BLOODY BONES
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Tall hills or mountains such as the Ozark Mountains of Missouri look
like giants in the darkness of the night. Many years ago there was an
old woman who lived alone in those high hills or mountains. Sometimes
people from a nearby town came to her house and paid her money for
her herbs, but otherwise she was all alone - except for one friend named
Raw Red.
Raw Red was a huge red hog. All of his hair was long and red. He also
had large, white, sharp teeth. He lived in the house with the old woman
whose name was Belinda. When she planted herbs, he was with her.
When she explored in the forest for food and medicines, he was also
with her.
One day old Belinda told the huge red hog, "I need some long green
plantain for a medicine to heal a child who broke his arm in town."
Raw Red grunted, "I will get it for you. I will be back within an hour
before dark."
"Thank you," Belinda told her best friend.
An hour came and went. Raw Red had not come home. It was now
dark. Another hour came and went. Raw Red still had not come home.
Belinda went to look for him in the darkness. Near the largest patch of
blackberries in the forest she found his bloody head and bones. She
began to cry, and suddenly a tall black bear appeared. She screamed
but the bear did not bother her and it did not move. Finally it spoke
gently.
"Listen. I will tell you what happened. The hunter who is your
neighbor came and he hit Raw Red with an ax. He took the meat from
your friend's body to his house to eat. Do you want revenge for this,
Belinda?"
"Yes! Of course I do!"
The bear smiled then it vanish in a puff of smoke. The bloody head and
bones of Raw Red then came together dancing in the air.
"Peace be with you, dearest Friend, Belinda! I am no longer Raw Red.
I am now Bloody Bones!!"
Then Bloody Bones began to glide through the air toward the house of
the hunter which was on top of a high Ozark mountain. Belinda
followed, unseen in the darkness.
Bloody Bones went inside the hunter's dark barn and slowly ate his
white horse which neighed again and again in horrible, gruesome pain.
The hunter soon came out to the barn and entered with a rifle in his
hands. His horse was not in the stable there. He only saw its bloody
head and bones.
"Who did this!" He screamed while firing into the darkness.
In the darkness appeared the scary sight of Bloody Bones. "I ate your
horse!"
The hunter's heart almost stopped as he saw the bloody bones and hog's
head in the air in front of him. "Who are you!" He shouted again and
fired his rifle at Bloody Bones.
The bullets did nothing to stop Bloody Bones. "Hunter, I am Bloody
Bones, the bloody head and bones of old Belinda's hog! You have eaten
my meat, so now I will eat your own meat!"
"No!! No!!" The hunter screamed. He backed toward the door of the
barn. His hand grabbed the door. His heart was pounding, cold sweat
was dripping from his face. Then he felt something like a hard ball of
ice hit his back.
He turned his head to see what it was while screaming in pain. He saw a
bloody bone hitting his back!
"No, no!!!" he screamed and screamed again and again. Still more
cold, bloody bones hit him. He fell to the ground screaming.
As Belinda watched, Bloody Bones ate all the meat off the body of her
neighbor the hunter until nothing more was left except his bloody head
and bones.
In the darkness Belinda smiled and cackled like a witch. Indeed many
people say that she was a witch or became one after that blood-filled
night.
Also there are some people in the Ozarks who say that they have
sometimes seen her walking in the forest and there is the blood head
and bones of a huge hog floating in the air beside her - Bloody Bones.
Of course children in the Ozarks do not wander into the forest by
themselves, especially not at night. Also, the adults and their children
never kill the animals of their neighbors, for they know that if they do,
Bloody Bones will eat them too!
FAR FROM THE MADDING
CROWD
As retold from Thomas Harding’s 1874 novel
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Oaksaved.jpg
One day Bathsheba Everdene, a spirited young woman who
laughs easily, comes to the quaint village of Weatherbury,
where the people raise sheep, grow wheat and dwell in houses
with thatched roofs.
She takes control of the manor house there which had
belonged to her deceased uncle. This causes the villagers some
surprise since she is a young woman by herself.
Soon another stranger, a huge man, also comes to the village of
Weatherbury, where he encounters a dangerous fire. He is
named Gabriel Oak. He takes the lead in helping the villagers
put out the fire, and then the owner of the wheat field arrives,
wearing a wool veil.
“Thank you, sir. We appreciate what you did here. What can
we do to help you now?”
“You’re welcome, Ma’am. I was traveling along the road
when I saw the fire. I used to have a sheep farm but an
inexperienced dog led all my sheep off a cliff, killing them.
Now I would like nothing more than to become somebody’s
shepherd.”
The woman seemed a bit uncomfortable. Awkwardly she
removed her wool veil as the people of Weatherbury watched.
“Tell me, what would you like again, please.”
Gabriel Oak’s eyes widened, “Mmm, do you want a shepherd,
ma’am?”
“Oh, very well. You are hired to be one of my shepherds as of
this very second.”
The villagers in the quiet village also soon hear that
Bathsheba’s servant woman Fanny Robin has suddenly
vanished, running off to be with a soldier.
The villagers do not know that a few weeks before Bathsheba
Everdene came to Weatherbury, she had had no money at all
until receiving the manor house as an inheritance.
They also do not know that at that time Gabriel Oak had been
a hard-working sheep farmer who met Bathsheba Everdene at
her aunt Hurt’s farm and had once even had his life saved by
her. When he proposed to her, he had seemed a bit too quick
and honest or blunt to her. She herself was a little haughty,
definitely vain and admitted that she liked being independent.
The result was that she had told him no although flirting with
him even as she said it.
Gabriel stays and works at Weatherbury even though he can
only be her humble shepherd. At least this way he can see the
proud young beauty whom he is still in love with, even though
this also makes him very sorrowful. He rarely laughs, sad
because he knows Bathsheba is so young and pretty that some
other man will wed her.
In fact the only man in and near Weatherbury who seems to
totally ignore Bathsheba is William Boldwood. This irks her,
so as a jest she sends him a Valentine saying “Marry Me! The
Valentine words light an undying fire within his heart because
he believes she actually means it.
She laughs a lot when she learns he has fallen in love with her.
Gabriel tells, “What you’ve done is nothing to laugh about.
You really should be ashamed of yourself.”
Angry, she glares at him, “How dare you say that to me!
You’re not my boss! You’re fired! Now just get out!”
However Bathsheba’s sheep begin to die from bloat. She
knows that Gabriel is the only man who can save their lives.
She pleads:
“Come back! Please help me save their lives, Gabriel! I know
you know how! If they die, I’ll be ruined!”
“Very well, but next time try not to laugh when you hurt
somebody’s heart. You laugh at people when they show they
care about you.”
“I’ll try. I promise. It’s just that I’m young and my heart
runs so fast sometimes and my mouth goes along with it.”
“Bathsheba, listen. Now I’m only trying to be a friend, and
friends don’t lie even if it might hurt some because we don’t
want those we care about to get hurt even worse.”
“I know that. I know we’re friends. So, as a true friend, please
save my sheep!”
Her sheep are healed. The country people of Weatherbury
shear their sheep then go to celebrate their great success in a
barn. There Gabriel Oak can see that William Boldwood has
definitely fallen for Bathsheba and she is not trying to
discourage him.
She also sings a song that day about a handsome young soldier,
and then suddenly a soldier like the one in the song actually
appears.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Troybathsheba.jpg
He is young, slender and wears scarlet. Sergeant Francis or
Frank Troy comes into her life suddenly, woos her by the
flashing of his sword, and the saying of many words of flattery.
Soon they are kissing in a hollow with ferns. Gabriel Oak tries
to warn Bathsheba about him. However, she does not listen.
As for William Boldwood, who had never loved any woman
before, he is full of anger. However Boldwood’s opposition to
Sergeant Frank Troy only results in Bathsheba’s running away
and marrying him in the city of Bath.
The night of the wedding Troy becomes drunken in the barn
where he has been drinking with the other young men of
Weatherbury except Gabriel. Gabriel can see that the night
creatures and sheep are all afraid of something.
Gabriel goes out into the fields and soon he hears thunder.
Lightning streaks shoot across the sky and some bolts hit the
fields snakes setting them afire, shining like poisonous green
snakes. He has to work hard to try to put out the flames.
Bathsheba comes and works by his side. As the lightning
strikes the earth again and again she trembles. The giant takes
her arm into his, feeling it warm and quivering. Holding her
pleases him but at the same time he knows that she is the wife
of another man so she can never love him.
The night passes. Another day comes. Bathsheba can now see
for herself that Frank Troy is a man with no interest in
farming, only gambling and he also does not even seem to love
her.
Suddenly the body of Bathsheba’s missing servant woman,
Fanny Robin, is returned home. Bathsheba discovers that in
the coffin is also the woman’s dead child. As Bathsheba
stands beside the coffin with Troy, he confesses. “I loved her.
Yes, her child was mine, and I can never love you, Bathsheba,
as much as I did her!”
The next day he buys a white marble tombstone inscribed
"Erected by Francis Troy in beloved memory of Fanny
Robin." He leaves Weatherbury, and Bathsheba soon hears he
has drowned while bathing along the sea.
Over a year passes. Boldwood again hopes to marry her.
“Will you marry me, Bathsheba?”
She looked at him, feeling guilty that she had misled him. He
was a good man who really did love her unlike Francis or
Frank Troy.
“William, we must wait six years till Frank can be declared
legally dead. If you are willing to wait so long, though, then
my answer is yes.”
Boldwood feels so much joy that he holds a Christmas Eve
party to celebrate. However that same night Troy appears
again. He walks toward Bathsheba who thinks she is seeing a
ghost until he shouts at her and brutally grabs her arm.
The people of Weatherbury hear a scream followed by a loud
boom. Troy falls dead and Boldwood stands over him with a
gun.
Autumn comes and the villagers learn that Boldwood must
spend the rest of his life in prison. By then Bathsheba’s health
has improved enough so that she can walk. She no longer
laughs very much. Troy is dead, Boldwood is in prison, and
then she hears that Gabriel Oak is going to move away.
She goes to his cottage at night and asks, “Why are you leaving
me like this, Gabriel! Over the years I have learned to trust
and respect you for telling me the truth, even though it was
often what I didn’t want to hear. You are my one and only
true friend!”
“The people in Weatherbury are talking about us, Bathsheba.
There’s absolutely no other way to stop it and I must protect
your good name. They are saying we and only we were meant
for one another.”
“Why, how too absurd! It, it would be much too soon for
that!”
His eyes meet hers, and he repeats, “Too absurd or too
soon......”
“Well, I certainly didn’t mean absurd. Really, I mean too
soon, but, no, really, it isn’t too soon either!!”
Gabriel’s head spins. “Then, then, are you saying that you
would marry me?”
“Now what you think the first woman you ever loved means,
and you are the first man I ever loved. You know my answer!”
Their lips seared together, the heat and intensity too strong to
ever part them again.
Their marriage was a quiet one, a surprise, and when it
became known the gossip among the villagers turned to purest
delight.
Much more cheerful than he had ever been before, Gabriel
now laughed more often. Bathsheba no longer laughed nearly
as much as when she had first come to Weatherbury, but she
was all smiles because happy.
BLACK BUNNY WITH THE
RAINBOW GLASSES
Source of photo: fws.gov
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Dedicated to my daughter April
Not very many years ago there was a little red-headed
girl named April who wore some really thick rainbow-colored
glasses. One day when she and her family were going on the
highway another car hit their car. She and her parents were
okay. So were the other people. However, April could not find
her rainbow glasses.
Hace no muchos anos hubo una nina peliroja nombrada
Abril que llevo lentes verdaderamente densos y del color de
arco de iris. Un dia cuando ella y su familia iban en la
carretera otro coche choco con su coche. Ella y sus padres
estuvieron bien. Asi fue tambien con la otra gente. Sin
embargo, Abril no pudo encontrar sus lentes del arco iris.
Everybody looked for those glasses but could not find
them. April cried and cried, but eventually the family had to
leave, and in a few days she had some new glasses. Well, after
their car had gone away, that same night when the moon was
full and really shiny, a cute little black bunny rabbit came
hippidy-hippidy-hopping up to the highway. She wanted to go
across the road to where there were some juicy wild carrots,
but she couldn’t see very well.
Todos buscaron esos lentes pero no pudieron
encontrarlos. Abril grito y grito, pero la familia tuvo que irse
eventualmente, y en algunos días ella tuvo lentes nuevos.
Pues, despues de que su coche habia salido, esa misma noche
cuando la luna fue lleno y verdaderamente brillante, un
conejito negro y mono vino brincando-brincando-y-brincando
a la carretera. Ella quiso ir a traves del camino adonde
hubieron algunas zanahorias silvestres jugosas, pero no podia
ver muy bien.
Guess what! She found the rainbow glasses in the tall
grass near the highway. She put them on and “Wow!” Now
she could see! So, she went hppidy-hippidy-hop across the
highway and ate more wild carrots than she eaten in all her
life. Yum-yum-yum-yum-yum! From then on she was
extremely happy.
Adivanan lo que ocurrio! Ella encontro los lentes de arco
de iris en la hierba alta cerca de la carretera. Los puso y
"Ijole!" Ahora ella pudo ver! Por lo tanto ella fue
brincando-brincando-brincando a traves de la carretera y
comio a todas las zanahorias silvestres que ella habia comido
en todo de su vida. Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm!!! De ese dia
adelante fue extremadamente feliz.
About a year or two passed. One day April’s family was
in another car and they went by where the accident had been.
April looked out the window. Her eyes opened wide!
“Mommy, Daddy! I think I just saw my rainbow glasses!!
You’ll never guess who was wearing them!”
Casi uno u dos anos pasaron. Un dia la familia de Abril
fue en otro coche y fueron cerca donde hubo el accidente.
Abril miraba fuera de la ventana. Sus ojos se abrieron
completamente! "Mama, Papa! Pienso que acabo de ver mis
lentes del arco iris!! Ustedes no pueden no nunca jamas
adivinazar quien los llevan!"
Even though April had been sad, we can see that later she
was happy to see the bunny rabbit had made good use of them.
Sometimes bad things happen and we are also sad. But, who
knows, maybe somebody or something such as a cute little
black bunny rabbit will be happy, and then so will we.
Aunque Abril habia estado triste, podemos ver que mas
adelante ella fue feliz a ver que el conejito habia tenido buen
uso de ellos. A veces malas cosas ocurren y somos tristes
tambien. Pero, quien sabe, tal vez alguien o algo como un
conejito negro y mono sera feliz, y entonces asi lo podemos ser
nosotros.
We are a lot like Black Bunny, and a lot like flowers too!
Somos muchismo como Conejito Negro, y muchismio
como las flores tambien!
THE END!
THE BREMEN TOWN MUSICIANS
LOS MUSICOS DEL PUEBLO BREMEN
Photo by arpinstone released to public domain on
wikipedia.org
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Many years ago in Germany a donkey became old to work.
His owner wanted to destroy him, so he ran away. He soon
saw a tired dog. “Why are you tired?” He asked the dog.
“My owner says I am too old. He wants to kill me.” “I
understand your problem, Mr. Dog. I am going to Bremen to
become a musician. Come with me.”
