat, ivory, and steel mesh. And from the great breathing cage of the upper body those two delicate arms dangled out front, arms with hands which might pick up and examine men like toys, while the snake neck coiled. And the head itself, a ton of sculptured stone, lifted easily upon the sky. Its mouth gaped, exposing a fence of teeth like daggers. Its eyes rolled, ostrich eggs, empty of all expression save hunger. It closed its mouth in a death grin. It ran, its pelvic bones crushing aside trees and bushes, its taloned feet clawing damp earth, leaving prints six inches deep wherever it settled its weight.

It ran with a gliding ballet step, far too poised and balanced for its ten tons. It moved into a sunlit area warily, its beautifully reptilian hands feeling the air.

“Why, why,” Eckels twitched his mouth. “It could reach up and grab the moon.”

“Sh!” Travis jerked angrily. “He hasn’t seen us yet.”

“It can’t be killed,” Eckels pronounced this verdict quietly, as if there could be no argument. He had weighed the evidence and this was his considered opinion. The rifle in his hands seemed a cap gun. “We were fools to come. This is impossible.”

“Shut up!” hissed Travis.

“Nightmare.”

“Turn around,” commanded Travis. “Walk quietly to the Machine. We’ll remit half your fee.”

“I didn’t realize it would be this big,” said Eckels. “I miscalculated, that’s all. And now I want out.”

“It sees us!”

“There’s the red paint on its chest!”

The Tyrant Lizard raised itself. Its armored flesh glittered like a thousand green coins. The coins, crusted with slime, steamed. In the slime, tiny insects wriggled, so that the entire body seemed to twitch and undulate, even while the monster itself did not move. It exhaled. The stink of raw flesh blew down the wilderness.

“Get me out of here,” said Eckels. “It was never like this before. I was always sure I’d come through alive. I had good guides, good safaris, and safety. This time, I figured wrong. I’ve met my match and admit it. This is too much for me to get hold of.”

“Don’t run,” said Lesperance. “Turn around. Hide in the Machine.”

“Yes.” Eckels seemed to be numb. He looked at his feet as if trying to make them move. He gave a grunt of helplessness.

“Eckels!”

He took a few steps, blinking, shuffling.

“Not that way!”

The Monster, at the first motion, lunged forward with a terrible scream. It covered one hundred yards in six seconds. The rifles jerked up and blazed fire. A windstorm from the beast’s mouth engulfed them in the stench of slime and old blood. The Monster roared, teeth glittering with sun.

The rifles cracked again, Their sound was lost in shriek and lizard thunder. The great level of the reptile’s tail swung up, lashed sideways. Trees exploded in clouds of leaf and branch. The Monster twitched its jeweler’s hands down to fondle at the men, to twist them in half, to crush them like berries, to cram them into its teeth and its screaming throat. Its boulderstone eyes leveled with the men. They saw themselves mirrored. They fired at the metallic eyelids and the blazing black iris.

Like a stone idol, like a mountain avalanche, Tyrannosaurus fell.

Thundering, it clutched trees, pulled them with it. It wrenched and tore the metal Path. The men flung themselves back and away. The body hit, ten tons of cold flesh and stone. The guns fired. The Monster lashed its armored tail, twitched its snake jaws, and lay still. A fount of blood spurted from its throat. Somewhere inside, a sac of fluids burst. Sickening gushes drenched the hunters. They stood, red and glistening.

The thunder faded.

The jungle was silent. After the avalanche, a green peace. After the nightmare, morning.

Billings and Kramer sat on the pathway and threw up. Travis and Lesperance stood with smoking rifles, cursing steadily. In the Time Machine, on his face, Eckels lay shivering. He had found his way back to the Path, climbed into the Machine.

Travis came walking, glanced at Eckels, took cotton gauze from a metal box, and returned to the others, who were sitting on the Path.

“Clean up.”

They wiped the blood from their helmets. They began to curse too. The Monster lay, a hill of solid flesh. Within, you could hear the sighs and murmurs as the furthest chambers of it died, the organs malfunctioning, liquids running a final instant from pocket to sac to spleen, everything shutting off, closing up forever. It was like standing by a wrecked locomotive or a steam shovel at quitting time, all valves being released or levered tight. Bones cracked; the tonnage of its own flesh, off balance, dead weight, snapped the delicate forearms, caught underneath. The meat settled, quivering.

Another cracking sound. Overhead, a gigantic tree branch broke from its heavy mooring, fell. It crashed upon the dead beast with finality.

“There.” Lesperance checked his watch. “Right on time. That’s the giant tree that was scheduled to fall and kill this animal originally.” He glanced at the two hunters. “You want the trophy picture?”

“What?”

“We can’t take a trophy back to the Future. The body has to stay right here where it would have died originally, so the insects, birds, and bacteria can get at it, as they were intended to. Everything in balance. The body stays. But we can take a picture of you standing near it.”

The two men tried to think, but gave up, shaking their heads.

They let themselves be led along the metal Path. They sank wearily into the Machine cushions. They gazed back at the ruined Monster, the stagnating mound, where already strange reptilian birds and golden insects were busy at the steaming armor. A sound on the floor of the Time Machine stiffened them. Eckels sat there, shivering.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last.

“Get up!” cried Travis.

Eckels got up.

“Go out on that Path alone,” said Travis. He had his rifle pointed, “You’re not coming back in the Machine. We’re leaving you here!”

Lesperance seized Travis’s arm. “Wait – ”

“Stay out of this!” Travis shook his hand away. “This fool nearly killed us. But it isn’t that so much, no. It’s his shoes! Look at them! He ran off the Path. That ruins us! We’ll forfeit! Thousands of dollars of insurance! We guarantee no one leaves the Path. He left it. Oh, the fool! I’ll have to report to the government. They might revoke our license to travel. Who knows what he’s done to Time, to History!”

“Take it easy, all he did was kick up some dirt.”

“How do we know?” cried Travis. “We don’t know anything! It’s all a mystery! Get out of here, Eckels!”

Eckels fumbled his shirt. “I’ll pay anything. A hundred thousand dollars!”

Travis glared at Eckels’ checkbook and spat. “Go out there. The Monster’s next to the Path. Stick your arms up to your elbows in his mouth. Then you can come back with us.”

“That’s unreasonable!”

