Stuff I've Written
This is a page reserved for anything I write that I want to post. It'll probably consist of essays, short stories, and informational reports, although I'm not sure yet. Comments would be most welcome!
Just Remember
Of Shoes,
Of Ships,
Of Sealing Wax,
Of Cabbages and Kings,
Just Remember
by Mary Hanks
Remember me when I'm forgotten
As someone who you put your trust in
I tried to leave myself behind,
A little piece for just your mind.
We've shared so much in days gone by,
I hope something has caught your eye.
So when we're parted, you'll look back
And see where my footprints crossed your track.
And smile
Of Shoes
Shoes have been in existence for as long as I can remember, and I'm sure much longer. Way back, thousands of years ago people wore sandals on their feet, most likely to protect their feet from sharp stuff on the road. It makes sense, if you think about it. They have been developed to over-priced peices of leather, plastic, textiles, and rubber to become stylish fashion trends. In an age where many people really don't need to wear shoes as much as when they had to walk everywhere, shoes are very popular. In fact, sometimes you can't even get into public places if you're not wearing them! Imagine some poor family with no shoes who want to go into a resteraunt, with their hard-earned money, to buy a little something to eat and rest their tired, hurting feet. They wouldn't be allowed inside without proper footgear! And everybody says it's for hygenic reasons, but if everyone kept their feet on the floor like they were supposed to, it wouldn't make much difference. After all, you aren't required to wear gloves in public places. Of course, you can usually pick up a pair of wispy sandals at a local discount store, but they often fall apart upon leaving the building. Either that or they give you blisters bigger than a breadbox. In the past, though, shoes have been worse. A couple hundred years ago there wasn't a specific shoe for right and left feet. They had squarish tips, so it didn't matter too much. Back then, most shoes, for the average person, anyway, were more like work boots. They were big and heavy, and were made to last for years. Later more fashoinable shoes were developed, for the ladies, and the rest is history. The nobles, however, have always had fancy shoes. I imagine they were studded with jewels, but I'm not an expert, so I'm not sure. The purpose for this message is so you will not only have more well-rounded knowledge, but also so you will appreciate your shoes, and remember that they weren't always as comfortable and stylish as you know them.
Of Ships
Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea there lived a very rich king named King Algorith. He had everything he needed, but always wanted more. He'd go so far as to steal from his own subjects, to the point that they all became very poor. He also had a huge army and navy to protect him.
One day King Algorith was gazing out over the open sea and wondering what lay beyond. He had already conquered the lands all around him, and so he had to find a place to get more gold, jewels, and wealth. So he called all of his royal servants and advisors together to make a speech. He said, at the top of his royal voice, "I have been pondering for a long time the reaches of my domain. I now control all the land around me, for as far as anyone has ever journeyed. However, to be a truly powerful king, I feel I must send a fleet of royal ships out to conquer what is beyond the great ocean, and I must make it my own. Therefore, I order a ship to be built, of the finest wood. It must carry 150 soldiers, and proper provisions for a year. Also, it must be loaded with powerful weapons, so that all civilizations will be destroyed and rebuilt in my name. Go, now, and start building this ship." So all the servants went to proclaim the kings message to the finest shipbuilder.
A few months later the ship was ready to sail. It was fully loaded with all that the king had demanded. The king was beside himself with glee, for this was the day that his final conquest was to set out. If this mission was successful, he would rule the entire earth! A holiday was called for the entire kingdom, and there were celebrations everywhere. After many ceremonies the ship was off. Everybody watched until it was out of sight, and then started waiting.
A year later there was still no news of the ship,ad what it had found. Every day King Algorith would venture out to the port, to watch for any signs of its return. He posted men all around the coast, day and night, with orders to report any sign of the ship's return. One day, a man came running into the castle, in search of the king. "Look! I have found a fragment of the ship!" he cried. Everyone in the castle gathered around to look, and, sure enough, a piece of their precious ship had returned. It was a very sad occasion, though, as it meant that the ship had met with misfortune. The king, in an outrage ordered that another boat be built, bigger and more powerful than the last. However, his rescources had been drained, he didn't have much money left. So instead he ordered another ship to be built, a smaller one with room and supplies enough for only 75 soldiers. They were to plunder other ships and civilizations, collecting more money until there was enough for a ship superior to the first.
