AUREET'S ESSAYS AND STORIES
Of Fantasy and Thieves, 1977
(Segments from the story)
…I got to a crossroad of about six different trails and sank to the ground. My hips were bruised from the weight of the pack. I felt as if I couldn't walk another step… I realized I couldn't stay there… So I picked the smallest least traveled looking trail, hoisted my pack onto my shoulders, and wearily began walking again looking for the first likely clearing to camp in.
About 50 feet down the trail I completely forgot about the oppressing weight of my pack. I had been transferred to another world! It was like walking into a silent, forgotten, rich, green mansion. Branches entwined overhead like long lost lovers meeting. Thick luxurious ivy curtains hid the forest's secrets. A lush velvety moss carpet muffled all sounds to a mere whisper. Long gray beards of Spanish moss reached down to gently caress my face. Only a stray sunbeam maiden danced thru the flickering leaves.
Occasionally a hidden fairy princess burst into song breaking the deep green sound of silent fauna growing. And once or twice I thought I saw a mystical silvery fairy dress, but always it would disappear, teasing me to follow.
I tiptoed along not wishing to disturb this magic place, inhaling deeply as I went the smell of rich damp earth. I felt that surely there must be a lion king, lurking somewhere in the shadows, guarding this secret world from wayward travelers like me.
The sunlight grew dim as I came upon a clearing. Exhausted, returning to reality, I spread my sleeping bag, crawled in, and quickly drifted off to sleep content in dreamland's fantasies.
With the early morning light a sound awoke me. Thru the haze of first awakening I saw masked faces all around me. Startled, I screamed. Who was scared most me or them I don't know, but off they scampered masking thieving bandits of the night.
What a sight met my eyes. It looked as if it had snowed powdered milk overnight. Tiny bright orange pieces of plastic bag, which once held a whole loaf of bread, were scattered everywhere. I couldn't find a single of my favorite puffed rice though I looked… I cried and raged and swore I'd get a gun and shoot those damn raccoons!!
Finally I calmed down enough to repack my ravished pack… All I had left to eat were apples and peanut butter. (I tell you what I never ever want to see is another apple with peanut butter on it. One week is quite enough!!)
Still cursing under my breath I stomped on down the trail. All of a sudden, I pictured in my mind those startled little masked faces sneaking in the night. I started to laugh and laugh. I laughed so hard the tears ran down my face. They had been so cute those cunning little devils and I had been so ineffectually furious.
At least my pack was lighter now. I started out again my spirits rising, wondering what new adventure this day would bring.I think this must change. In my opinion creative accomplishment, tangible self expression, in short, self realization should all be incorporated into the educational system. That's why I want to become an educator. I want to help and encourage children, through development of creativity and self expression, to become happy, creative, productive people. Perhaps eventually I may influence change in the entire system's attitude towards individuality and originality.
I believe that creativity is one of the most important sources of man's enrichment and happiness. Creative thinking is what challenges society, questioning conventional attitudes and inspiring change. I feel this on the whole brings about the betterment of man and his environment.