“The Monster’s dead, you idiot. The bullets! The bullets can’t be left behind. They don’t belong in the Past; they might change anything. Here’s my knife. Dig them out!”

The jungle was alive again, full of the old tremorings and bird cries. Eckels turned slowly to regard the primeval garbage dump, that hill of nightmares and terror. After a long time, like a sleepwalker he shuffled out along the Path.

He returned, shuddering, five minutes later, his arms soaked and red to the elbows. He held out his hands. Each held a number of steel bullets. Then he fell. He lay where he fell, not moving.

“You didn’t have to make him do that,” said Lesperance.

“Didn’t I? It’s too early to tell.” Travis nudged the still body. “He’ll live. Next time he won’t go hunting game like this. Okay.” He jerked his thumb wearily at Lesperance. “Switch on. Let’s go home.”

1492. 1776. 1812.

They cleaned their hands and faces. They changed their caking shirts and pants. Eckels was up and around again, not speaking. Travis glared at him for a full ten minutes.

“Don’t look at me,” cried Eckels. “I haven’t done anything.”

“Who can tell?”

“Just ran off the Path, that’s all, a little mud on my shoes-what do you want me to do-get down and pray?”

“We might need it. I’m warning you, Eckels, I might kill you yet. I’ve got my gun ready.”

“I’m innocent. I’ve done nothing!”

1999.2000.2055.

The Machine stopped.

“Get out,” said Travis.

The room was there as they had left it. But not the same as they had left it. The same man sat behind the same desk. But the same man did not quite sit behind the same desk. Travis looked around swiftly. “Everything okay here?” he snapped.

“Fine. Welcome home!”

Travis did not relax. He seemed to be looking through the one high window.

“Okay, Eckels, get out. Don’t ever come back.” Eckels could not move.

“You heard me,” said Travis. “What’re you staring at?”

Eckels stood smelling of the air, and there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so subtle, so slight, that only a faint cry of his subliminal senses warned him it was there. The colors, white, gray, blue, orange, in the wall, in the furniture, in the sky beyond the window, were . . . were . . . . And there was a feel. His flesh twitched. His hands twitched. He stood drinking the oddness with the pores of his body. Somewhere, someone must have been screaming one of those whistles that only a dog can hear. His body screamed silence in return. Beyond this room, beyond this wall, beyond this man who was not quite the same man seated at this desk that was not quite the same desk . . . lay an entire world of streets and people. What sort of world it was now, there was no telling. He could feel them moving there, beyond the walls, almost, like so many chess pieces blown in a dry wind ….

But the immediate thing was the sign painted on the office wall, the same sign he had read earlier today on first entering. Somehow, the sign had changed:

TYME SEFARI INC.
SEFARIS TU ANY YEER EN THE PAST.
YU NAIM THE ANIMALL.
WEE TAEK YU THAIR.
YU SHOOT ITT.

Eckels felt himself fall into a chair. He fumbled crazily at the thick slime on his boots. He held up a clod of dirt, trembling, “No, it can’t be. Not a little thing like that. No!”

Embedded in the mud, glistening green and gold and black, was a butterfly, very beautiful and very dead.

“Not a little thing like that! Not a butterfly!” cried Eckels.

It fell to the floor, an exquisite thing, a small thing that could upset balances and knock down a line of small dominoes and then big dominoes and then gigantic dominoes, all down the years across Time. Eckels’ mind whirled. It couldn’t change things. Killing one butterfly couldn’t be that important! Could it?

His face was cold. His mouth trembled, asking: “Who – who won the presidential election yesterday?”

The man behind the desk laughed. “You joking? You know very well. Deutscher, of course! Who else? Not that fool weakling Keith. We got an iron man now, a man with guts!” The official stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Eckels moaned. He dropped to his knees. He scrabbled at the golden butterfly with shaking fingers. “Can’t we,” he pleaded to the world, to himself, to the officials, to the Machine, “can’t we take it back, can’t we make it alive again? Can’t we start over? Can’t we – ”

He did not move. Eyes shut, he waited, shivering. He heard Travis breathe loud in the room; he heard Travis shift his rifle, click the safety catch, and raise the weapon.

There was a sound of thunder.

The End.

(Written by Ray Bradbury, grabbed from Scary for Kids)

Soe Than’s Brush

2011-08-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

There was once a boy in Burma named Soe Than.

He was poor, and an orphan, and worked all his days as a laborer. The rest of the time, he painted.

Soe Than had no brushes, so he used sticks, and cloth, and even with just these things painted such amazing pictures that people would marvel. Many of his paintings were of things he’d never seen, like tall distant mountains, grey and blue and ringed in mist or wide green rivers all jade green, or tigers.

Always tigers. Most often, tigers.

After his day laboring he would sit under a teak tree and people would come and watch, and this simple boy’s fame as an artist spread throughout the village, and even through the province.

Then one day Soe Than was visited by a Nat, who came to him as he painted and swirled around him all foggy spirit and said “I have a gift for you. Paint the world.” And when Soe Than woke as if from a dream, he was holding a golden paintbrush.

Soe Than dipped the brush, and began to paint.

First he painted soup and rice, because he was always hungry and as he painted a warm ngapi smell rose and when he was done there was a meal in front of him so he stopped painting, and ate.

Then he painted for himself a longyi, and shoes, and put those on in place of his tattered ones.

Then he painted a lotus, and took it in curved hands and set it at the base of the tree where the Nat had appeared.

The next day Soe Than went through the village, painting rice and fruit and fish curry and sweet pashu mont and pairs of shoes. These he gave out to the poor like himself, and by the end of the day, everyone was talking about Soe Than and his magic brush.

Soe Than continued to paint. He painted a water buffalo for a farmer and he painted bangles for a little girl, and he went through the province painting and giving, but it wasn’t always shoes and oxen.

He painted puppets for a puppeteer, that danced and leapt without strings. He painted a green and pink stick bug for a little boy to play with. He wanted to paint tigers, he missed painting tigers. But obviously he couldn’t paint tigers.

Now, the king heard rumors of Soe Than and his magical brush, and sent his adviser to Soe Than to command him to paint whatever the king desired.

Soe Than refused.

