The Crystal Curse

By Robby Bennett

Towards the beginning of time, when humanity was still shiny and new, a fairy lived among the fields of flowers and in her home in the woods. Her people lived on their own watching the humans develop and helping when they could, but being careful to not mingle with them too much. This particular fairy was especially curious, and liked to hide and watch the people, and interact with them on special occasions. They were trying to figure things out and develop the systems of their communities. They would make mistakes and stumble, and sometimes, she would help them get back up.  

One day she noticed that something was different about the humans. They weren’t as cheerful and happy as they normally were, and some of them started not feeling well. It wasn’t long after that they started fighting with one another. The fairy was shocked at this development, and couldn’t believe this was happening. It was such a quick change. The people that were making so much progress now seemed to be completely miserable. 

She started to hear stories of a woman who was to blame. People were saying that she was responsible for this havoc and had released a great curse on mankind. The fairy couldn’t imagine what type of person would want to do this, especially when things were so happy and prosperous. This must surely be one evil woman, thought the fairy. She ventured out into the village to find this person, and see why she would do something like this. 

The fairy eventually found her way to an elegant villa estate, which wasn’t hard to find because of the dark reputation the people had now given it. The fairy had an eerie feeling as she approached the home in the early afternoon. This lovely property seemed to be completely disheveled, as if there was a big party taking place here, during which everyone decided to make a rushed and sudden exit. The fairy made herself invisible and saw her way inside. The inside of the house was even more wrecked than the outside. Furniture was tipped over and vases were broken. She didn’t see anyone inside and the house seemed empty, until she heard a slight weeping noise coming from one of the rooms. The fairy quietly made her way towards it. 

As she strode through the house, around the disarray of furniture, and down the hall, the noise got louder. It was squeaky, sad. and alone. As she approached the open frame of one doorway, she could tell that was the room where the single isolated sound was coming from. As she peeked around to glimpse in, she saw a beautiful woman with golden hoop earrings, alone and crying to herself in a bathtub. This certainly wasn’t the image of an evil woman that she expected. Something else must have happened here. The fairy let off a slight hum. She knew that it was best to ease your way into making your presence known when invisible, to not startle anyone. The woman in the bath took notice. Her weeping ceased momentarily, replaced by the curiosity of the new noise. It was beautiful and seemed to be coming from an unknown source. She looked around to no avail. 

Still humming, the fairy worked in a soft “hello.” The woman looked around even more curious, momentarily forgetting about her apparent distraught. “Is someone there?”, the lonely woman asked. “Yes”, replied the fairy, softly. The young woman looked defeated saying, “I figured this was inevitable. If you’ve come to kill me, please just make it quick. I know that I deserve it.” This piqued the fairy’s curiosity even more. The lady was obviously no evil spinster, so why would she unleash such a terrible plague on her fellow humans? The fairy slowly made herself visible.The woman didn’t seem shocked, as if she had seen enough things to where nothing would surprise her right now. The fairy spared introducing herself, as it was obvious as to who she was, but she immediately inquired about who the young lady was and what had happened here. 

The sad young woman said, “My name is Pandora. I’m responsible for all…this. On my wedding night, I was given a gift. A box.” She pointed across the room to where a beautiful white marble box with gold incrustations was laying on the floor. The seam where the two halves closed shut appeared to be glowing slightly. Pandora continued her explanation, “Despite the box being beautiful and decorative, I was told never to open it, and that if I did, there would be dire consequences.” Who would give such a gift?, thought the fairy. “I’m naturally curious. I love to go exploring and see how the world works. Discovering new hidden spots, flowers, and animals is one of my favorite things. I initially had every intention of never opening the box, wanting to follow the instructions, but I couldn’t imagine why it shouldn’t be opened. Surely it was some sort of elaborate joke, wherein an immaculate gift was really inside. Otherwise, what was the point of even giving it to me? I snuck the box into my bedroom during the wedding party, deciding to crack the lid just the slightest to take a peek. I had no clue what would come flying out of it. The instant I lifted the lid the slightest bit, all these horrible elements came flying out, unleashing a plague on mankind. I’m responsible for all of this. Famine, war, disease, all of it!”

