The Grandfather Clock

[Maelstrom]

Disclaimer: The following is not meant to offend anyone in any way, is not reference to any person, real or fictional, and is purely intended as artful literature to be shared and commented upon. With special consideration for certain lab mice

 

The solemn ticking of a worn grandfather clock, standing majestically in the great hall, echoes across the icy ground. His pendulum, though accurate and resolute, rang as if silent only a few nights ago, under the horde of fireworks ushering in the new year. Every month, when the maid comes by, a layer of dust gets swept from his top, and his glass is cleaned both inside and out. She steps back for a moment afterwards, to admire his old yet graceful presence, and for the rest of that day at least, he feels proud.

 

At the opposite end of the hall stand four pedestals, each with a representation of the elements, cradled in their stone bowls. The fire must be tended every day, to keep its flame alight and healthy. The water gets refreshed once per week, during which time the children are taught about its importance in life. A vibrant array of wild flowers symbolize earth, and are changed out with the seasons, to be planted back into the school garden. The final receptacle is left bare, save for a few marks and scratches, where students have placed all manner of objects, leaving its light grey surface unceremoniously scratched, though not badly.

 

Evening falls once more, as the grandfather clock takes in a deep breath of cold winter air, his oaken body creaking and groaning as he winds up in preparation to "bong" at midnight. His chime resounds the sagacious sentiment that professor Mei pinned to the cork board for Monday's class:

 

As you walk intrepidly into the new year, have the courage to stand by your convictions. Be sincere in each promise you make, whether spoken or otherwise implied. Seek to understand why some of you, like the many beautiful and varied animals and plants of our world, may be loved more easily than others. Learn to appreciate that diversity. Do not take friendship lightly, but give what kindness you can to those who might be less fortunate than yourself.

 

A la. The Tale of Bunny, I'd be interested to hear people's reaction to this. Please leave your thoughts below or send me a PM.

 

Thank you for reading, and happy new year!

[PrimmPriss]

Disclaimer: The following is not meant to offend anyone in any way, is not reference to any person, real or fictional, and is purely intended as artful literature to be shared and commented upon. With special consideration for certain lab mice

 

The solemn ticking of a worn grandfather clock, standing majestically in the great hall, echoes across the icy ground. His pendulum, though accurate and resolute, rang as if silent only a few nights ago, under the horde of fireworks ushering in the new year. Every month, when the maid comes by, a layer of dust gets swept from his top, and his glass is cleaned both inside and out. She steps back for a moment afterwards, to admire his old yet graceful presence, and for the rest of that day at least, he feels proud.

 

At the opposite end of the hall stand four pedestals, each with a representation of the elements, cradled in their stone bowls. The fire must be tended every day, to keep its flame alight and healthy. The water gets refreshed once per week, during which time the children are taught about its importance in life. A vibrant array of wild flowers symbolize earth, and are changed out with the seasons, to be planted back into the school garden. The final receptacle is left bare, save for a few marks and scratches, where students have placed all manner of objects, leaving its light grey surface unceremoniously scratched, though not badly.

 

Evening falls once more, a the grandfather clock takes in a deep breath of cold winter air, his oaken body creaking and groaning as he winds up in preparation to "bong" at midnight. His chime resounds the sagacious sentiment that professor Mei pinned to the cork board for Monday's class:

 

As you walk intrepidly into the new year, have the courage to stand by your convictions. Be sincere in each promise you make, whether spoken or otherwise implied. Seek to understand why some of you, like the many beautiful and varied animals and plants of our world, may be loved more easily than others. Learn to appreciate that diversity. Do not take friendship lightly, but give what kindness you can to those who might be less fortunate than yourself.

 

A la. The Tale of Bunny, I'd be interested to hear people's reaction to this. Please leave your thoughts below or send me a PM.

 

Thank you for reading, and happy new year!

I absolutely LOVED this... and you couldn't be more correct when you said "like the many beautiful and varied animals and plants of our world, may be loved more easily than others", also "Do not take friendship lightly, but give what kindness you can to those who might be less fortunate than yourself".... It Blessed me to read this..... <3

[Guest Twiggy]

Hey Mael,

Firstly I want to tell you I miss you so much in 3DX.

 

I love the grandfather clock story, it has some real messages in there that make you think.

I often try to look at things in that way, I mean the thoughts you must have had as you wrote that story, looking at yourself and the way you think about things, the direction you are trying to find in yourself.

With this and the bunny story you seem to be looking at the good and bad in the world and expressing how you feel about things.

 

What I got from the bunny story is,

We are taught to want more than we have or can get with things that are really not that important.

We put pressure on ourselves to get these things and if we can't get them it often leads to confusion and depression.

That can lead to anxiety and have us do things that can make things worse and often destroy what we have.

 

The message I got from that is, be happy with what you have and can achieve without putting so much pressure on yourself to get what you don't really need.

The cushion was something useful and what he wanted, the egg, is something society pushes on us to want but don't really need.

 

Maybe I am thinking a little or a lot to deeply into it, but hey that is just me, laugh at it if you want but that is what I get out of it.