The king was outraged, and threw Soe Than into a dungeon, without food or water. Soe Than painted himself meals, and fruit, and little blue and green bugs to play with. Hearing that Soe Than had made himself perfectly comfortable in the dungeon, the king flew into an even greater rage, and sent his guards to kill Soe Than.

So the boy painted himself a trapdoor and escaped.

The king’s guards pursued him, but he painted himself a horse to ride away on, and fled to a remote village to the Kachin province far to the north, and tried to live quietly and without notice.

He painted only small and simple things, just enough. Not too much. But one day he grew bored and forgot and painted a bright green monkey, and the next day the king’s soldiers came and arrested him.

They took him to the palace, where the king demanded Soe Than paint him a vault of treasure. Scared now, and tired of running, Soe Than complied, hoping this would satisfy the king and he could go and live in peace again. But the king demanded another vault, and another. He painted so many vaults on top of each other that they all collapsed, but the king didn’t care.

“Paint me a huge palace,” he told Soe Than, “larger and more resplendent than any other.” So Soe Than painted him a fantastic palace, with towering spires and marble floors and gold leaf adorning the walls. “Make a garden,” the king demanded. “The most beautiful garden anyone has ever seen.”

Soe Than painted a beautiful garden. It was full of white and yellow orchids, and fragrant sabae, and huge pink lotus flowers. “Make the garden bigger,” the king demanded. “And all the lotus should be white. Do it at once!” Soe Than made the garden bigger. Narrow paths twisted through it, tall trees rose up making dark, deep glens.

“White lotus!” the king insisted. “Bigger!”

“I’m finished,” said Soe Than. “You have a beautiful garden, and a beautiful palace, and there is nothing wrong with a pink lotus.” And he calmly and quietly put away his brush.

“Bigger! White!” shouted the king and summoned his guards to force Soe Than to do his bidding. But Soe than had left his paints behind and walked into the garden.

It was the biggest garden in all of Burma, maybe all of the world.

The king followed, and all the guards. Neither Soe Than, nor the king, nor the guards were seen again.

The palace crumbled, over time, but the garden flourished. Only the very brave will venture into it to see its wonders, though.

They say it’s full of tigers.

K. Bachus, retold from Burmese traditional

Try Not To Cry

2011-08-25T04:16:00.000-07:00

Mommy... Johnny brought a gun to school,
He told his friends that it was cool,
And when he pulled the trigger back,
It shot with a great crack.
Mommy, I was a good girl, I did
What I was told,
I went to school, I got straight A's,
I even got the gold!
But Mommy, when I went to school that day,
I never said good-bye,
I'm sorry Mommy, I had to go,
But Mommy, please don't cry.
When Johnny shot the gun,
He hit me and another,
And all because Johnny,
Got the gun from his older brother.
Mommy, please tell Daddy;
That I love him very much,
And please tell Trevor; my boyfriend;
That it wasn't just a crush.
And tell my little sister;
That she is the only one now,
And tell my dear sweet grandmother;
I'll be waiting for her now,
And tell my wonderful friends;
That they always were the best;
Mommy, I'm not the first,
I'm no better than the rest.
Mommy, tell my teachers;
I won't show up for class,
And never to forget this,
And please don't let this pass.
Mommy, why'd it have to be me?
No one deserves this,
Mommy, warn the others,
Mommy I left without a kiss.
And Mommy tell the doctors;
I know they really did try,
I think I even saw a doctor,
Trying not to cry.
Mommy, I'm slowly dying,
With a bullet in my chest,
But Mommy please remember,
I'm in heaven with the rest.
Mommy I ran as fast as I could,
When I heard that crack, Mommy, listen to me if you would,
I wanted to go to college,
I wanted to try things that were new,
I guess I'm not going with Daddy,
On that trip to the new zoo.
I wanted to get married,
I wanted to have a kid,
I wanted to be an actress,
Mommy, I wanted to live.
But Mommy I must go now,
The time is getting late,
Mommy, tell my Trevor,
I'm sorry but I had to cancel the date.
I love you Mommy, I always have,
I know; you know it's true,
And Mommy all I wanted to say is, 'Mommy, I love you.'

****In Loving Memory of The Virginia Tech Students Who Were Lost****

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 16

2011-07-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

Phew! That was the last of the things that I've piled up.

As you may guess it, I have moved out of the house.

I gotten the hell outta dodge and I will never turn back.

I've gotten all the things that I needed, left a not-so-farewell note behind for Momma, picked up Bushy to bring along with me and just left in the middle of the night.

Well, I gotta have some form of company now, don't I? Bushy pretty much fits the bill.

It wasn't easy to pack the printer, laptop and my clothes in one suitcase, but somehow I managed. Surprisingly.

Guess where I am now?

Bet you can't.

Give up?

I'm at Jan's place.

Yes, that's right, I got the hell outta dodge and moved in to Jan's place.

Or to be more specific, his attic.

Only Jan and I know about this place. Not even his clueless rents know about this attic because it just so happen to be above Jan's room through a trapdoor on his ceiling directly above his bed, and he wasn't about to share this secret place with his rents or anything. I'm the only person he had ever told about this place.

We even had sex in here.

Those were good times.

Definitely the perfect place to not rouse any suspicion.

The electricity and water may be a bit of a problem (though it's still running for the moment), as well as food or whatever, but I'll get my way around it.

Come on, what better way to investigate this phenomena and research on my Slendy-shit than from the source, right?

OK, I admit, it gives me the creeps a little being here, seeing that both Jan and his rents totally hit rock bottom six feet under here, but it was the best place to hide out from Momma and beat the rental and traveling expenses.

It's not like I have anywhere else to go, or wanna go anywhere outta town anyhow.

I'm sure Jan wouldn't mind, and would've wanted me to crash in his place if I ever get outta my own home.

Besides, there may be clues in this house here that might give me a hint as to what all this Slendy-shit is about. Especially Jan's room, where it all began.

Which reminds me, I better grab whatever stuff that is around in Jan's room before they decide to clean up the place. Those crime scene cleaners can really do a number on a dead house and I don't want to lose any precious evidence or clues as to why Jan died.

From what I heard from word of mouth, the boys in blue have already finished processing the place, taking whatever they needed to investigate on Jan and his rents before deciding the verdict of Jan being a psycho and having a meltdown and did a murder-suicide fiasco.

Jan is not a psycho, though he did have a meltdown, and that murder-suicide fiasco had everything to do with whatever he was obsessively researching about.