This seemed like a horrible secret plot to the fairy. The young woman was hardly to blame. She herself couldn’t imagine never opening the box. She looked over at it, with the clowning line of the lid. It appeared that something was still inside. Pandora confirmed that she thought something had been caught, trapped there when she closed the lid. The fairy immediately knew that whatever was in there could never be allowed to escape. This box couldn’t be hidden or destroyed, as both of those options would only allow whatever was in there to escape. She thought of an idea. 

She immediately grabbed one of Pandora’s gold hooped earrings and dipped it into the water of her bubble bath, so that a colorful clear film covered the entire inside of the immaculate circle. She took it up to the box, hoping that her crazy plan might work. She couldn’t let this one element get out, whatever it was. She approached the box, earring in hand. Nervously, she slowly reached for the box’s lid, unsure of what could possibly be inside. Her other hand moved the earring with the soap film just in front of the crack. She slowly applied a slight upward pressure, and the moment the lid lifted the tiniest bit, a bright cloud attempted to escape and flew out through the earring, creating a bubble as it passed through. With this unknown evil inside of the bubble, the fairy immediately froze and crystalised it, trapping this last evil plague inside. The clear solid glass orb fell from midair after it had taken a perfect round shape and solidified. The fairy caught it just before it hit the ground. She brought it over to Pandora, and inside, they saw glimpses of the future. What hadn’t escaped when Pandora first opened the box might have potentially been the most dangerous of all the elements: Hope. 

If this had gotten out, people would have been able to see exactly how their futures would play out, with nothing they could do or change about it. This would have been the most terrible curse that could befall mankind. Now, trapped in this glass orb, the view of the future was trapped, but could still be peered at inside this glass ball. Mankind had avoided the culmination of all these horrible elements escaping, but still had to live with and manage the aspects that were already on the loose, separating them from a utopia. Before the fairy left, she dipped the orb into the soapy water and took some of it with her. Infused with it’s magical essence, she thought that she might be able to put it to good use on rare occasions, with bubbles for wishes and insights about the future. She left the house with this dangerous item entrapped in its solid bubble cage, but this was far from the last time that mankind would come into contact with the crystal ball.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Hiding The Rabbit

By Robby Bennett

One evening at dusk, a magician was wandering at the outskirts of a market, looking for that evening’s dinner, and maybe some company…

Out of the nearby woods, a white rabbit came speeding out of the trees. He ran right up to the magician, seeing his blue flowing robes with stars on them. He said to the great wizard, “Sir, I’m being chased by a mighty hunter and his two dogs. Please hide me, I’m afraid that you’re the only one who might understand me and be able to help.”

    Before the wizard could even respond, he heard a rustling and barking coming from the woods. Without hesitation, the wizard put down the bucket he was carrying for the items he would buy at the market, and placed the rabbit gently inside to hide. Not a second later, the great hunter and his two giant dogs came out of the woods in search of the little creature. Looking around, they seemed to have lost it, but his dogs quickly picked up on the scent of the little rabbit. They trailed it along, with it taking them right up to the market until they finally stopped at the magician. 

    Orion, the famous sportsman, instantly recognized the man and held the opinion of him that he was somewhat of a troublemaker and a trickster. “Sir,” said the giant man to the wizard, “I have caught the most exotic game ever to exist. From the rarest and most unattainable deer to monsters that even caused havoc for the gods. This bow, my sword, and these dogs are undefeated in the chase, and it would seem ridiculous that our current prey, a little rabbit, is giving us so much trouble. My hounds seem to believe that he may have approached you.”

The wizard thought about his predicament. He certainly didn’t want any harm to befall the little white bunny, and decided to keep this giant oaf busy for a while until he could come up with a plan. “My, you must be Orion. I’ve heard of your amazing skill as a hunter. That must be quite the bow.” Orion was slightly taken aback. He was used to the flattery bestowed to him from the reputation of his hunt, but he wasn’t sure if the wizard understood his talent. “You are quite correct, sir, my bow is quite a piece of craftsmanship, but it’s only as capable as the hands that hold it and the eye that takes its aim. I’m also just as skilled with my sword, or any sword, for that matter. I’m a master warrior and hunter, you see, and I am attempting to impress my love, Artemis, by bringing her the pelt of this white rabbit for her winter wardrobe.”