Hace muchos anos en Alemania un burro llego a ser demasiado
viejo para trabajar. Su dueno quiso destruirlo, asi que corrio
lejos. Pronto vio a un perro cansado. "Por que esta usted
cansado?" Pregunto al perro."Mi dueno dice que soy
demasiado viejo. Quiere matarme." Yo entiendo su
problema, Sr. Perro. Yo voy a Bremen para hacerme musico.
Venga conmigo."
They walked together and soon saw a tired, old cat. “Why are
you tired, Mrs. Cat?” The cat answered. “I am tired because I
am old. I can not catch rats. My owner wants to kill me.” “I
understand your problem, Mrs. Cat. We are going to Bremen
to become musicians. Come with us.”
Caminaron juntos y pronto vieron a un gato."Porque esta
usted cansada, Senorita Gata?” La gata contesto. “Yo estoy
cansada porque soy vieja. No puedo capturar a ratas. Mi
dueno quiere matarme." "Yo entiendo tu problema, Señora
Gata. Vamos a Bremen para hacernos musicos. Venga con
nosotros.”
They walked together and soon saw a tired, old rooster. “Why
are you tired?” The rooster answered, “I too old and I can not
crow. My owner wants to eat me.” “I understand, Mr.
Rooster. We are going to Bremen to become musicians. Come
with us. The sun went down. In a forest they saw a house with
lights.
Caminaron juntos y pronto vieron a un gallo cansado y viejo.
"Por que esta cansado?" El gallo contesto, "Yo soy demasiado
viejo y no puedo cantar. Mi dueno quiere comerme." "Yo
entiendo, Sr. Gallo. Vamos a Bremen a hacernos musicos.
Venga con nosotros.” Anochecio. En un bosque vieron una
casa con luces.
The donkey went to a window and saw three robbers with
more food than they could eat. The donkey said, “I have a
good idea!” When the three robbers went to sleep, the four
animals made noises which woke up the robbers.
El burro fue a una ventana y vio tres ladrones con mas
alimento que ellos podrian comer. El dijo "Tengo una buena
idea!" Cuando los tres ladrones se dormieron, los cuatro
animales hicieron ruidos que despertaron a los ladrones.
The robbers ran out the door and away. They thought the
animals were monsters. The animals did not go to Bremen to
become musicians, but they lived happily in the forest for
many years.
Los ladrones corrieron afuera la puerta y alejos. Pensaron que
los animales fueron monstruos. Los animales no fueron a
Bremen a hacerse musicos, sino vivieron en feliz en el bosque
por muchos anos.
NOTE: This is from a German folktale recorded by the Grimm
brothers and retold here by Mason Emerson in English and
Spanish.
CALL OF THE WILD
As condensed from the novel by Jack London.
Photo of Jack London
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/JackLondon2.jpeg
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Buck is a nice strong dog who lives happily in California on the
estate of Judge Miller until humans discover gold in the
Klondike area of Canada. A gardener steals Buck from the
judge and sells him to men who beat him and send him north
in a ship to the Klondike. There a friendly dog, a female
named Curly, is killed by a pack of dogs called huskies. “I
must stay alive,” Buck thinks to himself. Two Canadians use
Buck to pull a sled with mail in it with help from a team of
thirteen other dogs.
Buck es un perro fuerte y amigable que vive feliz en California
en el estado de Juez Miller hasta que seres humanos descubren
oro en el área Klondike de Canada. Un jardinero roba a Buck
del Juez de Buck y lo vende a los hombres que lo azotan y le
envian al norte en un barco al Klondike. Allí una perra
amistosa llamada Curly esta matada por una manada de
perros llamados los esquimales. “Yo tengo que estar vivo,”
Buck piensa. Dos Canadienses utilizan a Buck para tirar un
trineo con correo con la ayuda de un equipo de trece otros
perros.
To survive Buck sometimes fights and sleeps under snow.
Wild dogs attack their camp, and later Buck kills Spitz, the
lead dog. Another man becomes the master of the dogs.
“Perhaps he will be kind to us,” Buck thinks. Instead he forces
them to do harder work and he shoots one dead when the dog
becomes ill. When the other dogs are exhausted the cruel man
sells them to three Americans who are hunting gold.
Para sobrevivir Buck a veces lucha y duerme abajo de la nieve.
Perros salvajes atacan su campamento, y mas tarde Buck mata
a Spitz, el perro principal. Otro hombre se hace amo de los
perros. “Tal vez sera bueno con nosotros,” Buck piensa. En
lugar de eso el los obliga a hacer trabajo mas duro y el mato
con el fusi a un perro cuando llega a ser enfermo. Cuando los
otros perros estaban muy agotados el hombre cruel los vende a
tres americanos que buscan oro.
When the three Americans get the team of dogs, they also
mistreat them as they travel. There is not enough food, and
only five dogs including Buck are alive when the men reach the
camp of a man named John Thornton. Thornton warns the
other men, “Stop traveling. The ice is melting. You will fall
into the water and die.”
Cuando los tres americanos obtienen al equipo de perros,
tambien los maltratan mientras que viajan. No hay suficiente
alimento, y solamente cinco perros incluyendo Buck son vivos
cuando los hombres llegan al campamento de un hombre
nombrado Juan Thornton. Thornton advierte a los otros
hombres, "Paren de viajar. El hielo esta derritiendo. Ustedes
se caeran en el agua y moriran."
Alaskan huskies; courtesy of wikipedia.org
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Leaders.JPG
When the men start to travel Buck refuses to go. One man
begins to hit Buck but Thornton knocks away his knife. The
men leave and they die. Buck loves Thornton. He saves his life
from a river and a man in a bar. He also wins $1,600 dollars
for Thornton when he pulls a sled with one thousand pounds
on it.
Cuando los hombres comienzan a viajar Buck no quiere ir. Un
hombre comienza a golpear a Buck con un cuchillo pero
Thornton golpea su cuchillo. Los hombres se van y mueren.
Buck quiere a Thornton. Salva su vida de un rio y de un
hombre en una cantina. Tambien gana $1.600 dólares para
Thornton cuando el tira un trineo con mil libras.
Thornton and some friends search on foot for a mine in the
forest. Every day after they are away from camp, Buck
explores the land. It is a wilderness similar to a wild creature
with a voice which calls him. Buck becomes a friend to a pack
of wolves. He hunts bears and moose. One day he returns to
camp. He sees that some Native Americans called Yeehats
have killed Thornton.
Thornton y algunos amigos buscan a pie para una mina en el
bosque. Cada día después de que ellos estan lejos del
campamento, Buck explora la tierra. Es una area salvaje llena
de soledad igual a una criatura savaje con una voz que lo
llama. Buck se hace amigo de una manada de lobos. Él caza a
osos y alces. Un día él vuelve al campamento. Él ve que algunos
americanos nativos llamados Yeehats han matado a Thornton .
He thinks, “They must die for doing this!” He kills some of the
Yeehats, dashes into the forest and becomes the leader of a
wolf pack. In the years which follow people begin to call him
the Ghost Dog. He is the father of many cubs, and the Yeehats
fear him. Every year he returns to where Thornton was killed,
mourns his death, and then the wild voice of the forest calls to
him to return to it.
Piensa, "Tienen que morir por hacer esto!" Mata algunos de
los Yeehats, corre rapidamente en el bosque y se hace el líder
de una manada de lobos. En los anos que siguen la gente
comienza a llamarlo el Perro Fantasma. Es padre de muchos
cachorros, y los Yeehats lo temen. Cada año vuelve donde
Thornton fue matado, llora la muerte de el, y entonces la voz
salvaje del bosque lo llama para que volver a ese lugar.
Dogsledding. Courtesy of wikipedia.org.
This story was written by Jack London. His novel was
published in 1903. In the story nature is like a living creature.
Esta historia fue escrito por Jack London. Su novela fue
imprimido en 1903. En la historia la naturaleza es como una
criatura viva.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_the_wild
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Fang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Husky
WORD SEARCH
Call Of The Wild, nice strong dog, on the estate, humans discover gold,
area of Canada, a gardener steals, a friendly dog, a pack of dogs,
huskies, pull a sled, with mail, from a team, to survive, under snow, the
master, hef orces, harder work, he shoots one, exhausted, cruel man,
mistreat, the ice, melting, you will fall, pulls a sled, search on foot,
dashes, many cubs
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BEN HUR
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/RomanChariotBig.jpg
Summarized from the novel by Lew Wallace
By Mason Emerson in English and Spanish
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Judah Ben-Hur lives in Jerusalem where his main rival is a
boy named Messala. When they have become adults, one day
Judah looks from the roof of his house down at a Roman
prince escorted by soldiers including Messala. A piece of the
roof falls and almost kills the prince. Messala lies that he saw
Judah deliberately try to kill the prince. The Romans make
Judah a slave who must help row a huge Roman warship. His
mother and sister are put into a prison.
Judah Ben-Hur vive en Jerusalen donde su rival principal es
un chico nombrado Messala. Cuando han llegado a ser adultos,
un dia Judah mira de la azotea de su casa un principe romano
abajo escoltado por soldados incluyendo Messala. Un pedazo
de la azotea cae y casi mata al príncipe. Messala mentira que
vio a Judah deliberadamente tratar de matar al principe. Los
Romanos hace Judah un esclavo que tiene que ayudar a remar
un barco de guerra enorme romano. Su madre y hermana son
puesto en prision.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Trireme.jpg
Pirates attack Judah’s ship but he escapes and in the sea he
saves the life of the commander, Arrius. A Roman ship
rescues them, Arrius adopts Judah and he becomes a Roman
citizen. After Arrius dies Judah inherits his property. Later
Judah visits the Greek city of Antioch. He learns a little about
Christianity, discovers that his foe Messala is there and will
soon be in a chariot race.
Piratas atacan el barco de Judah pero el escapa y en el mar
salva la vida del comandante, Arrius. Un barco romano los
rescata, Arrius adopta Judah y el llega a ser un ciudadano
romano. Después de que Arrius muere Judah herede su
propriedad. Más adelante Judah visita la ciudad griega de
Antioch. El aprende un poco de cristianismo, descubre que su
enemigo Messala esta alli y pronto estara en una carrera de
carros de batalla.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Puy-du-Fou-4.JPG
Judah wins the race then escapes into the desert where Messala
and other enemies cannot kill him. He travels to Jerusalem.
His mother and sister find him there but they are lepers.
During a demonstration against Rome, he kills a Roman. This
makes him a hero to the people. He believes Jesus Christ will
be a political king against Rome. His mother and sister go to
Jesus and he cures them of leprosy. After seeing the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Judah realizes that the kingdom is
from heaven, not a kingdom ruled by a king on earth. He and
his family become dedicated Christians.
Judah gana la carrera entonces se escapa en el desierto donde
Messala y otros enemigos no pueden matarlo. Él viaja a
Jerusalen. Su madre y hermana lo encuentran a el alli pero
son leperas. Durante una demostracion contra Roma, el mata
a un Romano. Esto le hace un heroe a la gente. El cree que
Jesucristo sera un rey polotico contra Roma. Su madre y
hermana van a Jesus y el las cura de la lepra. Despues de ver la
crucifixion de Jesucristo, Judah realiza que el reino es de cielo,
no un reino gobernado por un rey en la tierra. El y su familia
se hacen cristianos dedicados.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot_race
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur:_A_Tale_of_the_Christ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Nero
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealots
BEN HUR WORDFIND
Ben Hur, Jerusalem, main rival, Messala, they have become, adults,
from the roof, Roman prince, almost, Roman warship, his mother, into
a prison, pirates attack, the commander, Arrius, city of Antioch,
discovers, his foe, chariot race, escapes, desert, lepers, demonstration,
sister, leprosy, crucifixion
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DECODE
Ben Hur, Jerusalem, main rival, Messala, they have become, adults,
from the roof, Roman prince, almost, Roman warship, his mother, into
a prison, pirates attack, the commander, Arrius, city of Antioch,
discovers, his foe, chariot race, escapes, desert, lepers, demonstration,
sister, leprosy, crucifixion
By Letters
By Numbers
THE CRICKET OF HIDALGO
EL GRILLO DE HIDALGO
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
This is a legend from the Mexican state of Hidalgo. Many
years ago a jaguar met a cricket on a road near a forest. The
two animals began to talk to each other. The jaguar said "I'm
going to kill you and all the other animals in this forest!" The
cricket said, "Don't do that!" The jaguar grinned and laughed.
"Little cricket, we'll run to the forest. If I get there first, then
all of you will die! But if you get there first, well, then I will not
kill you or the other animals."
Esto es una leyenda del estado mexicano de Hidalgo. Hace
muchos anos un jaguar encontro a un grillo en un camino
cerca de un bosque. Los dos animales comenzaron a hablar
uno al otro. El jaguar dijo "Voy a matarte y al resto de los
animales en este bosque!" El grillo dijo, "No haga eso!" El
jaguar sonrio y reyo. "Grillo chiquito, vamos a correr al
bosque. Si yo llego alli primero, entonces tu moriras! Pero si
tu llegas primero, pues, entonces no te matare a ti o a los otros
animales.”
The cricket said okay. The jaguar then ran quickly to the
forest. When near the forest he stopped. He looked behind and
shouted. "Cricket! I will soon win! Now I will eat you!" But he
heard a voice that told him "No, I am already here in the
forest." Yes, the little cricket was already in the forest. The
lion frowned. "How did you get to the forest first?" The cricket
answered, "When you ran I hopped onto your tail. When you
stopped I hopped off and was in the forest first." The jaguar
was amazed. He did not eat the cricket, and from that day to
this he does not eat all the animals in the forest - only some of
them.
El grillo dijo oke. El jaguar entonces corrio rapidamente al
bosque. Cuando cerca el bosque se paro. El miro atras y grito
"Grillo! Yo ganare pronto! Ahora yo voy a comerte!" Pero
oya una voz que le dijo "No, ya estoy aqui en el bosque." Si, el
grillo chiquito ya estuvo en el bosque. El leon frunzio el ceno.
"Como llegaste al bosque primero?" El grillo contesto,
"Cuando usted corrio yo salte en su cola. Cuando usted se
paro salte afuera y estuvo en el bosque primero." El jaguar
estuvo sorprendido. El no comio al grillo, y desde ese día a
esto el no come a todos los animales del bosque - solamente
algunos de ellos.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidalgo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crickets
CUAUHTEMOC’S
BED OF ROSES
Courtesy of wikipedia.org
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
After the Emperor Moctezuma had died, Cuitlahuac ruled
four months before dying from sickness. Cuauhtemoc, who
hated the Spaniards, became the last emperor of the Aztec
Empire. His name in the Aztec language meant “Descending
Eagle.” He attacked the Spaniards strongly until they
captured him. Then Julian de Alderete told Cortez, “I am a
treasurer for the King of Spain. Some people say you told
Cuauhtemoc to not tell us where the gold is. Let me torture
him or the king will believe this is true!”