I'm gonna find out and put an end to it.

I'm printing out all my research from scratch again.

Thank God for internet bookmarks.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 15

2011-07-02T02:10:00.000-07:00

I had an argument with Momma today.

Why, you ask? What did she do this time, you ask?

She totaled my research that's why!

2, 3 weeks of research down the toilet because she decided to go bonkers and tore up all my folders and whatever I had in them and threw them into the fireplace.

I fucking told her not to ever, EVER, enter my room without my permission! I even forced her to sign an agreement on this! And what does she do? I turn my back for one moment to go out and buy myself some take-out for lunch and come back to see her ransacking my room, walking back and forth from my room to the fireplace and tearing up my folders and my research and pictures while sobbing like a fucking scorned 3-year-old. Fucking breach of contract, that's what!

She was absolutely hysterical, screaming and crying like I just gave her a whoop in the ass or something (not that I'm not tempted to) and told me I shouldn't dabble into things that I have no understanding of. I tried to stop her from tearing up anymore of my hard work and she frickin' freaked out and pushed me away like I was some kind of disease.

I told her whatever I research is my own business and none of hers, and I just wanted to find the meaning behind Jan's death, but she wouldn't listen. She screamed back at me to tell me to leave it alone and that Jan's death was just an unfortunate incident of a depressed child. I asked her how would she know whether Jan's depressed or not and she just clammed up and threw the last of my stuff into the fire.

Fucking bitch! What the hell, man?? What the FUCK is her problem??

Fuck, that's it! That's IT!

I'm getting the hell outta dodge.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 14

2011-07-02T02:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not logging in on updates or anything. Been researching things like crazy, and something happened that made me gone into withdrawal for a while.

Janphen's funeral was on the way last week. I was expected to attend, but I didn't. I couldn't face the fact that it could've been my fault that he was dead. That I didn't see the signs and allowed it to happen. I just stayed outside the church where the funeral services was done, hearing the preacher droning on and on about blessings and life after death and whatnot (I'm not a sucker for religion, really), and people delivering eulogies for him.

Some of them were bullshit though, just a farce, because I've known Jan long enough to know that some of the things they said are totally not what I know about Jan.

Or maybe it really is something I didn't know about Jan, the other side of him. He did, after all, became my friend not entirely by choice.

Choice...

I remember his words that day I visited him.

Maybe...Maybe I am...I dunno...Maybe I'm just sick of all this...

What was he sick of? Life in general? Me?

Do you KNOW where your dad is? Do you know WHO your dad is? Do you even KNOW WHAT he is? Do you??? DO YOU???!!!

Those were his last words.

His last final words of desperation.

Desperate for me to hear, to understand.

And what did I do? I ditched him, and left him for dead.

I didn't even have the courage to go up to the funeral procession where they carried his and his rents' body to the cemetery to be buried. I just stood somewhere far away and hid behind a couple of trees, watching from my spot as they lowered him six feet under.

When the funeral ended and Jan's relatives who handled the funeral caught sight of me, I got the hell outta dodge.

I'm not gonna stand there and wait for them to scream at my face and rubbing it in that it was all my fault.

I've had enough wallowing in self-pity and beating myself up the past few weeks to know it.

Anywho, I've decided to make print-outs of everything that I have studied about this Slender-freak (including the pictures) and keep them in folders for references later. Heh, the last time I did this was for an assignment at school. Didn't think I'd actually be that hardworking for this shit.

I dunno, maybe making print-outs and studying them helps me cope with the loss, that by studying them, I will know what hit Jan so hard to drive him to this madness, and subsequently be close to him.

I actually showed Momma some of the freaky drawings of the Slender-shit and she totally freaked out, telling me to burn that garbage and ran to her room crying hysterically.

Wonder what was that about?

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 13

2011-07-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late entry here, but I've been going through some really weird shit trying to investigate this odd Slenderman guy, and boy, do I have a freaky result up in hand.

OK, so after I searched through the web about Slenderman, this is pretty much what I got:
The Slender Man is a mythical creature completely created on the Internet which has grown beyond its Internet Urban Legend status to become the target of pictures, fictional stories and videos about "him".

He's often depicted as a tall and thin silhouette, wearing black pants, a black suit with a white shirt, and a black necktie underneath. What is startling and creepy about this creature is that he is usually depicted with absolutely no visible face. Furthermore, he can stretch out or shortens his arms as well as he hides some kind of tentacles on his back.

So basically some dude named Victor Surge got bored, decided to start up some fucking shit, goes to this forum website called Something Awful and joined a "Create Paranormal Images" contest or something, made up this stupid Slenderman and posted it in the contest, and now shit just comes up and everyone starts thinking he's real??

How dense can they be?

Come on, they even did an interview to that sucker and he admitted to all those fake photos. But I see some weird shit comments about people saying that it's real and that this sucker had first account of the monster, which he tries to bring it to the public's attention of its existence.

People. They can be really dense sometimes.

I mean, look at these pics.

Fake shit.

Come on, copy-paste and blurring much?

OK, this is obvious fake. I mean, Doc Oc much?

The kicker on this last photo is that it includes a so-called "news report" of the kid gone missing a few days after this picture was taken, which is, of course, total fake. And that Victor bugger admits it too.

How could Jan fall for these? What exactly is behind these photos that he thinks it's so goddamn real? Even a retard can tell it's fake.

Though I gotta admit, even though it's fake...it kinda creeps me out a little...

--:--

I decided to type Slenderman in the image search engine to see how he looks like in other people's eyes, and boy, do I get a LOT of weird shit.

To know about this motherfucker is something, but to actually draw and illustrate him into this sort of sucker?

This is fucked up

--:--

More weird-ass picture art of Slenderman.

Attempts to anthromorphize this motherfucker is really just so whacked.

What is it that people see in this guy that they have this morbid fascination for even though they know he's fake?

What does Jan see in this monster?

And what does it have to do with what he's talking about Pops?

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 12

2011-07-02T01:53:00.000-07:00

I have done a bit of looking up on this weird symbol that I found. I've spent all day and all night searching through the net to see if there is anything that would explain what that symbol is, since I dunno the name and I could only type the word "weird symbol" on the Search engine and sieve through a gajillion pictures to find the one I was looking for.