“Wow,” said the magi, “You must really care for her. But white in winter? Surely you would want something more colorful. Perhaps some of the fabric of my robes and its many stars. It would surely be more decorative.” The hunter was becoming frustrated. “That’s just the point,” he said, “She is queen and goddess of the hunt. This white pelt would provide her with the perfect camouflage to blend in with the snow for winter.” The hunter had set up the magician just right. 

“Ah, I see! So, you are a more talented hunter, offering the Goddess of hunting your help. Quite noble. I hope she doesn’t take it as an insult. You know, needing your help and all. These gods can be quite emotional.” The hunter hadn’t thought about this. He responded with, “Well, who knows who’s better? I never said that. I just meant to give her a gift that she could use, and I need to get back on his trail. My dogs have sniffed out his scent to this spot.”

“What makes you think that it’s a male rabbit? If you were able to check, why didn’t you just capture it then, either with your sword or your bow?” The magician had to admit, this was starting to become fun. Orion was not amused and was holding back a great fury in order to get back to finding the rabbit. “It could very well be female”, he said, “it would make no difference. Now, have you seen it or not?” This put the magician in an awkward position. He didn’t like to lie and the poor rabbit, who he had given his word to hide without even saying anything, was still hiding in his bucket. “I have seen many rabbits in my time, and quite possibly the one you saw today. But again, are you sure that you wouldn’t rather have my fabric of the stars? It’s quite rare and sure to impress the goddess. It might be just what you’re looking for.”  

“No, I do not want the fabric from your filthy robes! Now where is my rabbit?”, Orion screamed. 

    At this instant, one of Orion’s dogs began to bark at the bucket, indicating to Orion that something might be hiding in there. “What’s in the bucket?”, asked Orion. The magician picked it up and reached in, allowing the rabbit to crawl up the wide sleeve of his robe, “Nothing, you see. I’m hoping to collect my dinner for the evening, and maybe a few other items”, said the magician, now telling the truth since the rabbit wasn’t any longer in the bucket. “I’m tired of these games!”, yelled Orion. “Either you know something, or that rabbit vanished into thin air!” That gave the clever old man an idea. He said, “Yes, that must be exactly what happened. The rabbit must have vanished! They’re known to be very tricky.” At that instant in history, without anyone noticing, the stars in the sky had slightly shifted. Shooting stars typically go by unnoticed, and you must be a very lucky person with fate working in your favor to actually see one. 

The great hunter stormed off infuriated, and desperate to find a new target to hunt that might impress his love, Artemis. The rabbit was so grateful to the magician, as he was now hidden in plain sight in the night sky. It turned out that the great wizard’s sleeve on a robe filled with stars was the perfect hiding spot.

It wasn’t long before Orion figured out what happened. One night, while traveling and tracking his path by the night sky, he noticed a new figure among the constellations. It was that rabbit! And to think that he had refused to take that old man’s robe made of stars. Months went by, and Orion never saw the wizard again, but ever since that time, a magician’s sleeves have been untrustworthy and under constant suspicion. He tried and tried, but couldn’t think of a way to reach the rabbit up among the stars in the night sky.

But one night while Orion was swimming through a lake to catch a fish, Artemis accidentally shot him with an arrow after her jealous twin brother, Apollo, tricked her into using him as a target. Holding him in her arms, Orion asked Artemis for one wish. She said that she would grant any wish he wanted in exchange to be forgiven for this horrible tragedy. Orion asked to be placed among the stars, so that he could spend the afterlife chasing the one animal who managed to escape him. Artemis assurely agreed and with the wind of his last breath, she placed Orion among the stars with his bow, sword, and two dogs to continue their chase for the rabbit. 

Just then, in a far away land, the magician was in another market, trying to find dinner, and noticed the shift in the stars. He looked at his robes and up at the sky and saw Orion chasing his rabbit friend. He knew that the rabbit was fast and would put up a good chase for all of time, but everyone needs a break, and somewhere to hide. So, casting a simple piece of magic, he reached into his bucket, and created a door for the little bunny where he could go when he needed a rest from running from the hunter Orion and his two hounds. As the tradition of magic was passed on through the generations, the magician had taught those who followed him to look out for the rabbit. A bucket was always carried by those in the lineage of that great magician, but as styles and habits changed, so did the bucket, with hats being much more convenient to carry around. Many items have been used as the door that lets the rabbit escape from the stars, where he forever gives the legendary hunter and his dogs a great chase in the sky for eternity.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Dark Cocoon

By Robby Bennett

This is a piece that I wrote earlier in the pandemic. After being sick for two years when I was a kid, I never thought that I would be back here.
—-

I’ve been here before. I know this dark place where the world keeps spinning, but my view stays the same. Time appears to be in flux as life comes to a screeching halt. Plans get pushed or dissolve completely and it feels like all previous preparation was done for naught. But I’ve already been to this place, and seen what a blessing it can be.