Despues de que el Emperador Moctezuma habia muerto,
Cuitlahuac goberno cuatro meses antes de morir de
enfermedad. Cuauhtemoc, que odio a los españoles, se
convirtio en el ultimo emperador del Imperio Azteca. Su
nombre significo la "Aguila Que Desciende." Ataco a los
espanoles fuertemente hasta que lo capturaron. Entonces
Julian de Alderete dijo a Cortez, "Yo soy el tesorero para el
Rey de Espana. Hay los que dicen que usted dijo a
Cuauhtemoc a no decirnos donde esta el oro. Dejame
torturarlo o el rey creera que este es verdad!"
Okay,” replied Cortez. Aldrete and some soldiers put boiling
oil on the feet of Cuauhtemoc, Tetlepanuetzal the King of
Tlacopan or Tacuba and his advisor named Tlacotzin. After
the soldiers put their feet into fire, the King of Tacuba
screamed “Emperor, I’m in pain!” Cuauhtemoc calmly
replied, “Do you think I myself am enjoying a pleasure bath?!”
“Bien, "contesto Cortez. Aldrete y unos soldados pusieron
aceite herviende en los pies de Cuauhtemoc, Tetlepanuetzal el
rey de Tlacopan o Tacuba y su consejero nombrado Tlacotzin.
Despues de que los soldados pusieran sus pies en el fuego, el
rey de Tacuba grito el "Emperador, tengo dolor!"
Cuauhtemoc contesto tranquilamente, "piensa usted que yo
mismo estoy gozando de un bano del placer?!"
The Native Americans stayed silent. Finally Cortez came and
said, “Stop it!” The torture ended. Cuauhtemoc helped the
Spaniards. A few years later Cortez went to stop a rebellion in
Honduras, and Cuauhtemoc went with him. After Cortez was
told, possibly falsely, that Cuahtemoc also had plans to rebel,
Cortez hung him and the king of Tacuba on February 28, 1525,
although Cuahtemoc warned Cortez that God would punish
him.
Los amerindios permanecieron silenciosos. Finalmente Cortez
vino y dijo, "ranlo!" La tortura termino. Cuauhtemoc ayudo a
los espanoles. Hace unos mas Cortez fue a terminar una
rebelion en Honduras, y Cuauhtemoc fue juntos con el.
Despues de que Cortez fue dicho, posiblemente falsamente, que
Cuahtemoc tambien tuvo planes para rebelar, Cortez los colgo
a el y al rey de Tacuba el 28 de febrero de 1525, aunque
Cuahtemoc advirtio a Cortez que Dios lo castigara.
Today we do not know if the famous gold of the Aztec Empire
was perhaps hidden in a lake or cave in Mexico. However
people sometimes say something similar to what Cuauhtemoc
said when they say “Do you think I myself am on a bed of
roses?” Few Mexican streets or parks have the name of Cortez
but many have the name of Cuauhtemoc or Descending Eagle.
Many believe he is buried at Ixcateopan in the state of
Guerrero.
No sabemos hoy si el oro famoso del Imperio Aztec tal vez fue
escondido en un lago o una cueva en Mexico. Sin embargo a
veces personas dicen algo similar a lo que dijo Cuauhtemoc
cuando dicen "Cree que yo mismo estoy en una cama de
rosas?" Pocas calles o parques mexicanos tienen el nombre de
Cortez pero muchos tienen el nombre de Cuauhtemoc o Aguila
Que Desciende. Muchos creen que esta enterrado en
Ixcateopan en el estado de Guerrero.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuauhtemoc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlacop%C3%A1n
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_Tlacot
zin
CUCKOO AND THE CORN
SEEDS, A MAYA LEGEND
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Many years ago some birds were in trees near some fields.
For example, there were hawks, eagles, and a cuckoo. They
had just eaten a lot of delicious corn seeds. Now they were
singing and chatting happily.
Hace muchos anos unos pajaros estuvieron en arboles
cerca de unos campos. Por ejemplo hubieron halcones, aguila
y un cucu. Acaban de comer muchos semillas deliciosas de
maiz. Ahora estuvieron cantando y charlando alegremente.
Suddenly one shouted, “Fire! Fire! The Rain God has set
the corn fields on fire!” The birds flew up into the clouds to
visit the Rain God. “You are burning the corn fields! That
will destroy the seeds that we eat!”
De repente uno grito, “Fuego! Fuego! El Dios de Lluva
ha quemado los campos de maiz!” Los pajaros volaron arriba
en los nubes para visitar al Dios de Lluvia. “Usted esta
quemando los campos de maiz! Esto detruira las semillas que
comemos!”
“No problem,” said the Rain God. “Get some of the corn
seeds out of the fire. Plant them and I will bring enough rain
so that they will grow again. You will have plenty of good
food.”
“No problema,” dijo el Dios de Lluvia. “Sacan unas
semillas de mail afuera del fuego. Plantalas y traere lluvia
suficiente para que pueden crecer de nuevo. Van a tener
mucha buena comida.
All the birds were afraid to fly near the fire except
Cuckoo. He immediately flew into the fire and soon flew out of
it. In his beak were some corn seeds.
Todos los pajaros tuvieron miedo de volar cerca del fuego
excepto Cuco. Inmediatamente volo al fuego y pronto volo
afuero. En su pico fueron unas semilla de maiz.
The other birds were impressed. They said, “You are so
brave! This may happen again so we will do this for you. We
will take care of your eggs and children.”
Los otros pajaros estuvieron impresionados. Dijeron “Tu
eres tan valiente!” Tal vez esto ocurrera otra vez, por lo tanto
haremos esto para ti. Cuidaremos sus huevos y ninos.”
Cuckoo thought that was a good idea. He smiled then
whistled “Yessss!” And from that day until this day Cuckoos
do not take care of their eggs and children. The other birds do
it for them.
Cuco penso que esto fue una buena idea. Sonreyo luego
silvo “Siiiiiii!” Y desde ese dia al este dia los cucus no cuidan a
sus huevos y ninos. Los otros pajaros lo hacen para ellos.
NOTE: This story is my version which is based upon a
traditional folk story heard in the southern Yucatan of Mexico
which I visited in the 1980s including at Chichen Itza.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yum_Kaax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlaloc
Tlaloc is the Aztec name for the rain god.
DON QUIXOTE DE LA
MANCHA
By Miguel Cervantes Saavedra
Picture courtesy of wikipedia.org
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Don Quixote is a middle-aged man in the La Mancha province
of Spain who loves to read books about knights so much that
he decides to become one. He rides on an old horse named
Rocinante to find adventure along with his squire, a lazy fat
man named Sancho Panza.
Don Quixote es un hombre de mediana edad en la provincia La
Mancha de Espana que ama leer libros acerca de los hidalgos
caballeros tanto que decide a hacerse uno. Monta en un
caballo viejo nombrado Rocinante para encontrar aventuras
junto con su hacendado, un hombre gordo perezoso nombrado
Sancho Panza.
Quixote falls in love with an ordinary peasant woman named
Dulcinea del Toboso whom he thinks is a princess. He often
does bizarre things. For example he attacks windmills which
he thinks are giants. Many times people become angry at the
peculiar things he does, and then Sancho must rescue him from
them.
Quixote se enamora con una mujer campesina ordinaria
nombrada Dulcinea del Toboso quien el piensa es una
princesa. El hace muchas veces cosas extranas. Por ejemplo
ataca molinos de viento que piensa son gigantes. Muchas veces
personas se hacen enojados en las cosas extranas que hace, y
entonces Sancho tiene que rescatarlo de ellas.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Quixo-panza.jpg
While staying with a Duke and Duchess, Sancho becomes ruler
of a small island for ten days, ruling very badly. A young maid
there falls in love with Don Quixote, but he stays a staunch
worshipper of Dulcinea. In Barcelona an old friend in disguise
pretends to be the Knight of the White Moon, and in battle he
vanquishes Don Quixote.
Mientras que permanece con un duque y una duquesa, Sancho
se convierte en el soberano de la isla pequena por diez dias,
gobernando muy malamente. Una criada joven alli se enamora
con Don Quixote, pero el permanece un devoto firme de
Dulcinea. En Barcelona un amigo viejo en disfrazado finja ser
el Caballero de la Luna Blanca, y en batalla vence a Don
Quixote.
Defeated, Don Quixote decides to stop trying to be a famous
knight and dies from a fever. However, now that he is dead he
does become truly famous. This novel by Miguel Cervantes of
Spain is often considered by experts to be the greatest novel in
all world literature.
Derrotado, Don Quixote decide a parar de tratar de hacerse un
caballero famoso y muere de una fiebre. Sin embargo, ahora
que es muerto él llega a ser verdaderamente famoso. Esta
novela de Miguel Cervantes de Espana se considera muchos
expertos la novela mas grande de toda la literatura del mundo.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_de_Cervantes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sancho_Panza
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulcinea
DRACULA
Photos courtesy of wikipedia.com
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Jonathan Harker is a young lawyer in England. He goes to
Castle Dracula in Transylvania to do business with elderly
Count Dracula. Wending through the picturesque land,
peasants warn him that he will be in danger. They give him
crucifixes and say strange words which he later translates as
vampire.
Jonatan Harker es una abogado joven en Inglaterra. Va al
Castillo Dracula en Transylvania para comerciar con el Conde
Dracula anciano. Vagando a traves del paisaje pintoresco,
campesinos lo advierten que esta en peligro. Le dan crucifixes
y dicen palabras extranas que el traduce mas adelante a
significar vampiro.
Harker makes a harrowing trip to the castle during which
angry wolves attack a carriage that he is in. At the old
crumbling castle he meets Dracula. The count seems nice but
then Harker discovers he can not leave the castle. Dracula has
supernatural power.
Harker hace un viaje horrendo al castillo durante lo cual unos
lobos enojados atacan el carruaje en que está el. Al castillo
viejo desmoronado encuentra Dracula. El conde parece
agradable pero entonces Harker descubre que no puede salir
del castillo. Dracula tiene poder supernatural.
1897 photo depicting a female vampire; courtesy of wikipedia.org
Three beautiful female vampires try to attack Harker but
Dracula makes them leave and says, “This man belongs to
me!” Harker tries to escape by climbing down the castle
walls.
Tres vampiros femeninos hermosos tratan de atacar a Harker
pero Dracula los fuerza a salir y dice, "Este hombre pertenece
a mi!" Harker trata de escapar por subir de los muros del
castillo.
In England Harker’s fiancee, Mina Murray, visits her friend
Lucy at Whitby where a Russian ship is wrecked on the shore.
The only living creature on the ship is a dog that leaps to shore
and vanishes into the countryside. The only cargo is fifty boxes
of dirt from Castle Dracula. One night Mina sees Lucy in a
cemetery.
En Inglaterra la novia de Harker, Mina Murray, visita a su
amigo Lucy en Whitby donde un barco ruso esta naufragado
en la orilla. La unica criatura viva en el barco es un perro que
salta a la orilla y desaparece en el paisaje. El unico cargo es
cincuenta cajas sucias del Castillo Dracula. Una noche Mina
ve a Lucy en un cementerio.
A dark form with red eyes is bent over Lucy. Lucy becomes
pale and has two strange tiny red marks on her throat. Mina
and a doctor named Seward can not decide what made the
marks so Seward says “I must ask my old mentor, Professor
Van Helsing, to look at these marks!”
Una forma oscura con ojos rojos esta doblada sobre Lucy.
Lucy se hice palida y tiene dos marcas rojas minusculas
extranas en su garganta. Mina y un doctor nombrado Seward
no pueden decidir lo que hizo las marcas asi que Seward dice
"Tengo que pedir mi viejo mentor, Profesor Van Helsing, a
mirar estas marcas!"
Harker escapes and Mina joins him. Professor Van Helsing
examines Lucy then orders “Cover her chambers with garlic as
a charm against vampires!!” This helps but when Lucy begins
to recover her mother unwittingly removes the garlic. Van
Helsing and Seward give Lucy blood transfusions but one night
a wolf comes and kills her.
Harker escapa y Mina se reune con el. Profesor Van Helsing
examina a Lucy entonces manda "Cubre sus compartimientos
con ajo como encanto contra vampiros!!" Esto ayuda pero
cuando Lucy comienza a recuperarse su madre sin saber mejor
remueve al ajo. Van Helsing y Seward dan transfusiones de
sangre a Lucy pero una noche un lobo viene y la mata a ella.
At Lucy’s tomb Van Helsing says “Lucy is one of the Un-Dead.
She seems dead but is a vampire like Count Dracula. We must
kill her.” The other men are skeptical until they see Lucy as a
vampire attacking a child. “Van Helsing! We must destroy
her exactly as you say!!”
A la tumba de Lucy, Van Helsing dice "Lucy es uno de los Nomuertos. Parece muerta pero es una vampira como Conde
Dracula. Tenemos que matarlo.” Los otros hombres son
escepticos hasta que ven a Lucy como vampira que ataca a un
nino. "Van Helsing! Tenemos que destruirla exactamente
como usted dice!!"
Holmwood stabs the vampire with a stake in the heart. Next
Dracula attacks Jonathan’s fiancee Mina, who begins to slowly
become a vampire. Dracula flees but the men and Mina who is
still not totally a vampire chase him. At Castle Dracula they
kill the three female vampires and Dracula himself.
Holmwood apuna la vampira con una estaca en el corazon.
Dracula sigue atacando a la novia de Johnathan, Mina, que
comienza lentamente a hacerse una vampira. Dracula huye
pero los hombres y Mina quien todavía no es totalmente una
vampira lo persiguen. En el Castillo Dracula ellos matan a las
tres vampiras y Dracula si mismo.
Courtesy of wikipedia.org
Some people have thought the story of Dracula was based upon
the life of Count Vlad III, a very cruel man who lived in
Romania from 1431 to 1476. However, most people no longer
believe that is true.
Unas personas han creido que la historia de Dracula fue
basado en la vida del Conte Vlad el Tercero, un hombre muy
cruel que vivio en Romania de 1431 a 1476. Sin embargo, la
mayoria de personas ahora no cree que es la verdad.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_the_Impaler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire
THE FLIES AND THE HONEY
LAS MOSCAS Y LA MIEL
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Not far away from the River of Fog in the mountains of
Chihuahua ten pretty little flies smelled some honey beside a
house. “That smells delicious!” One said. “I can see it. It’s in a
jar of honey which spilled. Ah!! How sweet it smells!”
Another fly said “Let’s get it! I’m hungry!” Then all the little
flies flew to the jar of honey and put their feet down into it. Oh,
no! Now they could not get away! It was too sticky. The
honey began to draw them down into it
.
No lejos del Rio de Niebla en las montañas de Chihuahua diez
moscas guapas chiquitas olian un poco de miel al lado de una
casa. "Ese olfatea deliciosa!" Uno dijo. "Puedo verlo. Esta en
una jarra de miel que se derramo. Ah! ¡Que dulce olfatea!"
Otra mosca dijo "Consigamosla! Tengo hambre!" Entonces
todos las moscas chiquitas volaron a la jarra de miel y pusieron
sus pies adentro.. ¡Oh, no! Ahora no podrian escapar alejos!
Fue demasiado pegajosa. La miel comenza a tirarlas abajo y
adentro.