Thank God I've got the patience to the point of inhuman when it comes to doing things that I really set my mind to it.

Apparently, this symbol is called The Operator Symbol. Something that has to do with some sort of internet cult known as the "Slenderman Phenomena". Says in this website that The Operator Symbol can either be considered a sign for protection against this motherfucker or some sort of compulsion the victims of Slenderman tend to have after their encounter with that mo-fo.

Is that it? Jan got involved in some Slender-watchamacallit shit and ended up becoming something out of the Twilight Zone? How dense can he get? I thought he's all about NOT getting into this sort of shit! I thought he didn't believe in all this kind of crap.

What the hell...?

I'm gonna research on this some more. Maybe try to make sense of all of this shit.

Later.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 11

2011-07-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

Momma is knocking at my door again.

I tell her to go away and leave me alone.

Fuck, can't I even mourn for my best friend in peace?

I heard that some of Jan's relatives from another town are going to come down to proceed with the funeral services, that is, after the boys in blue are done autopsying him and his rents and reporting it to whoever was in charge of handling Jan's case.

The boys in blue came yesterday to question me again, and I just told them what I knew, what I saw and what Jan and I have been through for the past few days before he started acting like shit to me.

They asked me if I knew he had any troubles or was depressed or was on medication. I told them I knew none of the sort. I told them he was perfectly fine, and we even had sex after we went to watch some R-rated movies. Momma didn't look surprised that I told them I lost my virginity to Jan. She had expected we were a couple.

It's not like that. It's just casual sex. We're friends. Best friends who have sex with each other.

That's it.

The blue boys looked at me like my relationship was the most complicated ever when I said that.

What the fuck is so complicated about us being just friends and still have sex?

Geez...

Anyway they did ask me about whether I know what the symbols that he drew around his room meant, and again, I told them I knew nothing. Not sure whether they believed me or not but they didn't seem to ask me anymore.

If I'm not mistaken, once the blue boys were done with Jan, the funeral would commence sometime 2 weeks later

Damn, after what I saw, I don't think I would want to attend the funeral.

They might just pin the blame on me, since I was the closest to him, like as if I SHOULD have seen this coming and prevented it.

In a way, it would've been right.

I was his best friend. He was my only friend. We were together thick and thin since, like, ever. I should have seen this coming.

But I didn't.

Because I couldn't.

And whatever that symbol is and whatever he said about Pops, gotta have to be something to do with his death.

I'm gonna fucking find out about this.

And kill that bastard.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 10

2011-07-01T21:33:00.004-07:00

God, I can't believe...I can't believe this is happening.

Jan...Jan is dead...

I guess I should start from the top.

God, my hands are shaking just typing this damn post.

The day before I made that last post, I decided to put my foot down and investigate once and for all what the hell was going on with Janphen and his little recluse phase. I decided to go forth after giving Bushy his nightly feedings.

As I walked down to his home, so many questions were spinning in my mind.

What happened to us? What happened to him? Why is he behaving this way? What could possibly have caused such a drastic change in him? What did he mean by me knowing where, who or WHAT Pops is? Does he know something about Pops that I don't?

And where the hell are his parents? They should at least be around worrying about their son being like a fuckin' hermit crab at home and call in the shrink or the exorcist or whatever, not going MIA all of a sudden!

So there I was, in front of Jan's house and rang the doorbell and banged at the door for the umpteenth time. Thank goodness for neighbours who minded their own business, or I would've been seen creating scene at the time.

Though after what happened...I had wished they were a little nosy...

When I tried the door, it was surprisingly open this time, unlike the last few times when I find it locked. I entered and called out for Jan's parents.

No dice.

I called Jan's name.

No go either.

There was this really awful smell going about in the house. Like something just died and rot in a corner or whatever. I reached for the lights to turn it on so that I can see better.

I wish I wasn't right about what I thought it was, and I wish that I had not turned on the lights.

His folks were sitting at the dining table as if having a family supper, just without Janphen there. They seemed to be arranged like they were leaning back against their seat, their eyes rolled up to the back of their heads and their mouths agape into a frozen scream of horror.

They were gutted like fucking fish and the guts were arranged onto the dinner plates placed before them, part of it still linked into the cavity of where their innards were supposed to be. Blood was everywhere on the dining table and on their clothes. And I don't need to be a genius to see that the content in the wine glasses served on the table was not red wine.

I fought the urge to scream and run, or to puke my guts out because the thought of Janphen was on my mind. The first place I thought would be his room, so I made a run for it upstairs and banged at his door.

The door gave way, creaking open as if it hadn't been closed properly.

How I wish I had obeyed the urge to run.

I saw him, hanging on the ceiling by a power cord around his neck. He looked like he hadn't eaten or slept in days judging by the malnourished look on his face, and he was pale as hell. He wore the same clothes he was wearing when I came to visit him, and his room was littered with pieces of paper with just this symbol of a crossed-out circle.

It was all over the place, littered on the walls, on the floors, on the bed and drawn with some sort of white paint on his computer screen. He even had some of those blasted symbols stuck onto his body.

But that wasn't the freaky part.

He. Was. Smiling.

He was hanging by his neck on the ceiling and his eyes were rolled up his head like his rents were and he was fucking smiling!

Like he was fucking happy that he was dead!

I heard some sort of rustling sounds outside his window and that fucking broke me out of my trance. I quickly made a run for it out of the house and finally puked and hurled onto the grass outdoors. After puking out the last of the bile, I took out my cellphone and called the police.

It was a long process of questioning and writing report and whatnot, but it was finally over. I went home with Momma and she offered to make me something to drink to calm my nerves, but for once, I didn't shout at her to fuck off and mind her own business, but said "No, thanks" and went to my room. I wasn't in the mood and I had no appetite anyways.

Janphen...My best friend...

My ONLY friend...

Is dead...

Please....

Please...

Tell me this is all a dream...

Please...

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 9

2011-07-01T21:33:00.003-07:00

Holy crap...

HolycrapholycrapholycrapholycrapholyCRAP...

Jan is dead.

Jan is fucking dead.

I'm not kidding!

I'M NOT KIDDING!!

Jan is DEAD!!

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 8

2011-07-01T21:33:00.001-07:00

Jan hasn't answered my calls.

Again.

He hasn't answered my texts either.

