| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: And, indeed, why not? She cast a glance around, and caught a
glimpse of Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, who were still in
pursuit of the butterfly, almost at the other end of the
meadow. It would be the quickest way of rejoining them, to get
upon the white bull's back. She came a step nearer to him
therefore; and--sociable creature that he was--he showed so
much joy at this mark of her confidence, that the child could
not find in her heart to hesitate any longer. Making one bound
(for this little princess was as active as a squirrel), there
sat Europa on the beautiful bull, holding an ivory horn in each
hand, lest she should fall off.
 Tanglewood Tales |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Troll Garden and Selected Stories by Willa Cather: the first of three angry snorts from behind. The motor was running
at a hot, even speed, and passed without turning an inch from its
course. The driver was a stalwart woman who sat at ease in the
front seat and drove her car bareheaded. She left a cloud of dust
and a trail of gasoline behind her. Her tenant threw back his head
and sneezed.
"Whew! I sometimes say I'd as lief be before Mrs. Ericson
as behind her. She does beat all! Nearly seventy, and never lets
another soul touch that car. Puts it into commission herself
every morning, and keeps it tuned up by the hitch-bar all day. I
never stop work for a drink o' water that I don't hear her a-
 The Troll Garden and Selected Stories |