| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Stories From the Old Attic by Robert Harris: chisel to the other tools, as they gazed upon the beautiful statue.
* * *
"My word is as good as my check," said the forger, as he handed over
partial payment and promised to pay the balance later.
* * *
"May you get everything you want," said the philosopher to his enemy,
knowing that his enemy would not recognize his words as a curse.
* * *
"I'll teach this dirt not to muddy my shoes," said the man,
shoveling madly, only soon to discover himself in a pit.
* * *
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Yes. Let's go in," said Dorothy.
So they all got out of the wagon, since the door in the wall was not
big enough for them to drive the Sawhorse and wagon through it.
"You stay here, Toto!" commanded Dorothy, shaking her finger at the
little dog. "You're so careless that you might make a breeze if I
let you inside."
Toto wagged his tail as if disappointed at being left behind; but he
made no effort to follow them. The Wizard unlatched the door, which
opened outward, and they all looked eagerly inside.
Just before the entrance was drawn up a line of tiny soldiers, with
uniforms brightly painted and paper guns upon their shoulders. They
The Emerald City of Oz |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: post of clerk in the arrondissement. This man, not very honorable, and
known to be a spy in the government offices, was never welcomed as he
thought he ought to be by the Thuilliers; but the coldness of his
landlords only made him the more persistent in going to see them. He
was a bachelor and had various vices; he therefore concealed his life
carefully, knowing well how to maintain his position by flattering his
superiors. The justice of peace was much attached to Dutocq. This man,
base as he was, managed, in the end, to make himself tolerated by the
Thuilliers, chiefly by coarse and cringing adulation. He knew the
facts of Thuillier's whole life, his relations with Colleville, and,
above all, with Madame Colleville. One and all they feared his tongue,
|
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 Options by O. Henry: that you've been publishing just because the writers are related to
the Skoopdoodles of Skoopdoodle County. Are you with me?"
"As long as I continue to be the editor of The Rose," said Colonel
Telfair, with dignity, "I shall be its editor. But I desire also to
conform to the wishes of its owners if I can do so conscientiously."
"That's the talk," said Thacker, briskly. "Now, how much of this
stuff I've brought can we get into the January number? We want to
begin right away."
"There is yet space in the January number," said the editor, "for
about eight thousand words, roughly estimated."
"Great!" said Thacker. "It isn't much, but it'll give the readers
Options |