Again.

He's not even online.

Again!

He's not even answering his doorbell and his parents are just frickin' not there all the time.

AGAIN!!

What the fuck is wrong with you, bro?! You were fine all the way ever since I met you in junior high! Now all of a sudden you're like behaving like some sort of weirdo from the frickin' Twilight Zone or something!!

Why don't you answer my calls?? Reply my text?? Go online?? Get the fuck up and answer the door??

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU??!!

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 7

2011-07-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

I did it.

I went to school and told the principal that I'm quitting.

I know, I said I was going to call them, but I think it would be better that I told him in person.

It's gonna make the experience so much better.

When I went to the principal's office, though it kinda reminds me of the last time I went in there for something I have done (particularly the one where Jan wasn't around), he was enjoying his lousy decaf coffee and eating Dunkin' Donuts like all fatass principal who enjoys to just laze around inside rather than getting involved outside where the student welfare actually mattered.

Principal: Ah, Ms. Anderson. I was about to call your home to ask of your whereabouts, since you have been absent from school more than the grace period time of absence

Me: Flowery words, Mr. P, but I'm here to tell you, I quit school

Principal: Oh? On what grounds?

Me: On the grounds that I don't like it and I don't really give a shit about schooling

Principal: Well, that is some strong opinion there, Ms Anderson, but I'm afraid I cannot allow you to do that

Me: On what grounds? (I was being sarcastic here)

Principal: On the grounds that you are underage and you are in no position to refuse education

Me: Fuck that! You just want my money. Is that it? You want to keep me here so that I can keep paying you bloody school fees and money you do not deserve?

Principal: Now, let's not jump off that far. I never said that

Me: But you implied it

Principal: I merely state that it is my responsibility to keep you educated, to prepare in the real world...

Me: No, you don't. None of what we learn will ever truly apply in the real world, and you fucking know that well

Principal: I will not have language in my office

Me: Well, I'll keep going until you'll let me off, you fucking hypocritical prick

Principal: I don't see any reason I should let you go

Me: And I don't see any reason you SHOULDN'T let me go

Our argument continued for a while, but I could tell that impotent bastard was losing his patience. I nagged him about first amendments and my freedom of speech and my free will to want to accept education or not, but he didn't seem to want to budge, and he sounded intent to keep me in school no matter what bloody fucking reason I give him or no matter how I argue my point

So you know what I did?

No, I didn't kill him, though I wish to. But I'm not that stupid.

No, I just got myself expelled.

Violence is not tolerated here in my school, so I did the 3-strikes-you're-out kinda thing. I've already have been caught twice for fighting, the 2nd one being the one where I tried to come alone to school without Jan.

So I stormed out of the office, grabbed the first guy I see, slammed his head against the wall just enough to crack his skull a little but not kill him, then gave him a good whacking enough to send him hospitalize.

I've always had a talent in fighting somehow. I dunno where I got my strengths from. I never went for physical training or anything, but my fists tend to have a mean punch somehow and I've got the stamina of something entirely out there.

That's why I told you it's not pretty and you don't wanna know what happened the last time.

Seriously.

So third time is the charm. Mr. P had no choice but to expel me. Armed with the letter of termination, I came home, feeling rather good at myself. I slapped the letter on the dining table at Momma and made my way upstairs, turning the music out loud and totally ignoring her shouts and banging at the door while typing this.

If it weren't for the fact that Jan is still going freakily MIA on me, I'd say I did the best thing I've ever done in my life.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 6

2011-07-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Nothing special today happened.

Other than the fact that Jan ignored my calls and text and had not gotten online when I tried to contact him through MSN.

And when I came to his home, his folks didn't seem to be home to answer the door and he didn't seem to want to answer either.

I know he's at home. He's got his own car and it's parked in the partially opened garage.

But he didn't answer the door and didn't seem to have left his room either.

I wanted to climb up and peek in but that would make me look like a fucking criminal trying to break and enter.

I did see lights from his computer flicker for a while, but that's it. He showed no signs of movement whatsoever.

I didn't go to school either. In fact, while typing this, I'm trying to construct what to write in my letter of school resignation.

Ah, fuck it. I'll just call the school and tell them I don't wanna have anything shit to do with them and I'm quitting.

Momma is not gonna like it but who cares?

It's my life and I'm gonna lead it however I want.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 5

2011-07-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today something else freaky happened.

I was staying home as usual, contemplating whether I should just give going to school alone another shot when there was loud banging at the front door.

I didn't bother answering it, coz I know Momma would do it, since she's usually the early bird for work, but when there was suddenly yelling involved, I knew something was up.

No one yells at Momma but me. That was the rule in this house.

My rule anyway, but still.

Anywho I went down to investigate, and I saw that it was Mrs. Crumps, the next door neighbour who "owns" the White Witch. The moment she saw me showing up, her voice seemed to have gotten an octave higher as she pointed that stupid nail-polished finger at me.

Mrs. Crumps: You! I know it's you! You did it, didn't you?! ADMIT IT!!!

Me: I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about, bitch! And get that fucking finger of yours off my face before I hack it off with a chainsaw!

Momma: Language, George!

Me: She started it!

Mrs. Crumps: (I'll just call her 'Bitch' for now) If you're not going to admit your handiwork, you better go check it out yourself!

Oh, I checked alright. I was not about to admit to something I KNOW I didn't do. Momma followed behind me to see what the hell the Bitch was talking about. She led me to her backyard where so-called prized apple trees (which looked more leafy than fruits, if you ask me) and pointed at one of them.

It was really some freaky shit.

The White Witch was fucking hanging by the neck on that tree.

Dead as a doornail.

With his guts sticking out.

Yes, you heard me. Guts sticking out.

Like it was fucking Saw VI or some shit. Like someone has gotten medieval on that bloody cat.

As much as I liked the White Witch to become roadkill, this was really fucked-up.

Bitch: See?? You see that?! Look what you did to poor Persia!!

Me: Me?! ME?! How the fuck did you come to that "brilliant" deduction, asswipe?!

Momma: George, langu...

Me: No, Momma! I will NOT watch my tongue! You fucking call this MY handiwork?! You think I'm THAT sick?! I never even touch that fucking cat!

Bitch: I know it's you! I KNOW IT'S YOU!! ADMIT IT, YOU LITTLE PIECE OF...

