| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Essays of Travel by Robert Louis Stevenson: either willing or careful thinkers. Culture is not measured by the
greatness of the field which is covered by our knowledge, but by the
nicety with which we can perceive relations in that field, whether
great or small. Workmen, certainly those who were on board with me,
I found wanting in this quality or habit of the mind. They did not
perceive relations, but leaped to a so-called cause, and thought the
problem settled. Thus the cause of everything in England was the
form of government, and the cure for all evils was, by consequence, a
revolution. It is surprising how many of them said this, and that
none should have had a definite thought in his head as he said it.
Some hated the Church because they disagreed with it; some hated Lord
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum: story of the visit of Bessie Blithesome.
"And now tell me," said he, "shall I give toys to rich children?"
"We of the Forest know nothing of riches," she replied. "It seems to
me that one child is like another child, since they are all made of
the same clay, and that riches are like a gown, which may be put on or
taken away, leaving the child unchanged. But the Fairies are
guardians of mankind, and know mortal children better than I. Let us
call the Fairy Queen."
This was done, and the Queen of the Fairies sat beside them and heard
Claus relate his reasons for thinking the rich children could get
along without his toys, and also what the Nymph had said.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Muse of the Department by Honore de Balzac: one mouthful----" said he, standing still in front of Dinah, and
seeming to yield to an overpowering impulse. "Since you see me here,
it is because my affairs are going to the devil."
"That is enough," said she; "I understand."
There was another pause, during which Lousteau turned away, took out
his handkerchief, and seemed to wipe away a tear.
"How much do you want, Etienne," she went on in motherly tones. "We
are at this moment old comrades; speak to me as you would to--to
Bixiou."
"To save my furniture from vanishing into thin air to-morrow morning
at the auction mart, eighteen hundred francs! To repay my friends, as
The Muse of the Department |
