Villagers trekked from the far reaches of the land and those who could not walk were carried – this was the night of Syrots.

The throng gathered shoulder to shoulder, forming a crescent before the blazing fire that rose high into the night sky. Children on shoulders pointed and laughed at the shadows that danced eerily across the faces of those perched precariously on the branch of a nearby tree.

Excited voices dimmed to the crack of orange sparks spat from the glowing fire, zipping the air as earthly comets.  No one took their gaze from the story teller, for soon all will be caught in his web of words. For he is the dreamer, the actor, the poet in stories that have been handed down from one generation to the next.

The story teller is now the writer of books, still forever the actor of words. He can be found in every library, in books tall as the Red Wood, and  pages that await the inquiring mind in words woken from their sleep as children’s itchy fingers seek adventures in stories old and new, answers to questions of how and why? The questions that made you and I sigh.

A library, a place where silence is alive, safe from the busy feet that pound the street, and the clatter of chatter that does not matter, for it has seen the passing of the young and old, in faces like books that are waiting for their story to be told.

Books are so extraordinary, they have the power to transform that which is ordinary to one of amaze, yet more amazing are the lives they have ‘Inspired’.

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    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    2 years ago

    I felt an echo of Fahrenheit 451 (one of my favourites) throughout your story. I imagine it as an aftermath, a place or world where there is room for books and the inspiration they can bring. I adored it.

    Genya Johnson
    Genya Johnson(@genya-johnson)
    2 years ago

    Story telling around the flames of a fire, story teller in the library and the beauty and wonder of the written word. I could imagine our ancestors lighting up the eyes of the little ones with their tales of magic.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Just sometimes, when reading a story, words will jump out at you and remain with you forever… A library, a place where silence is alive… is that sometime. I loved your wonderful world of stories told and to be told, a brilliant read Eric.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Stories have been used to teach and inspire since the beginning, whether verbal, around the fires, in written word, art, music, theatre and, more recently, film. Humans will create, it is something that seems inherent in us. Great story.

    Alan Kemister
    Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
    2 years ago

    Hello Eric, what you say here is so true. Even with the internet and video games and everything else online, kids still love stories and books, either ones they read themselves or ones that are read to them. Really good take on the inspiration theme.

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    Reply to  Alan Kemister
    2 years ago

    You are so right, Alan. No matter how the world changes and what new ways to pass the time are invented, stories will always play a part in a person’s life.

    Alan Kemister
    Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
    Reply to  Katerina Bizirtsaki
    2 years ago

    Sure hope so, otherwise what will I do with my time?

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Eric, this is so descriptive and beautifully told. A library contains so much, people’s hard work, dreams, ideas and of course the memories! I enjoyed reading every word!

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    I see you already thanked me for my comment in your answer to Alan, haha. Anyway, I love the way you describe the magic of words and tales. As you so well describe, they have a power to form a community and a sense of belonging together and this is the way it has been for ages. A great example of what inspiration means.

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    2 years ago

    So true, Eric. I can trace many of the things I am passionate about back to early books I read. Your story is a reminder of our responsibilities as a writer; to entertain and to be thought-provoking. Awesome! Great story 🙂

    Santina Forlenza
    Santina Forlenza(@santina-forlenza)
    2 years ago

    Yes, books are magic. There is pure life inside their pages. We get inspired by true life when we write them; and magic life is what books give back to us. Thanks for your story, Eric. LIKED it.

    Santina Forlenza
    Santina Forlenza(@santina-forlenza)
    Reply to  Eric Radcliffe
    2 years ago

    Yes Eric, without books we are all lost. But to get lost in books, this is nice. And, yes, exchanging comments and feedback within this group is rewarding. It is the first time I am in a group of writers; well I find it cool to talk about writing, books, imagination.

    Dipayan Chakrabarti
    Dipayan Chakrabarti(@dipayan-chakrabarti)
    2 years ago

    The story is nicely crafted and is intended to inspire.

    Dipayan Chakrabarti
    Dipayan Chakrabarti(@dipayan-chakrabarti)
    Reply to  Eric Radcliffe
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome.

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    2 years ago

    Books are so extraordinary indeed! You couldn’t be more right, Eric. Books are the reflection of one’s soul and they can teach us so many things about the world and about life. And stories are what connect each generation, since all humans, no matter which time they come from, have something in common: imagination.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    When I read the title, I was excited to read the content of the story. And when I finished reading it, I said, wow! This story is very good, Eric. Honestly, they are correct; this story is very inspiring and entertaining. I like it so much. Well done.

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