Lead Igloo | Stories, Philosophy, Opinion
Mill’s On Liberty dedication
To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer, and in part the author, of all that is best in my writings – the friend and wife whose exalted sense of truth and right was my strongest incitement, and whose approbation was my chief reward – I dedicate this volume. Like all [...]
Double five – Extract from The Autumn of the Patriarch
He did not find a moment of rest as he sniffed round about to find the hidden enemy who had armed the bogus leper, for he felt there was someone within reach of his hand, someone that close to his life who knew the hiding place of his honey, who had his eye at the [...]
The swift ants of India – extract from The Histories
Others however of the Indians are on the borders of the city of Caspatyros and the country of Pactyïke, dwelling towards the North of the other Indians; and they have a manner of living nearly the same as that of the Bactrians: these are the most warlike of the Indians, and these are they who [...]
Shells, bones and silence – extract from The Waves
‘Having dropped off satisfied like a child from the breast, I am at liberty now to sink down, deep, into what passes, this omnipresent, general life. (How much, let me note, depends upon trousers; the intelligent head is entirely handicapped by shabby trousers.) One observes curious hesitations at the door of the lift. This way, [...]
The Transformation of Io – extract from Ovid’s Metamorphoses
If only words could have followed her tears she’d have begged him for help;
she’d have told him her hame and described her plight. Two letters were all
that could serve for words, two letters traced by a hoof in the dust,
which revealed her name and her sorry transformation.
‘Woe and alas!’ old Inachus replied, as he tenderly [...]
Another presence – Extract from An Imaginary Life
Almost immediately, in the golden light of a fine autumn day, with the sky broken in rainpools among the drifts of yellow leaves, he is there, standing quite still and taller after two years among the slashed birches. I am filled with joy. He is there. He is real. The others see him too. He [...]
I wish you way more than luck – extract from This is Water
The point here is that I think this is one part of what teaching me how to think is really supposed to mean. To be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my certainties. Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically [...]
The acts of madmen – extract from Has Man a Future?
In negotiations between East and West, both sides, if they were sane, would not regard each other as the enemy, but would view the H-bomb as the common enemy of both. Both East and West have a common interest, which is to escape the common destruction threatened by modern weapons. Both sides are blinded to [...]
The City of Brass part II – extract from The Arabian Nights
The Emir said to his Wazir Talib bin Sahl and to the chief officers about him, “How shall we contrive to enter this city and view its marvels?: haply we shall find therein wherewithal to win the favour of the Commander of the Faithful.” “Allah prolong the Emir’s fortune!” replied Talib, “let us make a [...]
The City of Brass – extract from The Arabian Nights
The Emir Musa asked the Shaykh, “What is yonder vast blackness and its twin fires?”; and the guide answered, “Rejoice O Emir, for this is the City of Brass, as it is described in the Book of Hidden Treasures which I have by me. Its walls are of black stone and it hath two towers [...]