Momma: Hey, hey, if my daughter said she didn't do it, she didn't do it? How can you be sure it's her and not someone else?

Bitch: I KNOW it's your...whatever your fucking runt's gender is...it's ITS fault! I KNOW it is!! You and IT had never liked my Persia, always complaining and accusing that he raids your trash and make a mess, when Persia would never...

Me: I thought you said you don't own him, now you're saying you are?

Bitch: Th...Tha...That's... That's not the point of discussion here...

Momma: Actually it IS the point. Why would you care so much that this cat was killed if it wasn't yours in the first place? And "Persia"? Sounds like you are admitted what you've been denying all along.

Bitch: THAT'S NOT THE POINT!! IT'S NOT!!! The POINT is YOU KILLED MY CAT!! I'm not going to argue with you right now! I'm calling the cops on you! And don't you fucking leave town!

Leave town? Who does she think she is? The sheriff?

Anyway, she did call the cops and animal control on us, and the blues came to investigate, checking for any foul play after clearing the White Witch's body, and despite the Bitch's loud protests and insistence to the point of jumping up and down and banging and kicking and screaming like a fucking 5-year-old throwing a tantrum, they found nothing to say that we did anything to the White Witch.

Of course we didn't. How sick do they think we are? If you ask me, THEY'RE the sick ones to think that WE did it.

Momma had asked me if I really didn't do it and I snapped "You're sick" at her.

I just got back from feeding Bushy, and even then, I saw that Bitch peeking out of the window, to see if she could "catch us in the act". She's been staring out the window at us ever since the blues gave us the clean bill, giving me the stink-eye every time she caught me seeing her.

I bet she's doing it right now.

Fuck her.

Bitch.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 4

2011-07-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the missed day. Technically it should be considered Day 5, but since I was at Janphen's and this really freaky shit happened, I had to collect myself to get my head together before I could write this down.

Besides, who's counting, right?

Anywho, that night after my blog entry, I made my way to Janphen's place to check him out and see if he's OK. Didn't go with the best of my clothes, but then again, Jan's folks, despite their grimaces, never really comment much about it.

They better not be. If they know what's good for them.

I asked for Jan, and they said he had been down with something they couldn't really explain, and had been cooped in his room since he came home from Home Ecs. That's when I remember I did notice something a little off when I was his partner in that class, but he kept saying it's just a stomach flu or something.

I went to his room and let myself in, and there he was lying in bed, his back facing me. I sat down and shook him gently to get his attention.

Me: Yo, bro. U alright?

He didn't reply me.

Me: Yo, bro. C'mon, it's me, George. Ur gal pal. Wakey-wakey.

Jan: Such is the life of a monotonous man, don't you think?

Me: Whut? What the hell are ya talking about?

Jan: When was the last time we went to the beach?

Me: What does that gotta do with it? You're high on meds or something? Your rents say you got some downtime health going on. You're not having cancer or anything, right?

Jan: (he still didn't bother to face me) Do you remember the last time someone in school asked you about your dad?

Me: Well...yeah, I remember. Totally would've showed him a thing if you hadn't told me to leave it be

Jan: Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing

Me: What?

Jan: Telling you to leave it be. Maybe I should just let you loose, just like the last time I was sick and you had to go to school alone and you totally busted that...

Me: Hey, what are you implying there? Are you saying you didn't want to come pick me to walk me for school on purpose?

Jan: Maybe...Maybe I am...I dunno...Maybe I'm just sick of all this...

Me: Oh, just fucking say it, Jan. You don't wanna be my friend anymore, do you?

Jan: I never said that

Me: But you're implying it

Jan: Maybe...

Me: Maybe what?? The fuck are you...

Jan: (this is where he sat up abruptly and looked at me with his cold dead fish-like eyes, black rings under them like he hadn't been asleep for quite a while) Do you know where your dad is?

Me: What the...How the hell would I know... (I was taken aback at this, it really getting fucking creepy, but he grabbed me by the arms)

Jan: Do you KNOW where your dad is? Do you know WHO your dad is? Do you even KNOW WHAT he is? Do you??? DO YOU???!!!

Me: Get the fuck away from me, man!!

I immediately shoved him against the wall and made my way out of the room. I didn't even bother to explain what happened to the rents. I just stormed out of the house and ran until I couldn't run anymore all the way back home, ran into my room and slammed the door like nobody's business.

Janphen is never like this. He's always been the calm, collected and level-headed person between us. This is the first time I've seen him freak out like this. He never freaks out. Ever.

What the fuck is wrong with him?

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 3

2011-07-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Janphen still hasn't showed up to pick me up to school today, so here goes another day without school.

Momma just yelled at me for not going to school again. I told her to fuck off.

I told her if she loved school so much, she should just go herself and take over my place.

She just said "Shit" and left me at that.

Good riddance. Why is she always on my case is beyond me. Well, actually she's always on my case, but these few days it was more than usual.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm still a minor and can't really hold my own until I actually get a job to survive, I would've moved out of my home and hit the road already.

Dammit, she may be my Momma and all, but dammit, I hate her.

And God knows she hates me too. I just know it in my gut instincts ever since the first time I heard her blaming me for being who I am and blaming me for Pops' disappearance.

I think maybe tonight I'll go visit Janphen to see why didn't he show up today and yesterday for school. Not that I want to go back to school or anything, but I have to if I wanna get Momma off my case.

I know what you're thinking. Why can't I just go by my own? Why must I be with Janphen?

Well, it's because only with Janphen around will I be able to function properly in school. He is the only person who will keep me sane in school. Without him, I'd be a wreck. I'd probably be suspended before I even set foot into the building.

Trust me, I tried.

I tried going to school alone without Janphen for a change when he was down with the flu.

It didn't end well.

Even Momma was terrified of me for a while and didn't want to show her face in public for a whole month after what I did, which made her lash out at me more on how it was my fault Pops left when she went on her binge again.

You don't wanna know what I did in school when Janphen wasn't around.

Trust me. It's not pretty.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 2

2011-07-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Janphen didn't come to pick me up to walk with me to school today, so I guess I'm not going to school either.

He's probably the only reason why I would put up going to school.

Seriously, what is exactly even the point of going to school? I mean, you only learn half of what's out there in the real world, and 90% of the time, the things you learn in school doesn't even apply shit in the real world. So why bother?