"Help! Help!" They shouted. Then they buzzed in fear. One
little fly died. Soon another little fly died. Then the other little
flies one after another began to die. As the last little fly also
began to die she said, "We were so-o-o-o stupid. We have given
up our lives for just a little pleasure. No honey is worth death!"
And then she also died. Do you also try to do exciting but
dangerous things? Can you also die even though very young?
¡"Socorro! Socorro!" Gritaron. Entonces zumbaron en
miedo. Una mosca chiquita murio. Pronto otra mosca
chiquita murio. Entonces las otras moscas chiquitas uno tras
otra empezaron a morir. Mientras que el la ultima mosca
chiquita tambien comenzo a morir ella dijo, "Fuimos t-a-a-an
tontas. Hemos dadas nuestras vidas para apenas de un poco de
placer. Ninguna miel vale a la muerte!" Y entonces ella
tambien murio. ¿Tratan ustedes tambien de hacer cosas
excitantes pero peligrosas? ¿Pueden ustedes tambien morir
aunque son muy jovenes?
NOTE: This story is from Aesop’s Fables but is retold here by Mason
Emerson in English and Spanish.
FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER
EL MONSTRUO DE
FRANKENSTEIN
Courtesy of wikipedia.org
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Plot summarized from a novel by Mary Shelley
The scientist Victor Frankenstein creates a monster from dead
bodies. The monster knows Victor does not like it, so it
escapes and kills his brother William. Later it kills his new
wife also. He chases it toward the North Pole. It escapes, and
a ship rescues Victor. Victor tells his story then dies. The
monster cries about his death. It goes north to die alone in the
ice.
El cientifico Victor Frankenstein crea un monstruo de cuerpos
muertos. El monstruo sabe que Victor no le gusta a el, por lo
tanto escapa y mata su hermano Guillermo. Mas adelante
mata su nueva esposa tambien. Lo persigue hacia el Polo
Norte. Escapa y un barco rescata a Victor. Victor dice su
historia entonces muere. El monstruo llora de su muerta
entonces va al norte a morir solo en el hielo.
This novel is very exciting. It also has a serious lesson. It
teaches that although science often does good things,
sometimes it does dangerous things. For example, it is
dangerous when scientists try to create new forms of life.
Mary Shelley wrote Frankstein and published the book in 1818
in London. Some experts say it was the first science fiction
novel.
Esta novela es excitante. Tiene una leccion seriosa tambien.
Ensena que aunque la ciencias a menudo hacen cosas buenas, a
veces tambien hacen las cosas peligrosas. Por ejemplo es
peligroso cuando los cientificos tratan de crear formas nuevas
de la vida. Mary Shelley escribio Frankstein y publico al libro
en 1818 en Londres. Unos expertos dicen que fue la primera
novela de ciencia ficcion.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein%27s_Monster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus.jpg
HANSEL AND
GRETEL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hansel-and-gretel-rackham.jpg
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Many years ago a family lived near a forest. They was very
poor and did not have much to eat. The husband was a
woodcutter. One day his wife told him “Take our son and
daughter into the forest and leave them there. They will die
then you and we will have enough food.”
Hace muchos anos una familia vivio cerca de un bosque.
Fueron muy pobres y no tuvieron mucho para comer. El
marido era un lenador. Un dia su esposa le dijo "Toma nuestro
hijo e nuestra hija adentro del bosque y dejalos alli. Entonces
ellos van a morir y nosotros vamos a tener bastante para
comer."
He took the children into the forest and left them there, but he
planned to return and rescue them. The boy named Hansel
had heard what his stepmother had said, so as they walked he
dropped pieces of bread on the ground to know how to leave
the forest later.
El tomo los ninos adentro del bosque y los quito alli, pero el
planeo a volver y rescatarlos. El nino nombrado Hansel habia
oído lo que su madradrasta dijo, asi que hizo caer pedazos de
pan en la tierra para saber como a salir del bosque mas
adelante.
Unfortunately birds ate the bread. Also when the father tried
to find the children the next evening, they were already gone.
He cried because he thought wild animals had eaten them.
However, Hansel and his sister Gretel were alive.
Desafortunadamente los pajaros comieron el pan. Tambien
cuando el padre intento a encontrar a los ninos la tarde
proxima, ellos ya habian idos. Grito porque creyo que los
animales salvajes los habian comidos. Sin embargo, Hansel y
su hermana Gretel estuvieron vivos.
They tried to find a way out of the forest. They became very
very hungry. The sun was going down. Suddenly they saw a
house made of cookies and candy. “Let’s eat some of it!”
Hansel told Gretel.
Trataron de encontrar una via afuera del bosque. Tuvieron
muchisimo hambre. Anochecio. Vieron repentinamente una
casa hecha de galletas y caramelo. “Vamos a comer un poco de
ella!" Hansel le dijo a Gretel.
After they had eaten some of the house suddenly its owner, an
ugly old witch, capture them. She put Hansel into a huge cage.
She made Gretel work a lot. The witch was only at the house
part of each night but when she left she always locked the
house so that the children could not escape.
Despues de que habian comido un poco de la casa
repentinamente su duena, una vieja bruja fea, los capturo.
Puso Hansel en una jaula enorme. Obligo a Gretel a trabajar
mucho. La bruja estuvo solamente en la casa parte de cada
noche pero cuando se fue ella trabo siempre la casa de modo
que los ninos no pudieran escaparse.
One day she told Gretel, “Get into my big oven. I want to see if
it is working.” Gretel said “I don’t know how to get inside it.
You show me how.”
Un dia ella dijo a Gretel, "Entrate en mi horno grande. Quiero
ver si esta funcionando." Gretel dijo "yo no se como entrarme
adentro de el. Demuestrame como hacerlo."
The old witch grumbled then got inside. Gretel quickly closed
the door of the oven which was very hot. The children found a
key and escaped from the house while the witch remained in
the hot oven.
La vieja bruja se quejo entonces se entro adentro. Gretel cerro
rápidamente la puerta del horno que tuvo mucho calor. Los
ninos encontraron una llave y se escaparon de la casa mientras
que la bruja permanecio en el horno caliente.
They returned to their father who was delighted to see his
children alive. Hansel and Gretel were happy except that they
and their father never discovered where their mother had
gone.
Regresaron a su padre quien fue encantado a ver a sus ninos
vivos. Hansel y Gretel fueronn felices excepto que ellos y su
padre nunca descubrieron adonde habia ido su madrastra.
NOTE: This is from a folktale by the Grimm brothers of
Germany and also previously by Giambattista Basile of Naples.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansel_and_gretel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_Grimm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giambattista_Basile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairytales
HEIDI
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
From the novel by Johanna Spyri
Aunt Dete raises the orphan Heidi until at age five she takes
the child to her grandfather. They walk a mountain path
above the village of Dorfli to the old hermit’s hut. He lives
alone, bothered by memories of when he was a young man who
gambled, drank and went to war.
Tia Dete cria a la orfena Heidi hasta la edad de cinco cuando
ella lleva la nina a su abuelo. Camina un sendero de una
montana arriba de la aldea de Dorfli a la cabana del ermitano
viejo. Vive solo, moletado por memorias de cuando fue un
hombre joven quien jugo, bebio y fue a guerra.
He does not like the villagers and tries to never go down to
their village. They fear him and worry that he will not take
good care of Heidi. Beside his hut are three fir trees
surrounded by sweet-scented red, yellow and blue flowers.
Heidi loves being with him and his goats Little Swan and Little
Bear. She sleeps in a loft under straw. They eat bread and
cheese and drink milk.
A el no le gusta a los aldeanos y trata de no nunca ir abajo a su
aldea. Tienen miedo de el y se preocupan de que no va a
cuidar a Heidi. Al lado de su cabana hay tres arboles de abeto
rodeados por flores rojas, amarillas y azules de olor fragrante.
A Heidi le gusta estar con el y sus cabras Cisnita y Osito.
Duerme en un desvan debajo de paja. Comen el pan y el queso
y beben la leche.
Heidi likes to accompany and play with an eleven year old boy
named Peter who takes care of other people’s goats such as
Old Turk, Snowflake and Greenfinch. During the winter
months Grandpa takes Heidi in a sleigh down to visit with
Peter’s blind grandmother and mother.
A Heidi le gusto de acompanar y de jugar con un nino de once
anos nombrado Pedro quien cuida a las cabras de otra gente
tales como el Viejo Turco, Copo de Nieve y Pinzon Verde.
Durante las meses de invierno Abuelo lleva a Heidi en un
trineo abajo a visitar con la abuela ciega y madre de Pedro.
They love the little girl who is intelligent and entertains them a
lot with her many questions and cute comments. Grandpa
fixes the windows of their cottage while Heidi visits. Suddenly,
when Heidi is eight, her aunt Dete returns comes and says she
wants to take Heidi to Frankfurt to be the companion of a girl
who cannot walk.
Ellos aman a la nina pequena que es inteligente y entretiene a
ellos muchisimo por sus muchas preguntas y comentarios
monos. Abuelo repara las ventanas de su cabana mientras
que Heidi las visita. De repente cuando Heidi tiene ocho anos,
su tia Dete regresa y dice que quiere llevar a Heidi a Francfort
para ser .a companera para una nina que no puede caminar.
When Grandpa has left the hut, Heidi’s aunt Dete runs away
with Heidi to Frankfurt to be a companion for 12-year-old
Clara Seseman who cannot walk and is in a wheelchair. Mrs.
Rottenmeier, the woman who cares for the house when Clara’s
father is away because of business, does not like Heidi. For
example Heidi brings kittens into the house.
Cuando Abuelo ha salido de la cabana, la tia Dete de Heidi se
fuga con ella Heidi a Francfort para ser un companera Clara
Seseman quien tiene doce anos y quien no puede caminar y
esta en un silla de ruedas. La senora Rottenmeier, la mujer
que cuida a la casa cuando el padre de Clara esta ausente a
causa de negocio, no le tiene gusta de Heidi. Por ejemplo
Heidi trae a gatitos en la casa.
However, Clara is delighted to have her. Heidi learns to read
and write from Clara’s tutor, hoping that someday she can
return to the mountain and read stories to Peter’s
grandmother. She becomes homesick and at night sleepwalks
as if a ghost in the house. Clara’s father agrees with a doctor
to send her back to the mountain and her grandfather.
Sin embargo, Clara se encanta para tenerla. Heidi aprende
leer y escribir del tutor privado de Clara, esperando que ella
puede regresar a la montana y leer algun dia historias a la
abuela de Pedro. Ella tiene morrina y camina dormida en la
noche como si un fantasma en la casa. El padre de Clara esta
de acuerdo con un doctor a enviarla de nuevo a la montana y a
su abuelo.
Grandpa is extremely happy that Heidi has returned. She
shows him that she can read. She reads a Bible story about a
father forgiving a son who had done bad things and run away
from home.
Abuelo es extremadamente feliz que Heidi ha regresado. Ella
le demuestra que puede leer. Lee una historia de la Biblia
sobre un padre que perdona a un hijo que habia hecho malas
cosas y habia fugado de casa.
The villagers are amazed when Grandpa comes to church
among them with Heidi who is happy and healthy. After Heidi
returns to the mountain she and Clara write letters to each
other. The doctor encourages Clara’s father to let her visit
Heidi. At the same time Heidi is teaching Peter to read and
write.
Los aldeanos estan pasmados cuando Abuelo viene a la iglesia
entre si mismos con Heidi que es feliz y sana. Despues de que
Heidi regresa a la montana ella y Clara escriben cartas una a
otra. El doctor anima a la padre de Clara a permitir que ella
visita Heidi. Al mismo tiempo Heidi esta ensenando a Pedro a
leer y a escribir.
Clara enjoys a summer with Heidi. Her health improves a lot.
One day Peter becomes jealous of Clara and destroys her
wheelchair by shoving it down the mountain. Clara tries to
walk in order to smell some flowers and finds that she can do
it. Clara's Father is overjoyed that Clara can walk again and
promises that after Grandpa he will gladly raise Heidi along
with his daughter.
Clara goza de un verano con Heidi. Su salud mejora mucho.
Un dia Pedro se hace celoso de Clara y destruye su silla de
ruedas empujandola abajo de la montana. Clara trata de
caminar para oler a unas flores y descubre que puede hacerlo.
El padre de Clara no le cabia de el en gozo que Clara puede
caminar de nuevo y promete que despues de que Abuelo ha
muerto criara a Heidi junto con su hija.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Spyri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%BCrich
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirzel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graub%C3%BCnden
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chur
http://flickr.com/search/?q=Switzerland
http://flickr.com/search/?q=Swiss+Alps&m=text
THE LITTLE MERMAID
LA SIRENITA
Courtesy of wikipedia.org from Project Gutenberg
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
One day maybe near Acapulco a beautiful young mermaid
named Marimar swam to the surface of the sea. There a
handsome young man named Terano saw her. Immediately he
fell in love with Marimar. He jumped into the water to be with
her. There they sang and played together, but then Terano
began to drown.
Un dia tal vez acerca de Acapulco una sirena jovena y hermosa
nombrada Marimar nado a la superficie del mar. Alli un
hombre joven hermoso nombrado Terano la vio. El se
enamoro a Marimar. Salto en el agua para estar con ella.
Alli ellos cantaron y jugaron juntos, pero entonces Terano
comenzo a ahogarse.
Marimar tried to save his life. She took him to the land.
Eventually he awoke, but the beautiful young mermaid had
gone. Under the sea Marimar was very sad. She cried
everyday, until one day her father Okeanus saw her crying.
“Why are you so sad, my daughter?” She replied, “I want to
marry a handsome young man named Terano who lives on the
land.”
Marimar trato de salvar su vida. Lo llevo a la tierra. Se
desperto eventualmente pero la serena jovena hermosa habia
ido. Debajo del mar Marimar fue muy triste. Ella lloro diario
hasta que un dia su padre Okeanus la vio gritando. "Porque
eres tu tan triste, mi hija?" Ella contesto, "Quiero casarme
con un hombre joven hermoso nombrado Terano que vive en
la tierra."
Okeanus said “If you go to live on the land you can’t live here
again, my daughter. But I want you to be happy, so go to
Terano. If he kisses you before the sun goes down before the
third day, then you can marry him.” At first Marimar cried
more than before because she loved her father a lot. Finally
she kissed him goodbye then swam to the top of the sea where
she saw some people. She asked them to help her find the
handsome young man.
Okeanus dijo"Si tu vas a vivir en la tierra tu no puedes vivir
aqui no mas, mi hija. Pero yo quiero que tu seras feliz, por lo
tanto vete a Terano. Si te besa antes de que atardece antes del
tercer dia, entonces tu puedes casarte con el." Al primero
Marimar lloro mas que antes porque amo a su padre mucho.
Finalmente ella lo beso adios entonces nado a la superficie del
mar donde vio alguna gente. Ella los pidio a ayudarla a
encontrar al hombre joven hermoso.
They said Terano was the prince of the kingdom, put her in a
large bathtub of water, then took her to the castle of the king.
In the castle Terano often entered the water where he swam
with her. On the third day he asked Marimar if she would
marry him. She agreed, and they kissed. She had no fins now,
but she now had two normal legs. Marimar could never live
with her father Okeanus, but she did often walk to the beach
and speak with him while he swam in the sea.
