| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells: already sunk to the level of an animal. But as the saying
goes, I gripped myself with both hands. It grew upon my
mind, once I could face the facts, that terrible as our posi-
tion was, there was as yet no justification for absolute despair.
Our chief chance lay in the possibility of the Martians making
the pit nothing more than a temporary encampment. Or
even if they kept it permanently, they might not consider
it necessary to guard it, and a chance of escape might be
afforded us. I also weighed very carefully the possibility of
our digging a way out in a direction away from the pit,
but the chances of our emerging within sight of some
War of the Worlds |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard: mercy, but I have never seen but one who found it. Ou! the words of
Chaka have come true: I will tell them to you presently, my father.
The white man holds the land, he goes to and fro about his business of
peace where impis ran forth to kill; his children laugh and gather
flowers where men died in blood by hundreds; they bathe in the waters
of the Imbozamo, where once the crocodiles were fed daily with human
flesh; his young men woo the maidens where other maids have kissed the
assegai. It is changed, nothing is the same, and of Chaka are left
only a grave yonder and a name of fear.
Now, after Chaka had come to the Duguza kraal, for a while he sat
quiet, then the old thirst of blood came on him, and he sent his impis
Nada the Lily |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Albert Savarus by Honore de Balzac: deputies though he never can become one. The worthy man wanted to
show his gratitude without loosening his purse-strings by saying
to me, 'Would you care to sit in the Chamber? I can get you
returned as deputy.'
" 'If I ever make up my mind to enter on a political career,'
replied I hypocritically, 'it would be to devote myself to the
Comte, which I love, and where I am appreciated.'
" 'Well,' he said, 'we will persuade you, and through you we shall
have weight in the Chamber, for you will distinguish yourself
there.'
"And so, my beloved angel, say what you will, my perseverance will
Albert Savarus |
