| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they
are wisest. They are the magi.
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.
The Gift of the Magi |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: previous to departing on any hazardous expedition. The shrine of
the saint was decorated with relics and votive offerings hung up
by these superstitious beings, either to propitiate her favor, or
in gratitude for some signal deliverance in the wilderness. It
was the custom, too, of these devout vagabonds, after leaving the
chapel, to have a grand carouse, in honor of the saint and for
the prosperity of the voyage. In this part of their devotions,
the crew of Mr. Hunt proved themselves by no means deficient.
Indeed, he soon discovered that his recruits, enlisted at
Montreal, were fit to vie with the ragged regiment of Falstaff.
Some were able-bodied, but inexpert; others were expert, but
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from O Pioneers! by Willa Cather: water was deeper and flowed so slowly that it
seemed to sleep in the sun. In this little bay a
single wild duck was swimming and diving and
preening her feathers, disporting herself very
happily in the flickering light and shade. They
sat for a long time, watching the solitary bird
take its pleasure. No living thing had ever
seemed to Alexandra as beautiful as that wild
duck. Emil must have felt about it as she did,
for afterward, when they were at home, he used
sometimes to say, "Sister, you know our duck
O Pioneers! |
