On the Outside Looking In

George thought about where he wanted to go. The Gneiss Mountain seemed too far away. He was tempted to go back to the dam, to admire his work. But he decided on the Herb Garden. He told himself that it was only to get more good plants like the sump grass, which had overcome his headache.

Checkers then paused. "Of course, he really wanted to go the banquet, even though he knew that he was not invited. He was just hoping something would turn up."

He wandered through the bustle of the city to the gate of the garden. Here there were fewer large creatures. The smells were wonderful and indescribable, with George seeing many herbs and flowers that the Gliders have not seen since. George nipped some limeweed, tinflower, and yellow aster, which are very useful medicines.

"I don't have any limeweed, tinflower, or yellow aster with me. Ususally when this story is told, we have some of that. I do have a pill whose main ingredient is sump grass, if you are interested." Benjamin and Mary looked at one of Checkers' green pills while she continued the tale.

But George wandered his way to the center of the garden, to an elevated building, surrounded by a spring. There were lots of little wooden bridges, in the shape of a gentle arch, each with a couple of guards. It was dark. George crept up to a bridge, and smiled at the guards, who did not smile back. He casually wandered over to a patch of whortleberry, where he could stare through the window of the building. As it was dark, he could see into the building easily. He could see the Powers and some creatures at the table, laughing, eating, and having a good time.

The crowd hushed, and he could hear one of the Powers, the same woman who talked to them three days ago. It seemed like an age; he had hope then, and he was now weary and worn from work and disappointment. George stood stupefied and observed the ceremony.

The lady spoke. "And now we come to the group up at the North Park by the Pithom. They did a wonderful job, leaving us with little to do. First, we travelled up a wonderful highway that Geomi built. There was hardly a bump on it. The only event of note was that runaway cask that nearly crashed into the coach. That provided just a touch of excitement on an otherwise uneventful ride up."

The crowd laughed quietly. Ogrili said, "That cask was tough to stop. You really should be more careful with your tools, Geomi. The cask will make a nice souvenier, though."

Geomi flushed, but he knew that this was good-natured kidding. The lady spoke up, "Geomi, you will be guided by me, Shiela. I will help guide you in building tools, engines, and devices, which you seem to have a natural affinity for. There will be much need of your ability in the new world."

"Thank you, my lady. I shall do my best."

"Aldar, would you introduce your protogee?"

"Certainly. I am proud to introduce Edain. He was the one that provided the excellent show. I enjoyed contemplating the sunset on the lake while listening to the songs of the doves and the whippoorwill. The fireflies provided a nice touch. I feel that the flora and fauna of this world will be safe in the hands of he and his descendents." Edain was the forefather of the race of elves and spirits of the forests and meadows.

The next to be introduced was to be the student of Ogrili. His voice boomed. "Adar, I do not know how you withstood the stench of the stables, but I could eat off the floor. I like your spirit. To you I shall give my strength and energy, and the ability to farm and to build great structures." And indeed, Adar, the forefather of ogres, whom you call men, was given his powerful body.

Checkers diplomatically left out a favorite line, about Adar's affinity toward filth and manure. She knew that it would not get an appreciate response from the anglideri.

Shiela then spoke. "Finally, the great Tragami, wisest of us has picked a follower."

The crowd hushed. "Yes. Ethylwhyte has always been hard to control. Not only did Draco groom Ethylwhyte to be presentable to the banquet, but he also was able to use him to help build the bridge as well, when the other creature fell asleep in the Sapphire Pavilion." Draco, in his new form basked contentedly in Tragami's praise. George's jaw dropped. We all worked on that dam! And he had slept no more than anyone else did! "Draco, to you I give the greatest power - the knowledge of various arcane and magical facts. With this, you shall be surrounded in gold, gems, and finery. To you goes the greatest power, but also the greatest responsibility. It is up to you to be a caretaker of the material of the world. And that goes for all of you. Where your heart lies, that is where you are most vulnerable. Geomi's devices, Edain's flora and fauna, Adar's physical power, and Draco's wealth are a blessing and a snare. If you forget that these are but tools to fulfill your responsibilities, your souls will be captured by these, and will eventually whither away."

George reacted by

1. withdrawing from the whortleberry bushes, and fleeing into the gardens.

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