There is no denying that anyone who comes here will leave different, but few realize that they can choose to come out for the better when they’re allowed to leave or find the way out. Last time, this dark place set me on a path that I’m still on. In the abyss, you can find a light within yourself to show you who you really are and what you want to light the way.

In this still place, there is no physical pain for me this time. There is no one confused by the situation telling me that I must be the insane one because they aren’t in this place with me. No, but it’s the same place. Only this time, the world has joined me and has been placed here, much to their surprise. I’m not alone here this time and I hope everyone realizes where they are. We’re in a cocoon. And while it might be frustrating or confusing, right now we can ultimately choose what we become when we break free. It is a difficult thing to realize, because, despite the stillness there are still plenty of distractions. But own your metamorphosis and determine what you are transforming into. This place can weigh down on you. It can cause you to break and lose grasp of who you are, let alone who you want to be. This place is doing it to me and I’ve already been here. I never thought that I would have to come back.

But this is a cocoon, a great era of change, and despite all the hardship, triumph is on the other side. Reach within and grab that light. We’ll find the way out when the time is right and look at who we’ve become, what wings we have grown, and what new colors we have taken on. Let’s move forward and get out, but utilize this time and place. Trust me, I’ve been here before.

I’ve been here before. I know this dark place where the world keeps spinning, but my view stays the same. Time appears to be in flux as life comes to a screeching halt. Plans get pushed or dissolve completely and it feels like all previous preparation was done for naught. But I’ve already been to this place, and seen what a blessing it can be.

There is no denying that anyone who comes here will leave different, but few realize that they can choose to come out for the better when they’re allowed to leave or find the way out. Last time, this dark place set me on a path that I’m still on. In the abyss, you can find a light within yourself to show you who you really are and what you want to light the way.

In this still place, there is no physical pain for me this time. There is no one confused by the situation telling me that I must be the insane one because they aren’t in this place with me. No, but it’s the same place. Only this time, the world has joined me and has been placed here, much to their surprise. I’m not alone here this time and I hope everyone realizes where they are. We’re in a cocoon. And while it might be frustrating or confusing, right now we can ultimately choose what we become when we break free. It is a difficult thing to realize, because, despite the stillness there are still plenty of distractions. But own your metamorphosis and determine what you are transforming into. This place can weigh down on you. It can cause you to break and lose grasp of who you are, let alone who you want to be. This place is doing it to me and I’ve already been here. I never thought that I would have to come back.

But this is a cocoon, a great era of change, and despite all the hardship, triumph is on the other side. Reach within and grab that light. We’ll find the way out when the time is right and look at who we’ve become, what wings we have grown, and what new colors we have taken on. Let’s move forward and get out, but utilize this time and place. Trust me, I’ve been here before.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Moon Chase

By Robby Bennett

A young wolf grew up seeing other wolves howl at the moon every night, reveling in its majesty and greatness. This young wolf decided that he was going to do something great and actually catch the moon. At night sometimes he would notice that when the moon wasn’t in its highest position, it would lower itself in the distance. He figured that if he ran after it fast enough, that he would catch it. So, late one night, he began his chase toward the moon as it got lower in the horizon.

He ran and ran across great amounts of land until he found himself deep in a heavy wooded area. He could no longer see the moon through the tree branches, but kept searching because he hadn’t come this far for nothing. He finally approached a clearing where a bright daylight mysteriously appeared. It wasn’t yet time for day. Surely there must still be more nighttime, he hadn’t caught the moon yet. Sure enough, it only appeared to be day in this one clearing.

As he approached, he saw bright waves of light radiating off of a pile of branches and twigs from the trees. These waves of heat were illuminating the darkness and sitting next to this radiant pile were two figures unlike anything the wolf had ever seen. This man and woman were cooking something that smelled delicious to the wolf, he wonder what it could possibly taste like. He never knew that anything could smell so good, but he realized that if he were to stop and maybe sneak some food, he’d surely never catch the moon. At least not tonight, anyway.