Dijeron que Terano fue el principe del reino, la pusieron en
una tina grande de agua, entonces la llevo al castillo del rey.
En el castillo Terano entro a menudo el agua donde nado con
ella. En el tercer dia pidio a Marimar si ella lo casaria. Ella
convino, y se besaron. Ella no tenia ningunas aletas ahora, sino
que ahora tuvo dos piernas normales. Marimar nunca podria
vivir con su padre Okeanus, pero caminaba a la playa y
hablaba a menudo con el mientras que el nadaba en el mar.
NOTE: The Little Mermaid is a Danish folktale recorded by
Hans Christen Anderson, here retold by Mason Emerson in
English and Spanish and given a setting in Mexico.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acapulco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark
LITTLE MERMAID WORDFIND
The Little Mermaid, Acapulco, young, mermaid, named,
Marimar, handsome, Terano, they sang, together, he began, to
drown, to save, his life, she took, eventually, he awoke, under,
very sad, until, Okeanus, daughter, he kisses, the sun, marry,
prince, kingdom, in the castle, she agreed, he swam
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DIVIDE THE WORDS
FROM THE LITTLE MERMAID
The Little Mermaid, Acapulco, young, mermaid, named, Marimar, handsome,
Terano, they sang, together, he began, to drown, to save, his life, she took,
eventually, he awoke, under, very sad, until, Okeanus, daughter, he kisses, the sun,
marry, prince, kingdom, in the castle, she agreed, he swam
thelittlemermaidacapulcoyoungmermaidnamedmarimar
handsometeranotheysangtogetherhebegantodrowntosavehis
lifeshetookeventuallyheawokeunderverysaduntilOkeanus
daughterhekissesthesunmarryprincekingdominthecastleshe
agreedheswam
thelittlemermaidacapulcoyoungmermai
dnamedmarimarhandsometeranotheysa
ngtogetherhebegantodrowntosavehis
lifeshetookeventuallyheawokeunderver
ysaduntilOkeanusdaughterhekissesthesu
nmarryprincekingdominthecastleshe
agreedheswam
thelittlemermaidacapulcoyoungmermaidnamedmarimarhandsometeranotheysa
ngtogetherhebegantodrowntosavehislifeshetookeventuallyheawokeunderverysa
duntilOkeanus daughterhekissesthesunmarryprincekingdominthecastleshe
agreedheswam
thelittlemermaidacapulcoyoungmermaidnamedmarimar
handsometeranotheysangtogetherhebegantodrowntosa
vehislifeshetookeventuallyheawokeunderverysaduntilO
keanusdaughterhekissesthesunmarryprincekingdominthe
castleshe agreedheswam
thelittlemermaidacapulcoyoungmermaidnamedmarimarhandsometeranotheysangto
getherhebegantodrowntosavehislifeshetookeventuallyheawokeunderverysaduntilOk
eanus daughterhekissesthesunmarryprincekingdominthecastleshe
THE LITTLE
RED HEN
wikipedia.org
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
One day the Little Red Hen found some wheat. "Who will
plant this grain?" She asked. "Not I," said the Duck. "Not
I," said the Cat. “Not I,” said the dog. "Then I will," said the
Little Red Hen. And she did.
Un dia la Gallina Roja Chiquita encontro un grano de trigo.
“Quien va a plantar este grano de trigo?” Ella pregunto. “No
yo,” dijo el Pato. “No yo,” dijo el Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro.
“Entonces yo voy a,” dijo la Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo
hizo.
Soon the wheat grew tall. "Who will cut the wheat?" The
Little Red Hen asked. "Not I," said the Duck. "Not I," said
the Cat. "Not I," said the Dog. "Then I will," said the Little
Red Hen. And she did.
Pronto el trigo crezo alto. “Quien va a cortar el trigo?” La
Gallina Roja Chiquita pregunto. “No yo,” dijo el Pato. “No
yo,” dijo el Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro. “Entonces yo voy
a,” dijo la Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo hizo.
When the wheat was cut, the Little Red Hen said, "Who will
thresh the wheat?" "Not I," said the Duck. "Not I," said the
Cat. "Not I," said the Dog. "Then I will," said the Little Red
Hen. And she did.
Cuando el trigo fue cortado la Gallina Roja Chiquita dijo,
“Quien va a trillar el trigo?” “No yo,” dijo el Pato. “No yo,”
dijo el Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro. “Entonces yo voy a,”
dijo la Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo hizo.
When the wheat was threshed, the Little Red Hen said, "Who
will take this wheat to the mill?" "Not I," said the Duck.
"Not I," said the Cat. "Not I," said the Dog. "Then I will,"
said the Little Red Hen. And she did.
Cuando el trigo fue trillado la Gallina Roja Chiquita dijo,
“Quien va a tomar este trigo a la molina?” “No yo,” dijo el
Pato. “No yo,” dijo el Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro.
“Entonces yo voy a,” dijo la Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo
hizo.
The Little Red Hen took the wheat to the mill where she
ground the wheat into flour. Then she said, "Who will make
this flour into bread?" "Not I," said the Duck. "Not I," said
the Cat. "Not I," said the Dog. "Then I will," said the Little
Red Hen. And she did.
La Gallina Roja Chiquita tomo el trigo a la molina donde
molio el trigo a harina. Entonces ella dijo, “Quien va a hacer
este trigo en pan?” “No yo,” dijo el Pato. “No yo,” dijo el
Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro. “Entonces yo voy a,” dijo la
Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo hizo.
The Little Red Hen baked the bread. Then she said, "Who will
eat this bread?" "Oh! I will," said the Duck. "And I will,"
said the Cat. "And I will," said the Dog. "No, No!" said the
Little Red Hen. "I will do that." And she did.
La Gallina Roja Chiquita cocio el pan. Entonces ella dijo,
“Quien va a comer este pan?” “No yo,” dijo el Pato. “No yo,”
dijo el Gato. “No yo,” dijo el Perro. “Entonces yo voy a,”
dijo la Gallina Roja Chiquita. Y ella lo hizo.
NOTE: This is a folktale probably of Russian origin.
LEARN MORE
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/18735
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Hen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken
http://flickr.com/search/?q=red+hen+with+chicks&m=text
LITTLE RED HEN
WORDFIND
wikipedia.com
Circle each English word that is in the
wordfind. Encierren cada palabra inglesa
que esta en la buscapalabras.
little red hen, wheat, grain, thresh, ground, baked,
the mill, bread, flour, the duck, the cat, the dog,
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LOOTOONG THE
BALINESE
MATCHMAKER
A traditional Balinese folktale retold by A.A.
Terry (Terbika) Tisna
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MonkeyForestPiet%C3%A1.jpg
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
One day on the island of Bali, Bapa Farmer finally captured
Lootoong the monkey who had been stealing his cucumbers.
He threw him into a cage outside his house, fastened the door
then yelled at Lootoong that he was so angry at Lootoong that
his wife and pretty daughter would kill the monkey and fix him
into a meal. He returned to working in the field and Lootoong
soon heard the women preparing spices. A friendly cute little
turtle named Aleet came and asked the nervous monkey what
was to matter.
Un día en la isla de Bali, Bapa Granjero finalmente capturo a
Luting el chango quien habia robado sus pepinos. Lo tiro en
una jaula afuera de su casa, cerro la puerta entonces grito a
Lutung que estaba tan enojado de Lutung que su esposa e hija
bonita matarian al mono y prepararlo para una comida. Él
volvio al trabajo en el campo y Lutung pronto oyo a las
mujeres preparando especias. Una pequena tortuga amistosa
y linda nombrada Alit vino y pregunto al chango nervioso de lo
que habia ocurrido.
“Can’t you smell those spices? Farmer’s wife and daughter
are fixing a wedding meal. He wants me to marry his pretty
daughter but I don’t want to!” Aleet asked “Why don’t you
want to? She sure is pretty. I would marry her myself if I
could.” Lootoong smiled, “Good! Then you can marry her,
Aleet. I want to stay free so I can jump in the trees! Unlock
the door then you get in here!”
"No puedes oler esas especias? La esposa y la hija del granjero
estan preparando una comida de boda. El quisiera que casare
con su hija bonita pero no quiero hacerlo!" Alit pregunto "por
que no quieres hacerlo? Es cierto que ella es bonita. La
casaria yo mismo si podria." Lutung sonrio, "Bueno!
Entonces usted puede casarse con ella, Alit. Quiero quedarme
libre asi que puedo saltar en los arboles! Descierre la puerta
entonces puedes entrarte por aca!"
Aleet did what Lootoong said and the monkey ran and climbed
a tree in the jungle. Farmer’s wife and daughter soon came
outside to the cage. When she saw the turtle the daughter
asked “Momma shall we eat him instead of the monkey?” The
mother looked thoughtful but then she heard Lootoong
mocking her from the trees, “No! Let’s catch that little devil!”
They ran all over looking for Lootoong, and Bapa Farmer also
came from the fields to search. Finally they became tired and
returned to the cage to eat the turtle.... but Aleet was gone.
Alit hizo lo que Lutung dijo y el chango corrio y trepo a un
arbol en la selva. La esposa y la hija del granjero vinieron
pronto afuera de la jaula. Cuando ella vio la tortuga la hija
pregunto "Momma lo comeremos en lugar del chango?" La
madre parecio pensativa pero entonces oyo Lutung burlandose
de ella de los arboles, "No! Cojamos a ese pequeno diablo!"
Corrian a todas partes buscaba Lutung, y Granjero Bapa
tambien vino de los campos a buscarlo. Finalmente llegaron a
ser cansados y se regresaron a la jaula para comer la tortuga....
pero Aleet ya se fue.
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaque
LOOTOONG THE
BALINESE
PEACEMAKER
A traditional Balinese folktale retold by
A.A. Terry (Terbika) Tisna
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MonkeyForestPiet%C3%A1.jpg
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Lootoong the Balinese monkey waded at low tide to a river
island with a lot of bananas. He called it Noosa Ayoo or Pretty
Island. When the sun began to set he saw Land Crab and
asked, “Why are you walking with that house on your back?”
Crab answered “I must move or Firefly will touch me and
burn my house down!” Lootoong found Firefly, “Why are you
carrying that fire? It scares Land Crab!” Firefly answered “I
must or Dragonfly will kill me with his spear.” Lootoong met
Dragonfly, “Bully! Don’t carry that spear!” Dragonfly said “I
must or the river frog will kill me with a whip that comes out
of his mouth.” Lootoong spoke to Frog who said, “I must
defend myself from Water Bird’s scissors.”
Lutung el chango Balines vadeo en la marea baja a una isla del
rio con muchos platanos. Lo llamo Nusa Ayu o Isla Bonita.
Cuando anochecio vio al Cangrejo de Tierra y pregunto, "Por
que tiene que caminar con esa casa en su espalda?" Cangrejo
contesto "Tengo que moverme o la luciernaga me tocara y
quemara mi casa!" Lutung encontro la luciernaga, "Por que
esta llevando ese fuego? Asusta al Cangrejo de Tierra!"
Luciernaga contesto "Tengo que hacerlo u Libelula me
matara con su lanza." Lutung encontro a Libelula, "Maton!
No lleve esa lanza!" Libelula dijo "Tengo que hacerlo u Rana
del Rio me matara con un azote que salga de su boca." Lutung
hablo a Rana que dijo "Tengo que defenderme de las tijeras
del Pajaro del Agua."
Lootoong scratched his head. “Then I’ll talk to him too.”
Water Bird said he had to protect himself from the snake
Naga. Lootoong lept to a branch and asked “Stop using your
poison, then all animals can have peace.” Naga hissed, “S-s-ss-s-silly, monkey! I need it. Sssssamong the tiger would kill
me with the knives on his pawssssss!” Lootoong lept to a
branch above Samong. “Get rid of those knives!” Samong
yawned “A human would kill me.” The next day when the tide
was low Lootoong went across the river and that night found a
villager carrying a gun while walking along a road. He
hollered, “Why must humans carry weapons!!?”
Lutung rasguno su cabeza. "entonces hablare con el tambien."
El Pajaro del Agua dijo que el tuvo que protegerse contra
Naga la serpiente. Lutung salto a una rama y pidio "Deja de
usar su veneno, entonces todos los animales pueden tener la
paz?" ¡El naga silbo, "S-s-s-s-s-chango tonto! Lo necesito.
Sssssamong el tigre me mataria con los cuchillos en sus
zarpasssss!" Lutung salto una rama sobre Samong. "Quitase
de esos cuchillos!" Samong bostezo "Un ser humano me
mataria." El día siguiente cuando la marea fue baja Lutung
fue a traves del rio a la tierra y esa noche encontro a un
aldeano llevando una arma de fuego mientras que fue a lo
largo de un camino. El grito "Porque tienen que llevar los
humanos armas de fuego!!?"
The man stared at the distant monkey. “I need this gun
because of the firefly. We Balinese believe that at night any
firefly might be a leyak, an evil witch!” Lootoong ran back to
the beach, waded to Noosa Ayoo, found the ruins of an ancient
palace, sat upon a throne and kept saying, “I can’t understand
why all those other animals and humans fear Firefly for his
fire. From experience I know his fire isn’t real fire! They are
silly, but not me. I’m one smart monkey!”
El hombre miro fijamente al mono distante. "Necesito este
arma debido a la luciernaga. Nosotros la gente de Bali creemos
que en la noche cualquiera luciernaga pudo ser una leyak, una
bruja malvada!" Lutung corrio de nuevo a la playa, vadeo a
Nusa Ayu, encontro las ruinas de un palacio antiguo, se sento
en un trono y sigo de decir "No puedo entender porque todos
esos otros animales y humanos temen a la luciernaga por el
fuego. Por experiencia yo se que su fuego no es fuego
verdadero! Son tontos, pero no yo. Yo soy un chango listo!"
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaque
LORNA DOONE
As retold from the 1869 novel by Richard Doddridge Blackmore.
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
This and other photos from the novel.
This is my story which began in a time of considerable darkness.
T’was in the late 1600s in the region of Exmoor in the Badgworthy Valley
of Devon, England. At that time a lad named John Ridd was but twelve
years old. John was the son of an honest farmer murdered by one of the
vicious Doone clan, a family also once honorable but become villains who
plagued the land, burning farms, attacking men and kidnapping women.
John too became a farmer who cared for his mother and two sisters. Even at
just fourteen he was already a very good man, one to be proud of. He was
exploring the waters of the Bagworthy and spearing fish one day at a dark
whirlpool. Of a sudden he lost his footing and was nearly drowned.
He then met me, as he has said, a little girl with lovely dark eyes and a
primrose in the hair. We fell in love and he took me home to his mother
and sisters after I told him how terribly I had been treated by my own
family.
“And just what might your family’s name be?” I was asked.
“I am the granddaughter of Sir Ensor Doone the lord of the Doones.”
The family looked shocked though I well knew that John’s love was fixed. I
continued, “In fact someday I am supposed to someday marry Carver
Doone, the heir of Sir Ensor, but I don’t love him in the least!”
John’s family kept me in safety regardless of my family’s name. Then one
day we heard that of a sudden Sir Ensor Doone had died. Now as the new
lord of the Doones, Carver Doone came for me, but John had already helped
me escape to the Ridd’s farm.
