| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum: know he was the former King of the Nomes, because of the beast's form
he wore, which disguised him so effectually. So he took courage and
resolved that the Wizard and Dorothy should not defeat his plans.
It was hard to tell, just yet, what the vast assemblage of beasts
thought of the new arrivals. Some glared angrily at them, but more of
them seemed to be curious and wondering. All were interested,
however, and they kept very quiet and listened carefully to all that
was said.
Kiki Aru, who had remained unnoticed in the shadow of the rock, was
at first more alarmed by the coming of the strangers than even Ruggedo
was, and the boy told himself that unless he acted quickly and without
The Magic of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tarzan the Untamed by Edgar Rice Burroughs: huts overcome by stupor, yet Tarzan made no noise that even
a sober man keenly alert might have heard.
He passed around to the entrance of the hut and listened.
From within came no sound, not even the low breathing of
one awake; yet he was sure that the girl had been here and
perhaps was even now, and so he entered, slipping in as
silently as a disembodied spirit. For a moment he stood mo-
tionless just within the entranceway, listening. No, there was
no one here, of that he was sure, but he would investigate.
As his eyes became accustomed to the greater darkness within
the hut an object began to take form that presently outlined
Tarzan the Untamed |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Essays of Travel by Robert Louis Stevenson: and eerier, for I dare say I was a little fevered by my restless
night, and hurried to dress and get downstairs.
You had to pass through the rain, which still fell thick and
resonant, to reach a lavatory on the other side of the court. There
were three basin-stands, and a few crumpled towels and pieces of wet
soap, white and slippery like fish; nor should I forget a looking-
glass and a pair of questionable combs. Another Scots lad was here,
scrubbing his face with a good will. He had been three months in New
York and had not yet found a single job nor earned a single
halfpenny. Up to the present, he also was exactly out of pocket by
the amount of the fare. I began to grow sick at heart for my fellow-
|
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 The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy: of 'ism. However this may be, it will be seen that he was
undoubtedly a somewhat rare kind of gentleman and doctor to have
descended, as from the clouds, upon Little Hintock.
"This is an extraordinary case," he said at last to Winterborne,
after examining South by conversation, look, and touch, and
learning that the craze about the elm was stronger than ever.
"Come down-stairs, and I'll tell you what I think."
They accordingly descended, and the doctor continued, "The tree
must be cut down, or I won't answer for his life."
"'Tis Mrs. Charmond's tree, and I suppose we must get permission?"
said Giles. "If so, as she is gone away, I must speak to her
The Woodlanders |