He walked toward the scorching pile where the heat and delicious smells were coming from. The two tall animals who only stood on two legs saw him enter their camp site and were startled and a little scared at first. The bigger of the two tried to approach the wolf in an aggressive manner, but the smaller and more elegant one gently pulled him back. She peeled off a small piece of food from the fire and gave it to the wolf. He was reluctant to approach at first, but couldn’t resist. It was the best thing that he had ever eaten, and so warm! He immediately sat down on his haunches, hoping to get more. The two seemingly found this amusing. He spent the rest of the evening with the two people, and when they went to bed, he figured that the least he could do to thank them for the wonderful food was to protect them while they slept…And maybe get more food the next day.

When the people arose the following morning, they seemed amused and happy that the brave young wolf had stayed guard all night and was still there. He spent the day with the people during the bright hours while they hunted for more food. He was naturally a good hunter and helped when he could. After all, the food they made tasted so fantastic, and he wanted more. As the day came to an end and darkness started to approach, the people sure enough started collecting wood and branches, and hit rocks together to make the bright waves of heat where they cooked the food they had caught that day.

But as it got darker, the wolf wondered about the moon. He could hear his relatives howling at the moon in the distance, but deep in this part of the woods, he couldn’t even see it. He’d get back to chasing it eventually. The good smells were starting again.

After he got a belly full of that night’s dinner, the wolf’s new friends started running their fingers through his hair and scratching him all over. This felt amazing to the wolf and even made his leg kick in a funny way at times when they scratched his belly at just the right spot. While the woman was at work on a chore before bedtime in the light of the bright pile, she dropped something. The wolf noticed that it was a white round object. The moon! Had she secretly slipped off and caught the moon just for him? And so easily?

The woman noticed the wolf’s fascination with the object and watched his head follow it as she threw it up and down in her hand. She tossed it to the other side of the clearing, and the wolf chased after it. He picked up the object in his mouth. Was this what the moon tasted like? Had he finally caught it? No, he realized that if anyone had actually caught it, that it was the woman. So, he decided to bring it back to her. To his surprise, she threw it again. He went and got it, and instantly brought it back to her, as she was the one who apparently had been able to pluck it from the sky. The two people found this amusing and the wolf found himself secretly hoping that she would do it again. He liked chasing after the moon. Sure enough, they would throw the moon, and he would go get it and bring it back to them.

Eventually, as time went on, the wolf met the people’s friends and some of his pack joined them. The smells of the food and the warmth of the fire were hard to resist. He showed the other wolves how to fetch the moon when it was thrown across the air, in a mini version of its nighttime travel from one horizon to the next. Everyone thought it was great fun and immediately returned the moon to its rightful owner, with the hope that they’d throw it again. Eventually, the wolf had puppies and they learned to do it as well.

However, one night while fading off to sleep with a full belly, the wolf who was “standing guard” but resting his eyes, noticed that the wind blew apart some tree branches up in the canopy. He saw a white light coming through the leaves and a great bright orb hanging in the sky. The moon! How could it be up there if the people had been throwing it for him? He instantly had a realization. The object he’d been chasing wasn’t the moon, and the people hadn’t caught it either. As he laid there stuffed with amazing food and the warmth of a fire while looking forward to the adventures of the next day with his new human family, he decided that he and the other wolves should just keep chasing the round object and bringing it back to the humans. The people seemed to enjoy it and it was the least they could do to keep getting food. Yes, it was probably for the best that the people never know that they hadn’t actually caught the moon. But the wolves would forever keep playing along.

ROBBY BENNETT
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The New Pharaoh

By Robby Bennett

A long time ago in the seventh dynasty of ancient Egypt, a pharaoh died unexpectedly. Having no heirs, his brother Karnu was the only one left to become ruler of the great land. However, distraught by his brother’s death and not wanting anyone to think that he had anything to do with it, he stated that he would not take the throne. Luckily, his brother’s magi and longtime loyal servant to the family was there.