The others in John family also protected me from Carver Doone and the rest
of the Doone clan when they attacked the farm. They did this despite their
distaste for all the Doones including myself simply because they were good
people.
Then it was that after the thwarted attack one of the Ridds noticed my
necklace, which Sir Ensor had said was my mother’s. They investigated
some more and discovered it had belonged to a Lady Dugal, a woman whom
outlaws had robbed and murdered in her carriage. Only her daughter had
lived.
Of course this meant that I was now a woman of wealth, but this was no glad
tidings for by the law of the land I must go to London to be cared for by the
King, Charles II. John and I had hoped to marry but now we simply could
not.
While I was there, though, King James died, and the Duke of Monmouth
rebelled. He wanted the throne from Charles's brother James. Also, I
learned that the Doones were supporting Monmouth’s revolt.
It was with much joy that I finally heard that they with Monmouth had been
beaten at the Battle of Sedgemoor.
But the bad tidings were that my love John Ridd had been captured and was
being falsely accused of having supported Monmouth. However, John
appeared in London accompanied by a friend so as to prove his innocence.
We met, he and I myself who by now was known as the Lady Lorna Dugal.
The fires of our love still burned and flared within us both. Fortunately
John prevented an attack against the oldest man of my new family the
Dugals. The King said forsoothe John was verily a good and brave man. He
pardoned him, gave him a title and sent him back to Exmoor.
There my love, who well knew the lay of the land, did lead an attack against
the Doone clan, killing most of them. However, Carver Doone escaped and
said he would yet kill me.
Seeing that my young lady’s heart as it truly was, His Majesty King James at
this time decided to let myself return to Exmoor to marry John at a church.
We were at our wedding, when suddenly Carver broke in and shot me before
escaping on horseback.
I am told that John rode after him and they fought to the death in a bog.
There when Carver Doone started to sink into the dark muck, John offered to
save him, but Carver refused the offer and thus did he die.
John returned for my corpse, but then he saw that I was not dead after all,
and so we finally married. Thus ends my story, one that went from darkness
to the brightest light of joy and the greatest of bliss.
PINOCCHIO
As retold from the novel Adventures Of Pinocchio by Carlo Lorenzini
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Many years ago a carpenter named Geppetto lived in Italy. He
had no children and was very lonely. So one day he made a
puppet and named it Pinocchio. One night in bed he said he
wished Pinocchio was a real boy. A fairy heard this.
Suddenly, Pinocchio came alive. He could walk and talk.
Hace muchos anos un carpintero nombrado Geppetto
(Dyepetto) vivio en Italia. El no tuvo ningun nino y fue muy
solo. Por lo tanto un dia hizo una marioneta y la nombro
Pinocchio. Una noche en cama dijo que quiso que Pinocchio
fue un chico verdadero. Una hada oyo esto. Repentinamente,
Pinocchio llego a ser vivo. Pudo caminar y hablar.
The fairy said, “Geppetto, now you can be happy.” Geppetto
was very happy although sometimes Pinocchio was
mischevious. He decided to send Pinochio to school, but on the
way Mr. Fox stopped him and said, “Don’t go to school!
Instead come with me and my friends. We will have some real
fun!”
La hada dijo "Geppetto, ahora usted puede ser feliz."
Geppetto fue muy feliz aunque Pinocchio fue a veces atravieso.
Decidio a enviar Pinochio a escuela, pero Sr. Zorro lo paro y
dijo "No vaya a la escuela! En lugar de eso vente conmigo y
mis amigos. Tendremos un poco de diversion verdadera!"
Soon Mr Fox and his other friends sold Pinocchio for gold.
They took Pinocchio to a big stagecoach pulled by six sad
donkeys. Two big men put Pinocchio in it with many other
boys including a leader named Mischievious.
Pronto el Senor Zorro y sus otros amigos vendieron Pinocchio
para oro. Llevaron Pinocchio a una diligencia grande tirada
por seis burros tristes. Dos hombres grandes pusieron
Pinocchio adentro con muchos otros chicos incluyendo un lider
nombrado el Atravieso.
The coach took the boys across a river to the Island of Fun.
Every day the boys and Pinocchio played, and they ate a lot of
candy and ice cream. They broke windows and destroyed
furniture. They thought this was a lot of fun.
El coche llevo los chicos a traves de un rio a la Isla de
Diversion. Cada dia los chicos y Pinocchio jugaban, y comian
muchos dulces y helado. Rompian ventanas y destruian
muebles. Pensaban que este era mucho divertido.
One day Pinocchio saw the boy named Mischievious had begun
to grow long ears and tails. He became a donkey! Two big
men came and got him. “Now we can sell him to the man who
has a salt mine. He must work hard all his life.” Pinocchio
also grew long ears and a tail.
Un dia Pinocchio vio que el chico nombrado el Atravieso habia
comenzado a crecer orejas y colas largas. El llego a ser un
burro! Dos hombres grandes vinieron y lo conseguieron.
"Ahora podemos venderlo al hombre que tiene una mina de
sal. El tiene que trabajar duro toda su vida." Pinocchio
tambien crecio orejas largas y una cola.
The men tried to capture Pinocchio but he ran, jumped in the
river and swam away. He returned to Geppetto’s small house,
but Geppetto was gone. Pinocchio went to other places and
had many adventures. One day he came to Geppetto’s house
again.
Los hombres trataron de capturar aPinocchio pero corrio,
salto en el río y nado lejos. Volvio a la casa pequena de
Geppetto, pero Geppetto habia ido. Pinocchio fue a otros
lugares y tuvo muchas aventuras. Un dia vino a la casa de
Geppetto otra vez.
This time Geppetto was there but he did not know who
Pinocchio was because Pinocchio had the ears and tail of a
donkey. “Father! Father! Help me, please! I’m Pinocchio!
I’m your son! May I come home and live with you again? I
promise I will go to school. I’ll behave!”
Esta vez Geppetto estuvo alli pero no supo quien fue Pinocchio
porque Pinocchio tuvo las orejas y la cola de un burro.
"Padre! Padre! Ayudeme, por favor! Soy Pinocchio! Soy
su hijo! Puedo yo venir a casa y vivir con usted otra vez?
Prometo que ire a escuela. Voy a comportarme bien!"
Geppetto said, “Yes, now I know who you are, and you can be
my son again. You are ugly now but I still love you, my son!”
Then the fairy suddenly came and removed the donkey ears
and tail from Pinocchio. He was a real boy!
Geppetto dijo "Si, ahora se quien ere eres, y tu puedes ser mi
hijo de nuevo. Tu eres feo ahora pero todavia te amo, mi
hijo!" Luego la hada vino repentinamente y quito las orejas y
cola de burro de Pinocchio. El fue un chico verdadero!
PINOCCHIO WORDFIND
Pinocchio, Geppeto, Italy, puppet, fairy, happy, coach, candy,
broke, furniture, salt mine, capture, swam, donkey, promise,
behave, suddenly, removed
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LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Collodi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Perrault
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marionette
THE RABBIT’S EARS
LOS OREJAS DEL CONEJO
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Courtesy of wikipedia.org.
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Many years ago in Tehuantepec, Mexico, the rabbit went
before the throne of the Fire God who asked "What do you
want, Rabbit?" Rabbit answered, "I want to become bigger."
The Fire God smiled, "Okay, but you must do three things."
Rabbit frowned, "What must I do?" The Fire God answered,
"You must kill a jaguar, an alligator and a monkey."
Hace muchos anos en Tehuantepec, México, el conejo fue antes
del trono del Dios de Fuego quien pidio "Que quieres,
Conejo?" Conejo contesto, "Quiero a usted me hace mas
grande." El Dios de Fuego sonrio, "Oke, pero tu tienes que
hacer tres cosas." El conejo fruncio el ceno, "que tengo que
hacer yo?" El Dios de Fuego contesto "Tu tienes que matar a
un jaguar, un cocodrilo y a un chango."
Rabbit agreed. When he met the jaguar the wind was blowing
hard and he told the jaguar "This wind is dangerous. I would
like to tie you to a tree, and you can tie me to a tree too!"
Jaguar agreed, but when Rabbit tied him to the tree, Rabbit
killed him. Rabbit later saw Alligator who said "I will eat
you, Rabbit!"
Conejo consentio. Cuando se encontro con el jaguar el viento
estuvo soplando duramente y dijo al jaguar "Este viento es
peligroso. Quisiera atarle a un arbol, y usted puede atarme a
un arbol tambien!" El jaguar consentio, pero cuando el conejo
lo ato al arbol, el conejo lo mato. El conejo vio mas tarde al
cocodrilo que le dijo a el, "Yo te comera, a ti, Conejo!"
Rabbit answered, "Okay, but first let's dance!" While they
danced, Rabbit killed Alligator. He cut the leather skin off
alligator and walked until he met Monkey who asked "Where
you going, Rabbit?" Rabbit answered, "To a party. Come with
me!" Monkey did. They walked a long time. Finally monkey
became tired. He slept, and Rabbit killed him.
El conejo contesto, "Oke, pero permite que nos bailamos al
primero!" Mientras que se bailaban, el conejo mato al
cocodrilo. Corto la piel de cuero del cocodrilo y camino hasta
que el se encontro con Chango quien pregunto "Adonde vas,
Conejo?" Conejo contesto, "A una fiesta. Venga conmigo!"
Chango lo hizo. Caminaban un rato largo. Finalmente el
chango llego a ser cansado. Durmio, y el conejo le mato a el.
Rabbit returned to the Fire God. "Make me big now, fire
god!" The Fire God laughed, "you are small but very smart,
Rabbit. If I make you big you will kill all the other animals.
But I will make you happy. Look! You now have big ears!"
And this is why all rabbits now have big ears. How can we
apply this story to humans?
El conejo regreso al Dios de Fuego. "Hagame grande ahora,
Dios de Fuego!" El Dios de Fuego reyo, "tu eres chiquito pero
muy inteligente, Conejo. Si te hago grande tu mataras al resto
de los animales. Pero te hare feliz. ¡Mira! Tu ahora tienes
oidos grandes!" Y esta es la razon para que todos los conejos
ahora tienen oidos grandes. Como podemos aplicar esta
historia a los humanos?
Spotted and black jaguars – courtesy of
wikipedia.org
RABBIT’S EARS WORDFIND
Tehuantepec, rabbit, Fire God, throne, bigger, smiled, jaguar,
was blowing, he told, this wind, is dangerous, I would like, to
tie you, agreed, alligator, leather skin, they danced, he met
Monkey, they walked, finally, he slept, laughed, very smart
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RABBIT’S EARS CRYPTOGRAMS
Tehuantepec, rabbit, Fire God, throne, bigger, smiled, jaguar,
was blowing, he told, this wind, is dangerous, I would like, to
tie you, agreed, alligator, leather skin, they danced, he met
Monkey, they walked, finally, he slept, laughed, very smart
Letters
Numbers
LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_religion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehuantepec_Jackrabbit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehuantepec
http://flickr.com/search/?q=Tehuantepec
Rabbit’s Ears is a folktale told in southern Mexico and other
lands of the Maya. The name of the Fire God is Jun Raqan or
Huracan from which has come the English word hurricane.
Huracan was actually the god of fire, wind, and storms.
According to the Maya he also caused a great flood after
humans had angered him and the other gods. He had one leg
and there was a serpent where his other leg should have been.
He had a long nose and carried a torch holder or ax head
which went through a mirror on his forehead. In the Maya
language his name means One Legged.
ROOSTER'S GOOD
EXCUSE
Cat photo from pdphoto.org; Rooster photo from usda.gov
Copyright 2007
By Mason Emerson
Animal Kingdom is a beautiful land near the important city of
Guanajuato in central Mexico. One day there many years ago
a large black cat became very hungry. He decided to hunt for
food, and that evening he caught a rooster. The rooster
crowed very loudly, “Don’t eat me, Mr. Big Cat! You have no
reason to eat me!”
El Reino Animal es un pais hermosa cerca de la ciudad
importante de Guanajuato en Mexico central. Un dia alli hace
muchos anos un gato negro grande llego a tener mucho
hambre. Decidio a buscar alimento, y esa tarde capturo a un
gallo. El gallo canto muy ruidosamente, "No me comes, Sr.
Gato Grande! Usted no tiene ninguna razon para comerme!"
The big cat thought about why he should eat the rooster then
finally said "Well, I'll eat you because you crow and crow
really loudly every night. That wakes people up! They never
can get enough sleep because of you."
El gato grande penso para que el debe comer al gallo entonces
finalmente dijo "Bien, yo te comera porque tu cantas y cantas
verdaderamente ruidosamente cada noche. ¡Eso despierta a la
gente! Ellos nunca pueden obtener bastante sueno debido a
ti."
Courtesy of usda.gov
The rooster crowed in defense, "But that helps them, Mr. Big
Cat! They wake up and go to work on time. See, there is no
good reason for you to eat me!"
El gallo canto en defensa, "pero ese las ayuda a ellas, Sr. Gato
Grande! Ellos se despiertan y van a trabajar en preciso. Vea,
no hay ninguna buena razon para comerme!"
The big cat frowned. Finally he said, "Maybe that is true, Mr.
Rooster, and I'm sure you have lots of good excuses for
anything bad I could say about you. However, I am very, very
hungry!"
El gato grande fruncio el ceno. Finalmente dijo, "tal vez eso es
verdad, Sr. Gallo, y yo soy seguro que tu tienes muchas buenas
excusas para cualquiera cosa mala yo podria decir de ti. Sin
embargo, tengo mucho, mucho hambre!"
Courtesy of pdphoto.org
And then the big cat began to eat up the rooster, saying when
he did so, "Sometimes even the best of excuses do not work!"
Do you also have a lot of good excuses when you do not do
things?
Y entonces el gato grande comenzo a comer al gallo, diciendo
cuando el lo hizo asi, "A veces aun el mejor de excusas no tiene
exito!" Tienen ustedes tambien muchas excusas buenas
cuando ustedes no hacen cosas?
NOTE: This folktale is retold here with the different setting of
Guanajuato, Mexico. It is from the Cat And The Rooster
which came from Aesop’s fables.
THE MADMAN:
HIS PARABLES AND POEMS
By Kahlil Gibran
photos from wikipedia.org
Kahlil Gibran
Author Kahlil Gibran arrived in the United States at age twelve. He had been born
in northern Lebanon in the Christian Maronite town of Bsharri, and his mother’s
father had been a Maronite Catholic priest. In America he learned English, became
an artist and a writer whose works later influenced many other people including the
Beatles. His first writings including The Madman (1918) were in Arabic. His
greatest book out of many is considered to be The Prophet (1923). He lived January
6, 1883 to April 10, 1931, and you can learn more about him at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalil_Gibran
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You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long
before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my
masks were stolen,--the seven masks I have fashioned and worn in seven
lives,--I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, "Thieves,
thieves, the cursed thieves."
Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of
me.
And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top
cried, "He is a madman." I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed
my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed
my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and
I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, "Blessed,
blessed are the thieves who stole my masks."
Thus I became a madman.