The big day finally came for the second ship to set off. Once again, there was much celebration. The king waited for another year for this ship to return, but there was no sign of it. Finally, a man ran into the castle, with a fragment of this ship. The king was outraged! "What!" he cried. "This ship wrecked, too? What am I to do? I am becoming very poor!" Just then King Algorith's royal advisor entered the room. "Build me another ship! Bigger than the other two put together!" commanded the king. "I'm sorry, king," said the advisor. "But you only have enough money to build a small fishing boat." "Build me one, then," said the king, "and make it the best fishing boat around! We will fish for our wealth!"
So the fishing boat was built, and an expert fisherman was hired to manage it. But, alas, the fishing was very bad. King Algorith was in a very sad state. He was reduced almost to rags. Soon he couldn't afford to keep the fisherman hired. One by one, he fired his servants until he had only the majestic castle and the boat. One morning the king walked down to the pier. He got into his boat, with all of the fishing supplies He rowed it out into the open ocean and wet his lines. He noticed the freshness of the air, and the soothing motion of the boat. Later in the day, the king felt a tug at his line. He pulled it in, anxiously awaiting the treasure at the end of the line. It was a small salmon. He put it into his bag and set the line again. In the evening he rowed back to shore, with several fish, and fixed himself dinner.
In this way King Algorith spent the rest of his days, in the peacefulness of the ocean. He became acquainted with all the other fishermen, and on his deathbed he couldn't be distinguished from one of his subjects. But he died a content, though poor, man.
The End
ç 1997
Of Sealing Wax
For a really cool link that has nothing to do with sealing wax, click here.
Of Cabbages and KingsOnce upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away there lived a little girl in a little house, with her little grandmother. This girl's name was Allibeth. She had no one in the world except her dear little old grandmother, as both her parents had died of a terrible disease when she was only a baby. Allibeth and her grandma always got along wonderfully. They helped each other take care of the house and tend the garden, and they were usually very happy. The garden that they grew was a very special garden. The only vegetables that would grow in the little patch of land were cabbages. But they were such delicious cabbages that the girl and her grandma never got tired of them. In the morning the grandma would get up early and boil the cabbage for breakfast. For lunch they would make a cabbage salad, and for dinner Allibeth would make some of her delicious cabbage stew. And they were content. One day, however, before anyone was up there came a loud knock at the door. The two inhabitants were startled awake, and they crept into the kitchen where the door was. Carefully peering through a window they saw three dirty men. "Open up!" they bellowed. "We are the king's gaurdsmen, and we are very hungry! Give us your best food, or the king will be angry at you for your bad hospitality!" So, shaking with fear, Allibeth opened the door and let the men in. "I'm sorry," she said in a tiny voice,"but all we have are cabbages. They are truly excellent cabbages, though, and you are welcome to them." So the men came in, complaining of the small menu, and sat down at the rickety old table. The grandma worked her hardest to boil the cabbages just right, and Allibeth made the best soup she ever had. Timidly they set the food down before the guardsmen and stood back. As the men shoveled their first bites into their mouths peculiar experessions came over their faces. One looked confused, another tried some more, and the third smiled. "This is the best cabbage I've ever tasted!" he said. "Tell me, what is your secret?" The little girl and her grandma didn't know what to say. Finally the grandma stammered "we just grow them in the garden over yonder. You may look if you like." And so the men got up to examine the cabbage patch. They poked the dirt, smelled it, turned the cabbages over in their hands, and dug until the whole garden was a mess. Finally, Allibeth murmered "Please, good sirs, take some of our cabbages back to the castle with you. You may look at them all that you like their. But just leave our little patch alone, for we need it to survive." So the men left, with the added load of cabbages and the earth they were grown in. Allibeth and her grandma spent the rest of the day cleaning up the garden and marvelling at the visit