| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Young Forester by Zane Grey: stars brighter and larger, and the night wind moaned in the pines. I heard
a coyote bark, a trout splash in the pool, and the hoot of an owl. Then the
sounds and the clear, cold night seemed to fade away.
When Dick roused me the forest was shrouded in gray, cold fog. No time was
lost in getting breakfast, driving in the horses, and packing. Hardly any
words were exchanged. My comrades appeared even soberer than on the day
before. The fog lifted quickly that morning, and soon the sun was shining.
We got under way at once, and took to the trail at a jog-trot. I knew my
horse better and he was more used to me, which made it at least bearable to
both of us. Before long the canyon widened out into the level forest land
thickly studded with magnificent pines. I had again the feeling of awe and
The Young Forester |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: better, you will make a large allowance for his warm heart. My
goodness has consisted in allowing him to feed and clothe and
toil for me when he could ill afford it. If I am now alive, it is to
him I owe it; no man had a kinder friend. You must take good
care of him," I added, laying my hand on his shoulder, "and
keep him in good order, for he needs it."
Pinkerton was much affected by this speech, and so, I fear, was
Mamie. I admit it was a tactless performance. "When you
know our friend a little better," was not happily said; and even
"keep him in good order, for he needs it" might be construed
into matter of offence; but I lay it before you in all confidence of
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: life; and although you lived it feelingly in your own person,
and had every step of conduct burned in by pains and joys
upon your memory, tell me what definite lesson does
experience hand on from youth to manhood, or from both to
age? The settled tenor which first strikes the eye is but
the shadow of a delusion. This is gone; that never truly
was; and you yourself are altered beyond recognition. Times
and men and circumstances change about your changing
character, with a speed of which no earthly hurricane affords
an image. What was the best yesterday, is it still the best
in this changed theatre of a tomorrow? Will your own Past
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