And I have found both freedom of loneliness and the safety from being
understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.
But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe
from another thief.
God
In the ancient days, when the first quiver of speech came to my lips,
I ascended the holy mountain and spoke unto God, saying, "Master,
I am thy slave. Thy hidden will is my law and I shall obey thee
for ever more."
But God made no answer, and like a mighty tempest passed away.
And after a thousand years I ascended the holy mountain and again
spoke unto God, saying, "Creator, I am thy creation. Out of clay
hast thou fashioned me and to thee I owe mine all."
And God made no answer, but like a thousand swift wings passed
away.
And after a thousand years I climbed the holy mountain and spoke
unto God again, saying, "Father, I am thy son. In pity and love
thou hast given me birth, and through love and worship I shall
inherit thy kingdom."
And God made no answer, and like the mist that veils the distant
hills he passed away.
And after a thousand years I climbed the sacred mountain and gain
spoke unto God, saying, "My God, my aim and my fulfillment; I am
thy yesterday and thou are my tomorrow. I am thy root in the earth
and thou art my flower in the sky, and together we grow before the
face of the sun."
Then God leaned over me, and in my ears whispered words of
sweetness, and even as the sea that enfoldeth a brook that runneth down
to her, he enfolded me.
And when I descended to the valleys and the plains God was there
also.
My Friend
My friend, I am not what I seem. Seeming is but a garment I wear--a
care-woven garment that protects me from thy questionings and thee
from my negligence.
The "I" in me, my friend, dwells in the house of silence, and
therein it shall remain for ever more, unperceived, unapproachable.
I would not have thee believe in what I say nor trust in what I
do--for my words are naught but thy own thoughts in sound and my
deeds thy own hopes in action.
When thou sayest, "The wind bloweth eastward," I say, "Aye it doth
blow eastward"; for I would not have thee know that my mind doth
not dwell upon the wind but upon the sea.
Thou canst not understand my seafaring thoughts, nor would I have
thee understand. I would be at sea alone.
When it is day with thee, my friend, it is night with me; yet even
then I speak of the noontide that dances upon the hills and of
the purple shadow that steals its way across the valley; for thou
canst not hear the songs of my darkness nor see my wings beating
against the stars--and I fain would not have thee hear or see. I
would be with night alone.
When thou ascendest to thy Heaven I descend to my Hell--even then
thou callest to me across the unbridgeable gulf, "My companion, my
comrade," and I call back to thee, "My comrade, my companion"--for
I would not have thee see my Hell. The flame would burn thy eyesight
and the smoke would crowd thy nostrils. And I love my Hell too
well to have thee visit it. I would be in Hell alone.
Thou lovest Truth and Beauty and Righteousness; and I for thy sake
say it is well and seemly to love these things. But in my heart
I laught at thy love. Yet I would not have thee see my laughter.
I would laugh alone.
My friend, thou art good and cautious and wise; nay, thou art
perfect--and I, too, speak with thee wisely and cautiously. And
yet I am mad. But I mask my madness. I would be mad alone.
My friend, thou art not my friend, but how shall I make thee
understand? My path is not thy path, yet together we walk, hand
in hand.
The Scarecrow
Once I said to a scarecrow, "You must be tired of standing in this
lonely field."
And he said, "The joy of scaring is a deep and lasting one, and I
never tire of it."
Said I, after a minute of thought, "It is true; for I too have
known that joy."
Said he, "Only those who are stuffed with straw can know it."
Then I left him, not knowing whether he had complimented or belittled
me.
A year passed, during which the scarecrow turned philosopher.
And when I passed by him again I saw two crows building a nest
under his hat.
The Sleep-Walkers
In the town where I was born lived a woman and her daughter, who
walked in their sleep.
One night, while silence enfolded the world, the woman and her
daughter, walking, yet asleep, met in their mist-veiled garden.
And the mother spoke, and she said: "At last, at last, my enemy!
You by whom my youth was destroyed--who have built up your life
upon the ruins of mine! Would I could kill you!"
And the daughter spoke, and she said: "O hateful woman, selfish
and old! Who stand between my freer self and me! Who would have
my life an echo of your own faded life! Would you were dead!"
At that moment a cock crew, and both women awoke. The mother said
gently, "Is that you, darling?" And the daughter answered gently,
"Yes, dear."
The Wise Dog
One day there passed by a company of cats a wise dog.
And as he came near and saw that they were very intent and heeded
him not, he stopped.
Then there arose in the midst of the company a large, grave cat and
looked upon them and said, "Brethren, pray ye; and when ye have
prayed again and yet again, nothing doubting, verily then it shall
rain mice."
And when the dog heard this he laughed in his heart and turned from
them saying, "O blind and foolish cats, has it not been written and
have I not known and my fathers before me, that that which raineth
for prayer and faith and supplication is not mice but bones."
The Two Hermits
Upon a lonely mountain, there lived two hermits who worshipped God
and loved one another.
Now these two hermits had one earthen bowl, and this was their only
possession.
One day an evil spirit entered into the heart of the older hermit
and he came to the younger and said, "It is long that we have
lived together. The time has come for us to part. Let us divide
our possessions."
Then the younger hermit was saddened and he said, "It grieves
me, Brother, that thou shouldst leave me. But if thou must needs
go, so be it," and he brought the earthen bowl and gave it to him
saying, "We cannot divide it, Brother, let it be thine."
Then the older hermit said, "Charity I will not accept. I will take
nothing but mine own. It must be divided."
And the younger one said, "If the bowl be broken, of what use would
it be to thee or to me? If it be thy pleasure let us rather cast a lot."
But the older hermit said again, "I will have but justice and mine
own, and I will not trust justice and mine own to vain chance. The
bowl must be divided."
Then the younger hermit could reason no further and he said, "If
it be indeed thy will, and if even so thou wouldst have it let us
now break the bowl."
But the face of the older hermit grew exceedingly dark, and he
cried, "O thou cursed coward, thou wouldst not fight."
On Giving And Taking
Once there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles. And one
day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: "Friend, my son's
garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the
temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?"
And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned discourse
on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he should go to
the temple.
The Seven Selves
In the stillest hour of the night, as I lay half asleep, my seven
selves sat together and thus conversed in whisper:
First Self: Here, in this madman, I have dwelt all these years,
with naught to do but renew his pain by day and recreate his sorrow
by night. I can bear my fate no longer, and now I rebel.
Second Self: Yours is a better lot than mine, brother, for it is
given to me to be this madman's joyous self. I laugh his laughter
and sing his happy hours, and with thrice winged feet I dance
his brighter thoughts. It is I that would rebel against my weary
existence.
Third Self: And what of me, the love-ridden self, the flaming brand
of wild passion and fantastic desires? It is I the love-sick self
who would rebel against this madman.
Fourth Self: I, amongst you all, am the most miserable, for naught
was given me but odious hatred and destructive loathing. It is
I, the tempest-like self, the one born in the black caves of Hell,
who would protest against serving this madman.
Fifth Self: Nay, it is I, the thinking self, the fanciful self,
the self of hunger and thirst, the one doomed to wander without
rest in search of unknown things and things not yet created; it is
I, not you, who would rebel.
Sixth Self: And I, the working self, the pitiful labourer, who,
with patient hands, and longing eyes, fashion the days into images
and give the formless elements new and eternal forms--it is I, the
solitary one, who would rebel against this restless madman.
Seventh Self: How strange that you all would rebel against this
man, because each and every one of you has a preordained fate to
fulfill. Ah! could I but be like one of you, a self with a determined
lot! But I have none, I am the do-nothing self, the one who sits
in the dumb, empty nowhere and nowhen, while you are busy recreating life. Is it you or I, neighbours, who should rebel?
When the seventh self thus spake the other six selves looked with
pity upon him but said nothing more; and as the night grew deeper
one after the other went to sleep enfolded with a new and happy
submission.
But the seventh self remained watching and gazing at nothingness,
which is behind all things.
War
One night a feat was held in the palace, and there came a man and
prostrated himself before the prince, and all the feasters looked
upon him; and they saw that one of his eyes was out and that
the empty socket bled. And the prince inquired of him, "What has
befallen you?" And the man replied, "O prince, I am by profession
a thief, and this night, because there was no moon, I went to rob
the money-changer's shop, and as I climbed in through the window
I made a mistake and entered the weaver's shop, and in the dark I
ran into the weaver's loom and my eye was plucked out. And now,
O prince, I ask for justice upon the weaver."
Then the prince sent for the weaver and he came, and it was decreed
that one of his eyes should be plucked out.
"O prince," said the weaver, "the decree is just. It is right that
one of my eyes be taken. And yet, alas! both are necessary to me
in order that I may see the two sides of the cloth that I weave.
But I have a neighbour, a cobbler, who has also two eyes, and in
his trade both eyes are not necessary."
Then the prince sent for the cobbler. And he came. And they took
out one of the cobbler's two eyes.
And justice was satisfied.
The Fox
A fox looked at his shadow at sunrise and said, "I will have
a camel for lunch today." And all morning he went about looking
for camels. But at noon he saw his shadow again--and he said, "A
mouse will do."
The Wise King
Once there ruled in the distant city of Wirani a king who was both
mighty and wise. And he was feared for his might and loved for
his wisdom.
Now, in the heart of that city was a well, whose water was cool and
crystalline, from which all the inhabitants drank, even the king
and his courtiers; for there was no other well.
One night when all were asleep, a witch entered the city, and poured
seven drops of strange liquid into the well, and said, "From this
hour he who drinks this water shall become mad."
Next morning all the inhabitants, save the king and his lord
chamberlain, drank from the well and became mad, even as the witch
had foretold.
And during that day the people in the narrow streets and in the
market places did naught but whisper to one another, "The king is
mad. Our king and his lord chamberlain have lost their reason.
Surely we cannot be ruled by a mad king. We must dethrone him."
That evening the king ordered a golden goblet to be filled from the
well. And when it was brought to him he drank deeply, and gave it
to his lord chamberlain to drink.
And there was great rejoicing in that distant city of Wirani,
because its king and its lord chamberlain had regained their reason.
Ambition
Three men met at a tavern table. One was a weaver, another a
carpenter and the third a ploughman.
Said the weaver, "I sold a fine linen shroud today for two pieces
of gold. Let us have all the wine we want."
"And I," said the carpenter, "I sold my best coffin. We will have
a great roast with the wine."
"I only dug a grave," said the ploughman, "but my patron paid me
double. Let us have honey cakes too."
And all that evening the tavern was busy, for they called often
for wine and meat and cakes. And they were merry.
And the host rubbed his hands and smiled at his wife; for his guests
were spending freely.
When they left the moon was high, and they walked along the road
singing and shouting together.
The host and his wife stood in the tavern door and looked after
them.
"Ah!" said the wife, "these gentlemen! So freehanded and so gay!
If only they could bring us such luck every day! Then our son need
not be a tavern-keeper and work so hard. We could educate him,
and he could become a priest."
The New Pleasure
Last night I invented a new pleasure, and as I was giving it the
first trial an angel and a devil came rushing toward my house. They
met at my door and fought with each other over my newly created
pleasure; the one crying, "It is a sin!"--the other, "It is a
virtue!"
The Other Language
Three days after I was born, as I lay in my silken cradle, gazing
with astonished dismay on the new world round about me, my mother
spoke to the wet-nurse, saying, "How does my child?"
And the wet-nurse answered, "He does well, Madame, I have fed him
three times; and never before have I seen a babe so young yet so
gay."
And I was indignant; and I cried, "It is not true, mother; for
my bed is hard, and the milk I have sucked is bitter to my mouth,
and the odour of the breast is foul in my nostrils, and I am most
miserable."
But my mother did not understand, nor did the nurse; for the language
I spoke was that of the world from which I came.
And on the twenty-first day of my life, as I was being christened,
the priest said to my mother, "You should indeed by happy, Madame,
that your son was born a Christian."
And I was surprised,--and I said to the priest, "Then your mother
in Heaven should be unhappy, for you were not born a Christian."
But the priest too did not understand my language.
And after seven moons, one day a soothsayer looked at me, and he
said to my mother, "Your son will be a statesman and a great leader
of men."
But I cried out,--"That is a false prophet; for I shall be a
musician, and naught but a musician shall I be."
But even at that age my language was not understood--and great was
my astonishment.
And after three and thirty years, during which my mother, and the
nurse, and the priest have all died, (the shadow of God be upon
their spirits) the soothsayer still lives. And yesterday I met him
near the gates of the temple; and while we were talking together
he said, "I have always known you would become a great musician.
Even in your infancy I prophesied and foretold your future."
And I believed him--for now I too have forgotten the language of
that other world.
The Pomegranate
Once when I was living in the heart of a pomegranate, I heard a seed
saying, "Someday I shall become a tree, and the wind will sing in
my branches, and the sun will dance on my leaves, and I shall be
strong and beautiful through all the seasons."
Then another seed spoke and said, "When I was as young as you, I
too held such views; but now that I can weigh and measure things,
I see that my hopes were vain."
And a third seed spoke also, "I see in us nothing that promises so
great a future."
And a fourth said, "But what a mockery our life would be, without
a greater future!"
Said a fifth, "Why dispute what we shall be, when we know not even
what we are."
But a sixth replied, "Whatever we are, that we shall continue to
be."
And a seventh said, "I have such a clear idea how everything will
be, but I cannot put it into words."
Then an eight spoke--and a ninth--and a tenth--and then many--until
all were speaking, and I could distinguish nothing for the many
voices.
And so I moved that very day into the heart of a quince, where the
seeds are few and almost silent.
The Two Cages
In my father's garden there are two cages. In one is a lion, which
my father's slaves brought from the desert of Ninavah; in the other
is a songless sparrow.
Every day at dawn the sparrow calls to the lion, "Good morrow to
thee, brother prisoner."
The Three Ants
Three ants met on the nose of a man who was asleep in the sun. And
after they had saluted one another, each according to the custom
of his tribe, they stood there conversing.
The first ant said, "These hills and plains are the most barren I
have known. I have searched all day for a grain of some sort, and
there is none to be found."
Said the second ant, "I too have found nothing, though I have
visited every nook and glade. This is, I believe, what my people
call the soft, moving land where nothing grows."
Then the third ant raised his head and said, "My friends, we are
standing now on the nose of the Supreme Ant, the mighty and infinite
Ant, whose body is so great that we cannot see it, whose shadow
is so vast that we cannot trace it, whose voice is so loud that we
cannot hear it; and He is omnipresent."
When the third ant spoke thus the other ants looked at each other
and laughed.
At that moment the man moved and in his sleep raised his hand and
scratched his nose, and the three ants were crushed.
The Grave-Digger
Once, as I was burying one of my dead selves, the grave-digger came
by and said to me, "Of all those who come here to bury, you alone
I like."
Said I, "You please me exceedingly, but why do you like me?"
"Because," said he, "They come weeping and go weeping--you only
come laughing and go laughing."
On the Steps of the Temple
Yestereve, on the marble steps of the Temple, I saw a woman sitting
between two men. One side of her face was pale, the other was
blushing.
The Blessed City
In my youth I was told that in a certain city every one lived according to
the Scriptures.
