| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: 'How is it possible to bridge such a gulf?'
" 'Have you many children, sir?' Gobseck asked gravely.
"The Count winced at the question; it was as if the old money-lender,
like an experienced physician, had put his finger at once on the sore
spot. The Comtesse's husband did not reply.
" 'Well,' said Gobseck, taking the pained silence for answer, 'I know
your story by heart. The woman is a fiend, but perhaps you love her
still; I can well believe it; she made an impression on me. Perhaps,
too, you would rather save your fortune, and keep it for one or two of
your children? Well, fling yourself into the whirlpool of society,
lose that fortune at play, come to Gobseck pretty often. The world
Gobseck |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Betty Zane by Zane Grey: going to Fort Pitt, or some other place down the river."
"Ha! Ha! Well, I know she rides that pony pretty hard," said Colonel Zane,
with his hearty laugh. "I'll tell you, Clarke, we have some riders here in the
settlement. Have you heard of Major McColloch's leap over the hill?"
"I have heard it mentioned, and I would like to hear the story," responded
Alfred. "I am fond of horses, and think I can ride a little myself. I am
afraid I shall be compelled to change my mind."
"That is a fine animal you rode from Fort Pitt," remarked the Major. "I would
like to own him."
"Come, draw your chairs up and he'll listen to Isaac's story," said Colonel
Zane.
Betty Zane |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum: with it!"
The servants were a little discouraged, but soon they brought in a
great tray containing two dozen nicely roasted quail on toast.
"Well, well!" said the horse, now thoroughly provoked. "Do you take
me for a weasel? How stupid and ignorant you are, in the Land of Oz,
and what dreadful things you feed upon! Is there nothing that is
decent to eat in this palace?"
The trembling servants sent for the Royal Steward, who came in haste
and said:
"What would your Highness like for dinner?"
"Highness!" repeated Jim, who was unused to such titles.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis: "is the house that Jackson built. Dr. Julius Jack-
son--OLD Doctor Jackson, the man with an idea!
The idea made all the money you smell around here."
"What idea?"
"The idea--the glorious humanitarian and
philanthropic idea--of taking the kinks and curls
out of the hair of the Afro-American brother,"
says Doctor Kirby, "at so much per kink."
This Doctor Jackson, he says, sells what he
calls Anti-Curl to the niggers. It is to straighten
out their hair so it will look like white people's
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