| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from My Antonia by Willa Cather: who would take care of her. The milk was good for Pavel,
who was often sick, and he could make butter by beating sour
cream with a wooden spoon. Peter was very fond of his cow.
He patted her flanks and talked to her in Russian while he pulled
up her lariat pin and set it in a new place.
After he had shown us his garden, Peter trundled a load of
watermelons up the hill in his wheelbarrow. Pavel was not at home.
He was off somewhere helping to dig a well. The house I thought
very comfortable for two men who were `batching.' Besides the kitchen,
there was a living-room, with a wide double bed built against
the wall, properly made up with blue gingham sheets and pillows.
My Antonia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Betty Zane by Zane Grey: She covered her face and sobbed. Wetzel put his arm round her and drew her to
him until the dark head rested on his shoulder. Thus they stood a moment.
"Don't cry, little one," he said, tenderly. "Don't grieve fer me. My love fer
you has been the only good in my life. It's been happiness to love you. Don't
think of me. I can see you and Alfred in a happy home, surrounded by
bright-eyed children. There'll be a brave lad named fer me, and when I come,
if I ever do, I'll tell him stories, and learn him the secrets of the woods,
and how to shoot, and things I know so well."
"I am so wretched--so miserable. To think I have been so--so blind, and I have
teased you--and--it might have been--only now it's too late," said Betty,
between her sobs.
Betty Zane |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Would you really do that?" asked the Hip-po-gy-raf,
in a disappointed voice.
"We would," they both replied, and the Tin Woodman
added: "The Scarecrow is our friend, and he would be
useless without his straw stuffing. So, as we are
comrades, faithful and true, we will defend our
friend's stuffing against all enemies."
The Hip-po-gy-raf sat down and looked at them
sorrowfully.
"When one has made up his mind to have a meal of
delicious straw, and then finds he can't have it, it is
The Tin Woodman of Oz |
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 Underground City by Jules Verne: the Aberfoyle mines.
One man alone remained by James Starr. This was the overman,
Simon Ford. Near him stood a boy, about fifteen years of age,
who for some years already had been employed down below.
James Starr and Simon Ford knew and esteemed each other well.
"Good-by, Simon," said the engineer.
"Good-by, Mr. Starr," replied the overman, "let me add,
till we meet again!"
"Yes, till we meet again. Ford!" answered James Starr. "You know
that I shall be always glad to see you, and talk over old times."
"I know that, Mr. Starr."
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