| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: those who stand about a deathbed, what fearful sights should we not
see? Money is always the motive-spring of the schemes elaborated, of
all the plans that are made and the plots that are woven about it! Let
us leave these details, nauseating in the nature of them; but perhaps
they may have given you some insight into all that this husband and
wife endured; perhaps too they may unveil much that is passing in
secret in other houses.
"For two months the Comte de Restaud lay on his bed, alone, and
resigned to his fate. Mortal disease was slowly sapping the strength
of mind and body. Unaccountable and grotesque sick fancies preyed upon
him; he would not suffer them to set his room in order, no one could
Gobseck |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum: "Oh, yes, indeed," answered the Daemon. "I am even now repenting that
I assisted in your capture. Of course it is too late to remedy the
evil that has been done; but repentance, you know, can come only after
an evil thought or deed, for in the beginning there is nothing to
repent of."
"So I understand," said Santa Claus. "Those who avoid evil need never
visit your cave."
"As a rule, that is true," replied the Daemon; "yet you, who have done
no evil, are about to visit my cave at once; for to prove that I sincerely
regret my share in your capture I am going to permit you to escape."
This speech greatly surprised the prisoner, until he reflected that it
A Kidnapped Santa Claus |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll: They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
They threatened its life with a railway-share;
They charmed it with smiles and soap.
And the Banker, inspired with a courage so new
It was matter for general remark,
Rushed madly ahead and was lost to their view
In his zeal to discover the Snark
But while he was seeking with thimbles and care,
A Bandersnatch swiftly drew nigh
And grabbed at the Banker, who shrieked in despair,
The Hunting of the Snark |