Imok was a magi who was now on his fourth generation of Pharaohs within this family, having started when Karnu’s grandfather was king, and he had seen what instability could do to a land and its people, and knew that the young man, despite his hesitations, would be a great leader. Upon hearing the young man’s protests, he came up with a plan and responded seemingly in agreement saying, “It’s understandable why you do not want to be Pharaoh. The pressures and demands of leadership are harsh and there is always doubt about the motives of those around you, but surely, young prince, you will sit on the throne for a short period of time in order to aid in the search for a new Pharaoh.”

Karnu agreed that this was logical, and he and the magi spent several weeks searching for another option and weighing different candidates. None of them seemed to be just right, though, and a great celebration was approaching which demanded that the pharaoh host and participate. “Surely you could act as pharaoh and oversee this celebration, and we can get back to finding your replacement once it’s over”, Imok said to the reluctant young king. Karnu agreed and hosted the celebration with much fanfare as the empire celebrated their new king.

After the celebration was over, Karnu was immediately looking for his replacement. It wasn’t much longer before a group of farmers petitioned to see the new pharaoh. He willingly agreed and they informed him that their crops weren’t producing this season and they were worried about how they were going to survive. The old magi saw an opportunity. He made a suggestion saying, “There is need for a new temple in the town, my lord. Perhaps we could hire these men to build it and everyone will be satisfied.” Karnu though this was a superb idea and put the plan into action.

Before he knew it, almost a year had passed and Karnu was still pharaoh. He still wanted to find a replacement, but wasn’t in much of a hurry. To celebrate his first year on the throne, many of the citizens brought him gifts because he had done so much for his people while acting as pharaoh with the old magi by his side, but he still had to find a replacement. One of the gifts was a beautiful gold carving of a sunrise over the desert dunes. It was the most gorgeous thing Karnu had ever seen. He demanded his staff to find who made it and bring them to the palace. Several hours later, his guards returned with an old man and his daughter. Karnu exclaimed that their work was unlike anything he had ever seen and that he would like them to redecorate the whole palace. The duo were thrilled, and Karnu noticed that crafts weren’t the only attractive thing that the craftsman produced, and soon married his daughter.

The empire celebrated their new royal couple, as their queen took her throne. It wouldn’t be for long, though. Karnu still had to find a replacement to take his place as pharaoh. Oh, how devastated his bride would be! Imok could see that his plan was working. It wasn’t long until there was a little prince and princess running around the palace, and the people of the land were as prosperous and happy as they had ever been, and adored their pharaoh. But a great threat was looming from a faraway land. Word soon came that a war party was coming to take over Egypt. This is exactly what Karnu was trying to avoid, and why he didn’t want to be pharaoh!

The old magi, Imok, had seen this happen before, and told the pharaoh that the best kind of victory is one where no battle is fought. Karnu thought about this. How do you win a battle without fighting? He decided to have his wife’s father make the shiniest wall of metal that he could. He gathered everyone from the city and lined them up at the great Nile to meet the oncoming attackers. He stood his people up between the great metal wall and the river. When the opposition approached, they saw what appeared to be the biggest army in the world. They had no idea that such a force could be possible. Little did they know, that due to the reflection of the wall and the river, Egypt’s force appeared to be triple its size. They soon retreated, without ever approaching.

The great pharaoh was celebrated for his clever victory and saving the kingdom. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, Imok the magi passed away after many years of dedication to Egypt. The pharaoh ordered a large service and elaborate funeral for the man who had served him and his family so well. The magi was sent to the afterlife like a pharaoh himself. The entire empire mourned for the loss of their noble servant.

Years went by. The pharaoh’s children were grown and he was still on the thrown. A messenger from a distant part of his kingdom came and informed the great leader that there was a sickness spreading among their village and they needed aid. It had been close to two decades since Karnu’s brother had passed away, leaving him to act as pharaoh. He heard the messenger’s concern and a voice in the back of his mind that sounded like an old magi that he once knew said, “What would a pharaoh do?” After all, Karnu still had to find a replacement.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Egyptian Discovery

Hieroglyphs discovered outside the dwelling of what appears to be an Egyptian woman who either who lived alone or whose husband was away often, apparently show consecutive images of herself, getting slightly smaller in each one, in what roughly translates to a “journey of fitness”. There were also images that depict the various items that she worked into her daily diet next to the Egyptian symbol for money and a phrase that roughly means, “Want to work for yourself and be an in charge female dog?” It’s so great that antiquity has left us relics of this fascinating culture.

