I pledge allegience...

[Mercy]

One of my high school history teachers once read us a short story by James Clavell, of Shogun fame, titled The Children's Story (http://home.comcast.net/~llefler/clavell.htm). They, a thinly veiled allusion to the Soviets, have conqured and a new teacher has come to take over the class of an elementary school in Anywhere, USA. The children are frightened by the new situation but the pretty new teacher quickly and deftly sets their young minds at ease. My class talked about it for days and it disturbed a several of my classmates.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten who authored it and have looked for it off and on for several years since. As I am the maven of internet searches, I was determined to find it today and so I have. It is a cautionary tale, set during the Cold War, of the power of words and, more important, the dangers of not truly understanding them. That is something I am sure many of you know is a theme near and dear to my frigid, black heart. I also found that there was a short film made from the story, directed by James Clavell, so for those who like things that make you think, and do not mind some stilted child acting and grainy 80's television capture, I found it on YouTube in three short parts of about 23 minutes in total duration.

The Children's Story, Pt.1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C1IV00LLDQ&feature=related)
The Children's Story, Pt.2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Va0b0tL1M&feature=related)
The Children's Story, Pt.3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojxtz-9vSr8)

-m.

[gdorf]

As I am the maven of internet searches,

This is the truth. I was very impressed when you found the exact engagement ring I had posted.

I'm watching the videos now.

[Mercy]

I was very impressed when you found the exact engagement ring I had posted.
Oh yeah, how did that work out for you? It took a little time to find but not as much as I expected. That designer does some good work.

-m.