And I said, "I will seek that city and the blessedness thereof."
And it was far. And I made great provision for my journey. And
after forty days I beheld the city and on the forty-first day I
entered into it.
And lo! the whole company of the inhabitants had each but a single
eye and but one hand. And I was astonished and said to myself,
"Shall they of this so holy city have but one eye and one hand?"
then I saw that they too were astonished, for they were marveling
greatly at my two hands and my two eyes. And as they were speaking
together I inquired of them saying, "Is this indeed the Blessed
City, where each man lives according to the Scriptures?" And they
said, "Yes, this is that city."
"And what," said I, "hath befallen you, and where are your right
eyes and your right hands?"
And all the people were moved. And they said, "Come thou and see."
And they took me to the temple in the midst of the city. and in
the temple I saw a heap of hands and eyes. All withered. Then said
I, "Alas! what conqueror hath committed this cruelty upon you?"
And there went a murmur amongst them. And one of their elders
stood forth and said, "This doing is of ourselves. God hath made
us conquerors over the evil that was in us."
And he led me to a high altar, and all the people followed. And
he showed me above the altar an inscription graven, and I read:
"If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee;
for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,
and not that the whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy
right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee; for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Then I understood. And I turned about to all the people and cried,
"Hath no man or woman among you two eyes or two hands?"
And they answered me saying, "No, not one. There is none whole save
such as are yet too young to read the Scripture and to understand
its commandment."
And when we had come out of the temple, I straightway left that
Blessed City; for I was not too young, and I could read the scripture.
The Good God and the Evil God
The Good God and the Evil God met on the mountain top.
The Good God said, "Good day to you, brother."
The Evil God did not answer.
And the Good God said, "You are in a bad humour today."
"Yes," said the Evil God, "for of late I have been often mistaken
for you, called by your name, and treated as if I were you, and it
ill-pleases me."
And the Good God said, "But I too have been mistaken for you and
called by your name."
The Evil God walked away curing the stupidity of man.
Defeat
Defeat, my Defeat, my solitude and my aloofness;
You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs,
And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory.
Defeat, my Defeat, my self-knowledge and my defiance,
Through you I know that I am yet young and swift of foot
And not to be trapped by withering laurels.
And in you I have found aloneness
And the joy of being shunned and scorned.
Defeat, my Defeat, my shining sword and shield,
In your eyes I have read
That to be enthroned is to be enslaved,
and to be understood is to be leveled down,
And to be grasped is but to reach one's fullness
and like a ripe fruit to fall and be consumed.
Defeat, my Defeat, my bold companion,
You shall hear my songs and my cries an my silences,
And none but you shall speak to me of the beating of wings,
And urging of seas,
And of mountains that burn in the night,
And you alone shall climb my steep and rocky soul.
Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage,
You and I shall laugh together with the storm,
And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us,
And we shall stand in the sun with a will,
And we shall be dangerous.
Night and the Madman
"I am like thee, O, Night, dark and naked; I walk on the flaming
path which is above my day-dreams, and whenever my foot touches
earth a giant oak tree comes forth."
"Nay, thou art not like me, O, Madman, for thou still lookest
backward to see how large a foot-print thou leavest on the sand."
"I am like thee, O, Night, silent and deep; and in the heart of
my loneliness lies a Goddess in child-bed; and in him who is being
born Heaven touches Hell."
"Nay, thou art not like me, O, Madman, for thou shudderest yet
before pain, and the song of the abyss terrifies thee."
"I am like thee, O, Night, wild and terrible; for my ears are crowded
with cries of conquered nations and sighs for forgotten lands."
"Nay, thou art not like me, O, Madman, for thou still takest thy
little-self for a comrade, and with thy monster-self thou canst
not be friend."
"I am like thee, O, Night, cruel and awful; for my bosom is lit
by burning ships at sea, and my lips are wet with blood of slain
warriors."
"Nay, thou art not like me, O, Madman; for the desire for a
sister-spirit is yet upon thee, and thou has not become a low unto
thyself."
"I am like thee, O, Night, joyous and glad; for he who dwells in
my shadow is now drunk with virgin wine, and she who follows me is
sinning mirthfully."
"Nay, thou art not like me, O, Madman, for thy soul is wrapped in
the veil of seven folds and thou holdest not they heart in thine
hand."
"I am like thee, O, Night, patient and passionate; for in my breast
a thousand dead lovers are buried in shrouds of withered kisses."
"Yea, Madman, art thou like me? Art thou like me? And canst thou
ride the tempest as a steed, and grasp the lightning as a sword?"
"Like thee, O, Night, like thee, mighty and high, and my throne is
built upon heaps of fallen Gods; and before me too pass the days
to kiss the hem of my garment but never to gaze at my face."
"Art thou like me, child of my darkest heart? And dost thou think
my untamed thoughts and speak my vast language?"
"Yea, we are twin brothers, O, Night; for thou revealest space and
I reveal my soul."
Faces
I have seen a face with a thousand countenances, and a face that
was but a single countenance as if held in a mould.
I have seen a face whose sheen I could look through to the ugliness
beneath, and a face whose sheen I had to lift to see how beautiful
it was.
I have seen an old face much lined with nothing, and a smooth face
in which all things were graven.
I know faces, because I look through the fabric my own eye weaves,
and behold the reality beneath.
The Greater Sea
My soul and I went to the great sea to bathe. And when we reached
the shore, we went about looking for a hidden and lonely place.
But as we walked, we saw a man sitting on a grey rock taking pinches
of salt from a bag and throwing them into the sea.
"This is the pessimist," said my soul, "Let us leave this place.
We cannot bathe here."
We walked on until we reached an inlet. There we saw, standing
on a white rock, a man holding a bejeweled box, from which he took
sugar and threw it into the sea.
"And this is the optimist," said my soul, "And he too must not see
our naked bodies.
Further on we walked. And on a beach we saw a man picking up dead
fish and tenderly putting them back into the water.
"And we cannot bathe before him," said my soul. "He is the humane
philanthropist."
And we passed on.
Then we came where we saw a man tracing his shadow on the sand.
Great waves came and erased it. But he went on tracing it again
and again.
"He is the mystic," said my soul, "Let us leave him."
And we walked on, till in a quiet cover we saw a man scooping up
the foam and putting it into an alabaster bowl.
"He is the idealist," said my soul, "Surely he must not see our
nudity."
And on we walked. Suddenly we heard a voice crying, "This is the
sea. This is the deep sea. This is the vast and mighty sea."
And when we reached the voice it was a man whose back was turned
to the sea, and at his ear he held a shell, listening to its murmur.
And my soul said, "Let us pass on. He is the realist, who turns
his back on the whole he cannot grasp, and busies himself with a
fragment."
So we passed on. And in a weedy place among the rocks was a man
with his head buried in the sand. And I said to my soul, "We can
bath here, for he cannot see us."
"Nay," said my soul, "For he is the most deadly of them all. He
is the puritan."
Then a great sadness came over the face of my soul, and into her
voice.
"Let us go hence," she said, "For there is no lonely, hidden place
where we can bathe. I would not have this wind lift my golden hair,
or bare my white bosom in this air, or let the light disclose my
sacred nakedness."
Then we left that sea to seek the Greater Sea.
Crucified
I cried to men, "I would be crucified!"
And they said, "Why should your blood be upon our heads?"
And I answered, "How else shall you be exalted except by crucifying
madmen?"
And they heeded and I was crucified. And the crucifixion appeased
me.
And when I was hanged between earth and heaven they lifted up their
heads to see me. And they were exalted, for their heads had never
before been lifted.
But as they stood looking up at me one called out, "For what art
thou seeking to atone?"
And another cried, "In what cause dost thou sacrifice thyself?"
And a third said, "Thinkest thou with this price to buy world
glory?"
Then said a fourth, "Behold, how he smiles! Can such pain be
forgiven?"
And I answered them all, and said:
"Remember only that I smiled. I do not atone--nor sacrifice--nor
wish for glory; and I have nothing to forgive. I thirsted--and I
besought you to give me my blood to drink. For what is there can
quench a madman's thirst but his own blood? I was dumb--and I
asked wounds of you for mouths. I was imprisoned in your days and
nights--and I sought a door into larger days and nights.
And now I go--as others already crucified have gone. And think not
we are weary of crucifixion. For we must be crucified by larger
and yet larger men, between greater earths and greater heavens."
The Astronomer
In the shadow of the temple my friend and I saw a blind man sitting
alone. And my friend said, "Behold the wisest man of our land."
Then I left my friend and approached the blind man and greeted him.
And we conversed.
After a while I said, "Forgive my question; but since when has thou
been blind?"
"From my birth," he answered.
Said I, "And what path of wisdom followest thou?"
Said he, "I am an astronomer."
Then he placed his hand upon his breast saying, "I watch all these
suns and moons and stars."
The Great Longing
Here I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister the sea.
We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds us together
is deep and strong and strange. Nay, it is deeper than my sister's
depth and stronger than my brother's strength, and stranger than
the strangeness of my madness.
Aeons upon aeons have passed since the first grey dawn made us
visible to one another; and though we have seen the birth and the
fullness and the death of many worlds, we are still eager and young.
We are young and eager and yet we are mateless and unvisited, and
though we lie in unbroken half embrace, we are uncomforted. And
what comfort is there for controlled desire and unspent passion?
Whence shall come the flaming god to warm my sister's bed? And
what she-torrent shall quench my brother's fire? And who is the
woman that shall command my heart?
In the stillness of the night my sister murmurs in her sleep the
fire-god's unknown name, and my brother calls afar upon the cool
and distant goddess. But upon whom I call in my sleep I know not.
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Here I sit between my brother the mountain and my sister the sea.
We three are one in loneliness, and the love that binds us together
is deep and strong and strange.
Said a Blade of Grass
Said a blade of grass to an autumn leaf, "You make such a noise
falling! You scatter all my winter dreams."
Said the leaf indignant, "Low-born and low-dwelling! Songless,
peevish thing! You live not in the upper air and you cannot tell
the sound of singing."
Then the autumn leaf lay down upon the earth and slept. And when
spring came she waked again--and she was a blade of grass.
And when it was autumn and her winter sleep was upon her, and
above her through all the air the leaves were falling, she muttered
to herself, "O these autumn leaves! They make such noise! They
scatter all my winter dreams."
The Eye
Said the Eye one day, "I see beyond these valleys a mountain veiled
with blue mist. Is it not beautiful?"
The Ear listened, and after listening intently awhile, said, "But
where is any mountain? I do not hear it."
Then the Hand spoke and said, "I am trying in vain to feel it or
touch it, and I can find no mountain."
And the Nose said, "There is no mountain, I cannot smell it."
Then the Eye turned the other way, and they all began to talk together
about the Eye's strange delusion. And they said, "Something must
be the matter with the Eye."
The Two Learned Men
Once there lived in the ancient city of Afkar two learned men who
hated and belittled each other's learning. For one of them denied
the existence of the gods and the other was a believer.
One day the two met in the marketplace, and amidst their followers
they began to dispute and to argue about the existence or the
non-existence of the gods. And after hours of contention they
parted.
That evening the unbeliever went to the temple and prostrated himself
before the altar and prayed the gods to forgive his wayward past.
And the same hour the other learned man, he who had upheld the
gods, burned his sacred books. For he had become an unbeliever.
When My Sorrow Was Born
When my Sorrow was born I nursed it with care, and watched over it
with loving tenderness.
And my Sorrow grew like all living things, strong and beautiful
and full of wondrous delights.
And we loved one another, my Sorrow and I, and we loved the world
about us; for Sorrow had a kindly heart and mine was kindly with
Sorrow.
And when we conversed, my Sorrow and I, our days were winged and
our nights were girdled with dreams; for Sorrow had an eloquent
tongue, and mine was eloquent with Sorrow.
And when we sang together, my Sorrow and I, our neighbors sat at
their windows and listened; for our songs were deep as the sea and
our melodies were full of strange memories.
And when we walked together, my Sorrow and I, people gazed at us
with gentle eyes and whispered in words of exceeding sweetness.
And there were those who looked with envy upon us, for Sorrow was
a noble thing and I was proud with Sorrow.
But my Sorrow died, like all living things, and alone I am left to
muse and ponder.
And now when I speak my words fall heavily upon my ears.
And when I sing my songs my neighbours come not to listen.
And when I walk the streets no one looks at me.
Only in my sleep I hear voices saying in pity, "See, there lies
the man whose Sorrow is dead."
And When My Joy Was Born
And when my Joy was born, I held it in my arms and stood on the
house-top shouting, "Come ye, my neighbours, come and see, for Joy
this day is born unto me. Come and behold this gladsome thing that
laugheth in the sun."
But none of my neighbours came to look upon my Joy, and great was
my astonishment.
And every day for seven moons I proclaimed my Joy from the
house-top--and yet no one heeded me. And my Joy and I were alone,
unsought and unvisited.
Then my Joy grew pale and weary because no other heart but mine
held its loveliness and no other lips kissed its lips.
Then my Joy died of isolation.
And now I only remember my dead Joy in remembering my dead
Sorrow.
But memory is an autumn leaf that murmurs a while in the wind and
then is heard no more.
"The Perfect World"
God of lost souls, thou who are lost amongst the gods, hear me:
Gentle Destiny that watchest over us, mad, wandering spirits, hear
me:
I dwell in the midst of a perfect race, I the most imperfect.
I, a human chaos, a nebula of confused elements, I move amongst
finished worlds--peoples of complete laws and pure order, whose
thoughts are assorted, whose dreams are arranged, and whose visions
are enrolled and registered.
Their virtues, O God, are measured, their sins are weighed, and
even the countless things that pass in the dim twilight of neither
sin nor virtue are recorded and catalogued.
Here days and night are divided into seasons of conduct and governed
by rules of blameless accuracy.
To eat, to drink, to sleep, to cover one's nudity, and then to be
weary in due time.
To work, to play, to sing, to dance, and then to lie still when
the clock strikes the hour.
To think thus, to feel thus much, and then to cease thinking and
feeling when a certain star rises above yonder horizon.
To rob a neighbor with a smile, to bestow gifts with a graceful
wave of the hand, to praise prudently, to blame cautiously, to
destroy a sound with a word, to burn a body with a breath, and then
to wash the hands when the day's work is done.
To love according to an established order, to entertain one's best
self in a preconceived manner, to worship the gods becomingly,
to intrigue the devils artfully--and then to forget all as though
memory were dead.
To fancy with a motive, to contemplate with consideration, to be
happy sweetly, to suffer nobly--and then to empty the cup so that
tomorrow may fill it again.
All these things, O God, are conceived with forethought, born with
determination, nursed with exactness, governed by rules, directed
by reason, and then slain and buried after a prescribed method.
And even their silent graves that lie within the human soul are
marked and numbered.
It is a perfect world, a world of consummate excellence, a world of
supreme wonders, the ripest fruit in God's garden, the master-thought
of the universe.
But why should I be here, O God, I a green seed of unfulfilled
passion, a mad tempest that seeketh neither east nor west, a
bewildered fragment from a burnt planet?
Why am I here, O God of lost souls, thou who art lost amongst the
gods?