…This could very well be the first “pyramid scheme”.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Hyper Hieroglyphs

We are, and always have been, a storytelling culture. Every society, in every part of the world, at every period of time shares this one common aspect. This is one of the amazing characteristics that separates us from every other species, as an extension of our communication abilities. From the campfires of early tribes and the hieroglyphs left by ancient Egyptians, to the smart phones and televisions of today. We are predestined to pass on the moral lessons that we as a society have already learned and grasp on to a small hope that the available mediums of the time will allow us to be remembered, with our personal stories also being told. Why is this? Is it an extension of ego? An attempt at some type of earthly immortality? So many people who have left their stories behind have made a significant impact after they’re gone, despite the fact that they were just part of the crowd while they were alive. Anne Frank could not have possibly known that the diary that she left behind would sell millions of copies and and be one of our most meaningful social narratives. The fact that a young girl can be so revered should make an impactful statement as to where we can find knowledge.

The trait that is just as remarkable is that we are conversely willing to intake anecdotes and are more than willing to throw reality to the wind as we stare at page after page of culturally defined squiggles and lines marked on each, while we visualize our interpretation of this communicated world in our mind. In our leisure time we search to construct and acknowledge an invisible fourth wall as we stare through it into another world created by people who are pretending to be other people in clothes that they don’t actually wear in their daily lives, saying words written by someone else, in front of a set of fake objects that create a very real world.

All of these pieces of story and communication are documented, packed up, and carried with us throughout time for future generations. It might be important to remember that concept nowadays, as it appears to be a sentiment that is forgotten, as we haphazardly self publish to an overfed audience with their own experiences, convictions, beliefs, and opinions. Bastardized information can be passed along if it fits one’s world views, and the superficial selfish, and trivial are placed on a pedestal with a willing acceptance. Today’s major medium that is utilized with cultural regularity is social media. It is hard to forget that these are the hieroglyphs that we are leaving behind on the stone walls of the historically new, and possibly brief, cyberspace. It is naive to think that they won’t be dusted off and interpreted by others long after we’re gone to define the personalities and priorities of our time. They say that the victors of history write it, but the element of time applied to history easily pierces that veil.

What is our culture leaving behind in comparison to those before it? We are living in the communication and information ages, as compared to our predecessors, with anything that we want to know readily at our fingertips. Despite this, we seem to be at a unique point in history, and the characteristics of humanity itself, wherein the progress and evolution of technology (science) is being used mostly as a distraction for the general public, rather than the betterment of life and society in the sense of daily use.
Could future generations see our preferred utilizations of technology as a plague, wherein the user becomes corrupted? A digital virus that was not limited to the realm realm, and, if so, what is the remedy, the cure that will aim our focus back to our default settings wherein we are programmed to progress and prosper, ever-building on the generational versions of societies that came before us? We’re due for an upgrade.

ROBBY BENNETT
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Siegfried

Wow, this one hurts. Siegfried Fischbacher has passed away at 81. I have so many memories of him from get-togethers and conventions. I always thought of him as this mysterious superstar who was larger than life and inaccessible, but he was anything but. He was always laughing, casual, and making people feel invited. I remember being too shy as a teenager to say hi to him when I saw him at the Hoffbrau House in Vegas, which he and Roy owned, only to be pulled into a conversation with him the next day at a different location.

He is a presence that will be greatly missed, as a spark of joy is now gone from anywhere in the world he would be. As a performer, he saw what magic could be and ignored the conventional to do the spectacular. Fate intervened when he met Roy on a cruise ship with a cheetah he had snuck on board and the rest is history. There would be no mega Vegas shows without them and they are the fathers of modern Las Vegas. They had a vision that required them to pave their own way, and pave they did. The memory that sticks out the most with Siegfried, as it should be, is sitting in their theater after the show at The Mirage, looking at this empty stage as everyone left the theater, and wondering how it could be possible that this spectacle that I just witnessed could have taken place there. He also convinced the mother of a young David Copperfield to “let him try at a career as a magician”.

Siegfried & Roy are now reunited with the legacy that they left as performers and their conservation of animals living on. They are two of the giants whose shoulders we all stand on. Aufwiedersehen, Herr Fischbacher.

