Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 21:12:36 -0700 From: "Michael V." To: childwrite CC: win@thebestweb.com Well you wanted it, here it is Dr. Wenger and group. I'm sending this story as an attachment to this email. It's not finished, and I'm certain it could use a lot of work. but I decided to throw it out there for review anyway. If any of you are not able to extract it or can't read it because it is in MS-Word format please let me know. I tried importing it directly into the email body but it looked horrible the line formating was hideous to say the least. I also have a bunch of notes I made while in the planning stage that could give us more ideas, but I'll leave that for later. --mike ===================================================== Eddie Wills stood in the door watching him. Watching the old man doing what he always did. Doing one of the things that made the towns people frown disapprovingly. One of the things that made him out of the ordinary. The old man was staring at the wall of all things. Strange. This of course was exactly the sort of thing that gave them an excuse to avoid him, and talk behind his back. He didn't seem to care that much though. He had his own agenda, and ignored their negativity. The old mans name was Zephan. Zephan Otho. Eddie had known about him for years. Heard the stories, and the rumors. Some were nice tall tales others were, not so nice. This only made Eddie curious and so he decieded that he would get to know this fascinating person. Every trip to Zephans work shop was an enlightening adventure. He made and possesed the most incredible items. Tools, books, scrolls, and many inventions and other items that, well who knew what they did. Zephan said the most incredible things at times as well. Observations and principles that, after thinking about them, seemed so totally obvious, but for some reason Eddie had never consciously realized and understood them. He was always quoting somebody. "Zephan!", Eddie said a little too loudly. "Ohh!", Zephan nearly jumped out of his chair. The old man turned around, "Young master Wills!", he said glad to see Eddie, but still recovering. "It's so good to see you." Eddie and Zephan approached each other, met in the middle of the room and hugged. "It's good to see you too Zephan.", Eddie said. "Umm Zephan," Eddie hesitated. "Yes Eddie, what is it?", Zephan asked. "You were over there staring at the wall. What were you doing?" "Ahh that well Eddie...I was looking for inspiration. You see when I feel stuck, while working on a project, one of the methods that I use to get unstuck is just relax and observe. I reach out my senses, and let my imagination go. I look, listen, smell, touch, and just let my imagination go where it will. After awhile something new and usefull comes to me. You should try it sometime." "Well," Eddie said, "what were you looking at on the wall?" "Oh yes that. Well I was watching the shadows and stains on the wall, and the light as it flickered up against it.", said Zephan. Fascinating thought Eddie. He always learned something new when he came to the workshop. "You know...they will talk", he said refering to the other villagers. Zephan just shrugged and walked to one of his work benches. "Eddie let them talk, the map is not the territory as my old associate Korzybski used to say." Eddie just sort of stared and knodded agreement, not really understanding maps have to do with anything. "When the critics come visit me, like you do, then I will be concerned with what `they' have to say," said Zephan. "I'm glad you are here. Could I have your help with one of my projects?" Eddie perked up. He was always glad to help Zephan. It was hard work, but it was worth the price to see what the inventor had come up with. "Most certainly," he said. They went to the back of the work shop towards the back door. Zephan unlocked it and they moved into a much larger room that reminded Eddie of the inside of a barn. He looked around at the beams that held up the structure, what might have pens for animals, but none inside. There was even straw on the floor. Judging by the smell it had never been used though. "Now, Eddie, take a look at this." said Zephan. He directed Eddies attention to the things directly ahead of them. Eddie looked and saw a very big piece of what looked like cloth with ropes leading to a very large wooden box about as tall as a man plus half, and about as long and wide as two tall men. It resembled a horse carriage but larger. On the ground next to it were two long things that looked like two boat ores angled and attatched to a hub from a wagon wheel. In the back there were what looked like two rudders. "It's nice....umm, what is it?" Eddie asked. "It's a balloon!", Zephan said enthusiastically. "A balloon but much more I've attached this carriage with some modifications. Lets look inside." The inventor rushed over to the side of the carriage and opened up the door. Eddie looked inside. There were two wooden seats, some levers, with a metal wheel in front of one of the seats. In front of the seats were two sets of pedals with chains leading into the floor. "It can fly Eddie, and were going to try it out today!" said Zephan excitedly. Eddie was uncertain. "Fly?" , he thought. "Well...I guess...we can try it." Eddie swallowed hard, but as a knight wasn't willing to back down from a challenge. Maybe it was courage, maybe just pride. [... to be continued ...]