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in the Table of Contents to the left to read each story. |
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_____Written
in 1993, “The Magic Mirror" is a collection of twelve allegorical
tales. Each story started with a problem or situation I experienced
that challenged me and relentlessly cried out for expression. In my
world, there is no medium capable of capturing the power of feelings
and emotions. Rather than remain in a prison of words, I came to the
realization that I could place my problems in the hands of characters
and situations outside myself. I could use the passion for expression
I possessed within as fuel. In doing so, I would have to attempt to
remove the egotistical need to be understood, a task I always find
difficult. The task proved to be very therapeutic, as the characters
soon became companions with whom I could identify; fellow passengers
on the journey.
____ The power of story telling came
clear to me on two separate occasions related to these stories. The
first came very shortly after their completion after I had given a
copy to a friend. A “kindred spirit,” I thought that perhaps
she would be able to understand (See? I can’t seem to get around
it). I received no feedback at all about the stories until months
later. In passing, she commented that her 8-year-old son loved the
stories and often asked her to read them to him at bedtime. My initial
(unexpressed) reaction was one of terror. In my mind, the stories
were problematic; possessing conflicting emotions, turmoil, inner
questioning, hope disguised as fear/fear disguised as hope…
They had plagued me. They were never intended for a child. I feared
I would warp the young lad’s mind. It stands as an indication
that the statements in the introduction are indeed true. Stories possess
the power to meet the reader at any level.
____ The second occasion came very recently.
I had not encountered the stories in many years when I rediscovered
them amongst other papers. I only had a vague recollection of the
details of two of the stories. I had no recollection of any of the
“problems” that seeded the stories. So I was awarded the
surrealistic opportunity to read them anew, as an outsider; someone
else’s story. To this day I do not recall the situations that
gave rise to most of the stories. In a sense, this makes it easier
for me to share them with you. The meanings are truly yours to discover.
Whether you are moved to ponder complex emotions and wrestle with
the perplexities of life or simply roll over in an 8-year-old boy’s
carefree slumber, it’s truly all the same. No matter where you
arrive, in the final analysis, the journey itself is the ultimate
reality. |
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