Momma said if I keep this up, I'll end up working for some good-for-nothing department store as a cashier or a waitress at some dragster cafe earning peanuts.

Well, EXCUSE ME for not having high expectations like you, Momma. What I wanna do with my life is none of your beeswax anyways. Didn't you hate me for being a girl in the first place? Why are you so damn concerned about my welfare anyway? Since when do you give a shit?

Though I should've said this to her face. I'd love to see her looking like I just told her I was pregnant or something.

The last time I lashed out at her, we didn't speak for a week. I was highly dependent on Janphen during that time, coz during the cold shoulder period, she cut off everything, even food and pocket money, from me. I swore I think I lost a pound or two during that week, coz Janphen isn't the richest guy in the world, and I don't fucking accept charity from his weird-like-hell (he agrees with me on that) parents.

Some Momma she is.

I bet she's wondering whether "Pops" would be out there at the window, looking through to try and get a glimpse of the family he left behind.

Though I'd rather he just rot and die somewhere. I don't give a shit.

Speaking of food, I better get all those leftover scraps out for Bushy and let him in the house to eat before the White Witch gets him.

I'll talk about Bushy and White Witch later when I'm done feeding him.

Be back in a few.
--:--
OK, I'm back. Now where was I?

Oh, right.

Bushy and the White Witch.

Well, Bushy is more of a stray pet of mine actually. He comes and goes as he pleases, but most of the time it'll be at night, where he would come to beg for leftover scraps. I would always keep a plastic bag nearby to dump in any food that I want to give him, maybe a few other things that I don't like to eat myself, during the day and have them ready by nighttime after our dinner, the last meal of the day.

Sometimes we let him in during the rainy seasons, and he bunks in for the whole winter season, which we let him sleep in either the laundry room or the cellar, but other than that, he's a free spirit.

And then there's the White Witch.

He's the cat next door who has a habit of scavenging our trash at night, making a big fucking mess. We've complained it almost a gajillion times to the neighbours to get rid of it, but they deny ever owning the White Witch even though we caught them letting him in their house a few times.

They call him Persia, if I'm not mistaken, but I rather call him the White Witch.

Coz he's a bitch.

A bitch who's always bullying Bushy.

He sees Bushy as a threat to his territory and is always trying to bite or pick a fight with Bushy to scare him away. Fucking little prat thinks he owns the place when we never invited him in in the first place.

God, I wish he'd just keel over and die, that White Witch. Just get run over by a truck or something and put him out of his misery.

Anything to leave poor Bushy alone.

.......I have a soft spot for cats. Shut up.

Midnight Rendezvous-Day 1

2011-07-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Well, can't believe I'm back, and actually playing along with this.

What more can I say about myself? Hmm...

Well, from what I heard from conversations between Momma and her family friends, I was pretty much born in a good old fashioned home birth. Pops almost missed the birth, but then again in the old days, men weren't allowed to be in the same room with the women during birth anyways, which pretty much made it redundant to show up anyhow.

Must've been a pretty crappy birth coz from the looks of it, the midwife who delivered me wasn't too experienced. She made Momma punch me out (no literal pun intended) too hard that it somehow severed some of the arteries in her womb, thus the near-death experience with blood loss. Momma had to be rushed to the hospital in the dead of night to be saved, and I was pretty much the one that pulled through the most.

Pops left when I was one month old. Never really knew the reason why. He just left a note saying that he won't be home for dinner tonight, and also left behind the birth certificate that he had finally gotten down to register my name in.

And he never came home since.

George Midnight Anderson, that was the name he registered me in, and it stuck ever since.

Momma went on to say that during the first few years of his absence, she could've sworn she saw Pops standing out in the window, staring into my room and at me in the bed. She said he even had that tell-tale tilt of the head especially when he wanted to see something clearly, but every time she opened the window or ran outside the house to check and see if he was there, he wasn't. And when she asked around if he had ever showed up or seen him where he always peeked in, no one saw a thing.

And once I reached 5, the "visitations" just stopped altogether.

I don't bloody remember if I ever saw anyone standing outside my window peeking through like some sort of pedophile perv, but then again, I was prolly too young to remember.

Momma blames me sometimes when she is mad or drunk, saying that it's because I was born a girl that Pops left. That I was born a girl that I drove Pops away, and my namesake was for him to punish her for giving him a girl instead of a boy.

Well, geez, bitch, it's not like I WANT to be a girl. If you want a boy so much, why don't you just kick me out of the house and fucking adopt already? Fucking bitch.

I guess that's all I have to vent for now. I promised Janphen we'd go check out some R-rated movies.

Later.

Midnight Rendezvous-Intro

2011-07-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

Depression is a bitch.

And apparently my friend Janphen told me that writing on a blog like some sort of diary might help.

Not that I want to. But I'm doing this just to make him happy.

So...what am I supposed to write?

About myself? Maybe.

Alright, here's the facts:

1. I'm female, though people tend to think I'm male, but that's fine. Gender consciousness was never really my thing.

2. The name's George. Yes, that IS my actual name. Not short for Georgina or Georgiana or whatever. Just George. Father wanted a boy, came out a girl, Mother ended up almost died of blood loss after birth and had to remove her entire womanhood, and thus no more sibs for me. Guess that's why Pops left.

3. Not at a legal age to smoke or drink, but who gives a fuck, right? You only live once.

4. Go to a crappy middle-class school with a bunch of doodads for friends and only have one true friend, which is Janphen. He's all I need.

5. Aside from movies and arcades, I stay in my room most of the time, maybe have a casual sex or two with Janphen, but that's about it.

6. People think I'm emo or whatever coz of the way I dress, but honestly it's more of me being a recluse.

7. I used to love life, but life don't love me back, so I decided to hate it

There, that's about the gist of who I am. I guess venting out is not so bad after all. Gotta thank Janphen for this.

This may mean a trip to the drug store...

Antigonish

2011-06-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish, I wish he’d go away...

When I came home last night at three
The man was waiting there for me
But when I looked around the hall
I couldn’t see him there at all!
Go away, go away, don’t you come back any more!
Go away, go away, and please don’t slam the door... (slam!)

Last night I saw upon the stair
A little man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
Oh, how I wish he’d go away