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And Another World Within
No, no, don't worry, come on in. As you know, when you see the bonfire or smoke, then I am willing to entertain guests or my house is on fire, heh heh. Pull up a bench and rest your feet. I've got some apples here and some good bread too. Don't be shy.
So, you kids are headed for the city, eh? Great place, it is. I wouldn't want to live there but it's so much better than cities were when I was your age. I expect you're wanting to take your tests now? Well, that's good, everyone should. But just because you find out that you're suited for some wonderful type of job doesn't mean you have to take it. There are so many ways to enjoy life nowadays.
Take me for instance. I live here in this cottage because I want to. I grow my vegetables and herbs and fruit so I can supply my own food. If I want fish for dinner then I walk a few feet and sit by the river with a fishing pole as long as I want. Now that the rivers are clean, there are more fish than anyone could need.
What's that? Oh sure, it's over there, around the back. And you'll find that it's modern too. I mean let's not get silly, not everything should be rustic.
Actually, that shed over there is my workshop. Let me show you what's inside. I think you'll be surprised. Oh sure, let's wait for her to get back.
Ok, so here it is. That's right, it's modern, state of the art machinery in fact. You don't think I carved those benches by hand do you? Really... there's only so much time in a life son, I don't want to spend all of my time making furniture. However, these machines are run by solar power, wind and water power. And they're quiet too.
Well, my dear, I paid for all of this myself. Sure, I could accept the freebies from the government. They're only too happy to give me anything I want. But that wouldn't be fair to everyone else and I enjoy making my own life anyway. That's what I'm telling you about the city. They are fine folks there and we need 'em. The thing is, when I make a chair, it's mine. I don't make chairs for other people. I could, but there's something fine about sitting in a chair you made yourself, at a table that you made and eating a meal that you made yourself.
Ok, you've got a point there. I write books and poetry and such and get money from selling it all. But that's different. If I sell a chair, I don't have the chair anymore. If I sell a story, I still have it and I'd write anyway, even if nobody wanted to read it.
The Revolution? I thought you might get around to that. You've got those bright eyes, ask a lot of questions don't you?
Yes, I was there at the very beginning, helped start it off. We didn't have any idea of what was going to happen. We just knew that we didn't like the way that things were. Back then, they spent more money electing a president than it would take to build the town you grew up in. No, it's not exaggeration, it's true! The incredible waste. You wouldn't believe it. Disposable containers, gasoline powered vehicles, wars.
Not to mention the waste of lives and time even when we weren't killing each other. So many people spent their lives being unhappy, living in a house just like the other houses, wearing the same kind of clothes and then they spent their free time watching mindless programs on their screens.
We knew that just about anyone could be creative if they only knew it was possible so we showed them by example. We learned to write stories and poetry, how to draw and paint and then we published the results. We said "Hey, we didn't know how to do this and then we taught ourselves to do it, and you can do it too." We showed people that they didn't have to be like everyone else.
I remember the first wooden sign that I made. It was for a shoe store and it had a couple of elves on it, making shoes. People liked it and some of them stopped by just to take pictures of it and a lot of them bought shoes too. The owner of the store used to take that sign inside at night so nothing would happen to it. Soon after, I was making signs all day long until I got tired of it and then there were others doing it.
So, that's the kind of thing we did. Little things like that, but things that made the world nicer. We planted a lot of trees too. And then a couple of us started a school and you know what happened after that.
I guess the truth is, we proved that life can be the way you want it to be. Creativity is not hard, it comes easy when you realize it. I guess you made that bracelet on your wrist? It's very nice. In the old days you would be wearing a bracelet made by a machine and it would look like thousands of other bracelets.
Ahh...there are only a few of us left now. Most of them have gone on to other places. If we hadn't decided to shift to the future, we'd be dead too. Even so, out of the 5 who tried it, only 3 of us made it here. I guess the others ended up somewhere else. I just had to see how things turned out. It wasn't all good though. I had no idea that so many people would decide to pass on. That plague wasn't an accident, you know. They teach you that, don't they? When things reach a certain point, things happen. 5 billion people decided to pass on all at the same time. That's got to be a record of some kind. How many times can that have happened in all of the possible worlds? I could go within and find the answer to that but it's a meaningless question.
So there you have it. The ones who wanted to live, lived. And they created. The ones who didn't care, passed on. They just didn't have the spirit to care or were just tired.
I wish you didn't have to leave so soon. You make sure you come back to see me again. What's that? So that's the way it is, I figured you would want that. So, I'll do that right now.
The young men first. Give me your hand son and I'll go within. Hmmm....yes. You are a cheerful soul. I believe that it truly does not matter what specific job you choose as long as you have your good friends and family nearby. So go with it, do what you like and be happy.
Now you, youngster. Well now, what have we? I believe that you will try many things and you will succeed at most. But they will not command all of your abilities and you must eventually do that in which you will feel fulfilled. Worry not, work in the city if you want. Technology is not bad. You should see my study; the best computer terminal you'll ever see.
So young lady, do you not know? Do you not sense the presence of your friend near you? Go within, and look for... Armnel. She will counsel you and you will do great things in your own way.
Last of all, you my dear with the big eyes. You like to help people, don't you? You might try the healing arts, the giving of energy. Such a thing will make you stronger. As you give energy, you receive a limitless supply of your own and will never feel weak. And you will be happy in this or similar pursuits.
Here now, fill your bottles with some good water from my well. There now, ride well and be careful. What do you call those things you ride? Skeeters? Well, they look like broomsticks with saddles
on them. I don't see how you don't fall off of them but that's science I guess. Watch the tree branches and don't be chasing the deer on them.
When you take your tests, tell em you talked to old Don Riley and they won't pressure you to work for them if you don't want. Do what you want and be true to your Self. You have my....Best Wishes.
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