| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce: run the gauntlet. Some favoured hanging, some thought that it
would do him good to appear in a suit of tar and feathers. An old
man, famous for his wisdom and his habit of drooling on his shirt-
front, suggested that they first catch their hare. So the Chairman
appointed a committee to watch for the victim at midnight, and take
him as he should attempt to sneak into town across-lots from the
tamarack swamp. At this point in the proceedings they were
interrupted by the sound of a brass band. Their dishonoured
representative was driving up from the railway station in a coach-
and-four, with music and a banner. A few moments later he entered
the hall, went upon the platform, and said it was the proudest
Fantastic Fables |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Two Brothers by Honore de Balzac: Madame Bridau rushed to meet her beloved son, Colonel Philippe, at
Havre. Once there, she walked every day beyond the round tower built
by Francois I., to look out for the American packet, enduring the
keenest anxieties. Mothers alone know how such sufferings quicken
maternal love. The vessel arrived on a fine morning in October, 1819,
without delay, and having met with no mishap. The sight of a mother
and the air of one's native land produces a certain affect on the
coarsest nature, especially after the miseries of a sea-voyage.
Philippe gave way to a rush of feeling, which made Agathe think to
herself, "Ah! how he loves me!" Alas, the hero loved but one person in
the world, and that person was Colonel Philippe. His misfortunes in
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: and very honestly, adopted an attitude. "Oh, never known him--
I don't pretend THAT!"
I was upset again. "Then you HAVE known him--?"
"Yes indeed, miss, thank God!"
On reflection I accepted this. "You mean that a boy who never is--?"
"Is no boy for ME!"
I held her tighter. "You like them with the spirit to be naughty?"
Then, keeping pace with her answer, "So do I!" I eagerly brought out.
"But not to the degree to contaminate--"
"To contaminate?"--my big word left her at a loss.
I explained it. "To corrupt."
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