of such high officers. Time passed, until a week since the visit had gone by. Around noon, when a salad was being made for lunch, a horse was heard out in the yard. "Who could it be?" the little girl wondered. A knock came on the door, and the grandmother opened it. A man was standing there, dressed in such finery as they had never seen before. After looking both the girl and the old lady over for a minute, he spoke. "The king has requested you to send all of your best cabbages to him for his daily consumption. He has tasted your cabbages which were brought to him by his guardsmen a week ago, and he was very pleased with the quality. You will be adequately reimbursed for your troubles." Allibeth and her grandmother hardly knew what to say, they were so overjoyed by this new money-making prospect. You see, they had been fairly poor all of their lives and desperately needed a new cottage, and perhaps some furniture. So they assured the stately gent of their utmost consent, and soon he was on his way, promising to send a man tomorrow to pick up enough cabbages to last for a week. The grandma and Allibeth talked the whole day, and laid awake all night, with ideas of what to spend their income on. For awhile, a few weeks, maybe, the arrangement worked out quite well. While the pay wasn't as high as expected, it was enough so that they could put some away to save for a house. However, eventually the cruel king that ruled the lands near the aforesaid king soon got wind of the magnificent cabbages his enemy was feasting upon. He decided to send some of his men to the little hut where the girl and her grandma lived. They came, and insisted that their ruler get as many cabbages as the other king, and he wouldn't be paying nearly as much. Allibeth and her grandma didn't know what to do! Thye finally agreed, out of sheer terror. After all, these men were armed heavily, and were more threatening than the original visitors. So Allibeth and her grandmother weeded, and hoed, and raked, and tended all day long, every day, just to get enough cabbage for the two kings. They rarely had enough for themselves nowadays, and the ones that they did eat were the inferior cabbages. The money they were saving was growing, but very slowly, and it began to seem as if they'd never earn the simple little cottage they had wanted so badly. To add to Allibeth's difficulties, she wasn't sleeping as well as she used to. Every night she'd lie awake in bed, hungry and tired. She became pale and weak. But she didn't let her grandmother know about her declining health, as she didn't want to worry the poor old lady. One night she got out of her bed to go for a walk. She sat down in the garden, with the moonlight shimmering over her left shoulder and lightening her cheek. She started to think about how content she and her grandmother had been before the men had first sampled their cabbages, and a lonely tear slid out of her eye, onto her cheek, and made a little stream to her chin, until it fell off onto a cabbage leaf. All of a sudden, under that very leaf, she saw a misty light. Curiously she peeped under and saw a tiny little elf sitting there. Now, because elves were fairly common back then, more so than today, anyway, she wasn't scared, and she knew how to treat him. For if you are kind to an elf, respect him, and maybe do him a favor or two, he just might grant you a wish or three. But if you are rude and disrespectful elves be very cruel and mischievous. Her grandmother had told her many stories about the elves, and therefore Allibeth knew exactly what to do. "Please, good elf," she said as pleasantly as she could, "may I get you some delightful cabbage juice to drink, or perhaps some boiled cabbage to eat?" The elf looked up warily. It was quite an exquisite creature, with tiny features and a tiny green and red suit of clothing. "Why, that would be very much appreciated," it said. Elves don't like to grant wishes, but they can rarely judge for themselves when a human is just being nice or wants his deepest desires fulfilled. So Allibeth fetched a draught of juice and a small leaf on the tiniest dishes she could find. Then, while the elf munched on his food and sipped his drink she proceeded to compliment him on everything from his pointed cap to his striped stockings. She knew that this elf could do wonders for her and her grandmother, and she didn't want her chance to fly by. The elf soon finished his meal, and requested that she take his dishes away. She took them back to her little house, and then hurried back to the garden. But, alas, the elf was nowhere to be seen! She looked everywhere, but int vain. She went back to bed, finally, and