| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Peter Pan by James M. Barrie: pretended to be frightened at their own shadows, little witting
that so soon shadows would close in upon them, from whom they
would shrink in real fear. So uproariously gay was the dance,
and how they buffeted each other on the bed and out of it! It
was a pillow fight rather than a dance, and when it was finished,
the pillows insisted on one bout more, like partners who know
that they may never meet again. The stories they told, before it
was time for Wendy's good-night story! Even Slightly tried to
tell a story that night, but the beginning was so fearfully dull
that it appalled not only the others but himself, and he said happily:
"Yes, it is a dull beginning. I say, let us pretend that it is
Peter Pan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Two Poets by Honore de Balzac: With this notion in his head, he tried to find out whether David had
any money with him; he wanted to be paid something on account. The old
man's inquisitiveness roused his son's distrust; David remained close
buttoned up to the chin.
Next day, old Sechard made the apprentice move all his own household
stuff up into the attic until such time as an empty market cart could
take it out on the return journey into the country; and David entered
into possession of three bare, unfurnished rooms on the day that saw
him installed in the printing-house, without one sou wherewith to pay
his men's wages. When he asked his father, as a partner, to contribute
his share towards the working expenses, the old man pretended not to
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maitre Cornelius by Honore de Balzac: lady! my beautiful sovereign! oh, how she has suffered! Marie, let
yourself say but two words, or we are lost!"
"What will become of us?" she murmured. Then, seeing on the dark wall
a picture of the Virgin, on which the light from the lamp was falling,
she cried out:--
"Holy Mother of God, give us counsel!"
"To-night," said the young man, "I shall be with you in your room."
"How?" she asked naively.
They were in such great peril that their tenderest words were devoid
of love.
"This evening," he replied, "I shall offer myself as apprentice to
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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 Koran: therein.' He will reward them for their attribution; verily, He is
wise and knowing.
Losers are they who kill their children foolishly, without
knowledge, and who prohibit what God has bestowed upon them, forging a
lie against God; they have erred and are not guided.
He it is who brought forth gardens with trailed and untrailed vines,
and the palms and corn land, with various food, and olives, and
pomegranates, alike and unlike. Eat from the fruit thereof whene'er it
fruits, and bring the dues thereof on the day of harvest, and be not
extravagant; verily, He loves not the extravagant.
Of cattle are there some to ride on and to spread. Eat of what God
The Koran |