managed to sleep for a few hours until morning. The next night Allibeth made her way out to the garden again, to search for the elf. She looked under every cabbage leaf, twice, but found nothing. The poor little girl was so distressed, that her only hope had gotten away like that, that she started to cry. This time it wasn't one tear, but a multitude, a facefull. Her tears fell amongst the cabbages, and, one by one, little lights popped up everywhere! There were hundreds of little elves in the garden! She ran into the house and brought out all the boiled cabbage she could find, and then cabbage juice. She peeked under each leaf where there was a light, and under each one was a little elf. She then gave every elf some food and drink, and then a compliment or two. Most of them didn't respond, they just put out their little lights and disappeared into the night after they had been fed. One elf, the first one in fact, was a bit more friendly. He sat back and pulled on his whiskers while she talked to him about her problems. Finally, and to Allibeth's delight, he offered her help. Not a wish, though. He told her he'd make both kings stop requesting cabbage, but that her life would become almost exactly as it had been before the king's three guardsmen had visited them. But he also warned her that she could expect a somewhat drastic change, and that she mustn't worry about it at all, and that she should trust him. Allibeth was overjoyed. But she wondered how he could possibly make it all come to pass. And she told none of this to her grandmother. The next day they worked in the garden all day, as usual, so as to have enough of the best cabbage to give to the kings. A man stopped by, as usual, sent by each king, to pick up th cabbage. And they worked hard for another day, and half of the next, without seeing any signs that the elf had done what he had promised. Then, in the afternoon of the second day a messanger came from the first king, dressed in the usually finary. "The king no longer requests your services," he said, politely, yet coldly. "Could I ask why?" asked Allibeth's grandma. "He finds that the cabbage has a somewhat unpleasant flavor, he recited. "It was not only very bad tasting, but it also made him very sick. I have been sent to tell you this, and to tell you that he forbids you to grow cabbage any more as punishment for your impure produce." "Oh, no!" exclaimed Allibeth. "How will we live without our cabbage? Nothing else will grow there!" "That is not my or his majesty's concern. You will be severly punished if his orders are ignored." And with that, the messanger left. Later in the afternoon they received a similar order from the other king. "Whatever will we do without our cabbage?" Allibeth sobbed. "We'll have to move. We can't stay here. Come, lets be rid of that cabbage. I will miss it, 'twas so pleasant tasting," said her grandmother mourningly. Working together, the garden was ripped up and destroyed within and hour. Both were so diheartend that they went to bed. Allibeth, like the past few nights, didn't sleep. But she didn't go out into the garden again. Instead she weeped in bed, and told herself it was all the elf's fault. In the very wee hours of the next day, she fell into a restless slumber. Allibeth was awakened a few hours later by her frantic grandmother. "Allibeth, look outside!" the old woman exclaimed. They rushed to the window and saw the strangest sight! The whole garden was not only grown back completely, but it totally surrounded the house! And, even in the daylight, they saw little lights underneath the cabbage leaves. "We will be killed by the king!" cried Allibeth. Indeed, later that day several men came up to the house. They got as far as the cabbage patch when they were stopped by the elves. Small stones were being flung by strong and well-aimed hands. The men were soon driven away, and were so scared and outraged that they didn't return. In just a few days Allibeth and her grandmother had more cabbages than they could eat in a lifetime, and they were even more delicious than before. Soon, however, they began to notice that the cabbages started to look bigger, and bigger, and bigger every day than ever before. Or was it that they themselves were getting smaller? Soon they were the same height as the friendly little elves, and became friends with them. And every night, instead of curling up in a bed, they lit a tiny light underneath a cabbage leaf, snuggled in,, fell pleasantly asleep, and lived happily ever after.
The End
ç1997
There's no place like Home!
Okay, so I have too much free time.
If you have too much free time, too, waste it here! Get your own Free Time Waster