#SARMOTI
(Siegfried And Roy: Masters Of The Impossible)

ROBBY BENNETT
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Make-A-Wish Foundation Sees Surge In Donations After Partnering With Violent Militia

By Robby Bennett

January 13, 2021

During a rocky start to the new year it’s a joyous occasion to be able to report some good news to the world. After seeing a decline in donations last year due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, The Make-A-Wish Foundation decided to get creative with their approach to attract outside funds. They refused to use the pandemic as an excuse and, in a unique concept, decided to partner with The Blood Of Tyrants Militia from their base in the Great Smokies region of the Appalachian Mountains. The partnership seems to be a fruitful one, as the new ambassadors seemingly have a one hundred percent conversion rate of people who they approach that end up giving to the charity.

“It really pulled at our heart strings and felt like the right thing to do”, says John Doe, the de facto leader of the armed group. “We had been taking a stand against government tracking and conspiracies for years, and with this pandemic, everything seemed to slow down as the political machine was busy with other things. It’s nice to be able to spend time working on a good cause and eat something besides squirrel. We load up and take our armed caravan to a supermarket or knocking from door to door in a neighborhood and people seem more than willing to give what they can. We hit a few snags, but those worked themselves out.”

“They kidnapped my wife!”, says Derek Cook, a Roanoke, Virginia resident who was solicited by the fundraising group. “I had to sell our car in order to raise the funds to get her back. I mean, it went to a great cause, but still caught me off guard. I understand that times are tough, and you have to admire The Make-A Wish Foundation for being able to adapt. I’ve got my wife back and now a kid is going to The Super Bowl. It all worked out in the end.”

Marsha Salazar, a representative of the foundation was more than happy to give her two cents. “This relationship has been more productive than we could have dreamed of! As we researched and looked at different programs that survive during hard times, the only ones that thrived were government operations, so we decided to adopt their tactics and leverage our need for funds with the threat of extreme violence. And guess what…It worked! We’re currently expanding on the program by constructing detainment centers in order to give those who aren’t willing to donate ‘time to think about it’. We’ve become dependent on our expansion of funds and have no intention to stop. We even got Disney World to shut down the park for a day to bring the kids and also hold an appreciation day for our new team in what they’re calling ‘Occupation Day’. It’s sure to be a blast! It’s also been eventful on a personal front. Early on it was obvious that [John Doe] and I had chemistry, and, long-story-short, we’re getting married early next year! The Blood Of Tyrants Militia has brought joy to so many in so many different ways…Except those who they threatened, captured, and detained. But it all works out in the end!”

ROBBY BENNETT
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Nonpartisanship: A Treason

I have had some mean things said to me by “members” of “both sides” of the political spectrum over the last week, as I don’t allow emotion or topical events sway any stance that I might have, or factor in subjective pietism. To me, these recent affronts, either direct or passive aggressive, just further signify the irrational personal investments in line with tribalism and sports team fanaticism, applied firmly to the detriment of the system of government. However, I refuse to play or take the stance of victim, as no one has that influence or power over me, my rationale, or well-being.

The recent discourse, in addition to the regular and common “nagging” about government demonstrates that the system is not working and does not represent the people, either in its operation or in its limited selection of representatives in the matters of personality or stance. It is taking up too much of the social dialogue and mental real estate. How often do you discuss an appliance or accessory that is working as it should, with the exception of praise? I have never heard anyone express those sentiments in regard to our government, with affirmative hopefulness and gratefulness as to what the system could be and the it’s fundamental foundation being praised only on the Fourth Of July or similar gratitudes on various holidays.

The Democrats act like petty children when they’re “winning” or “losing”, and then feign a hypocritical surprise and the position of a travesty casualty when the other side turns on them in kind, whereas the Republicans tend to operate off an unwavering ignorance and hot-headed position. Within this contrived “cancel culture”, it seems surprising, yet not unfitting, that it is completely overlooked and forgotten the the Democrats are the party of the KKK and all the horrible atrocities committed after The Civil War up to the modern era, or, as it had been referred to in the South until recently, “The War Of Northern Aggression”. During the same time period, President Lincoln, a Republican, had the Army shut down a meeting of the state legislature of Maryland and arrest its members to prevent them from endorsing Southern Secession, deported an American Citizen, and shut down 300 privately owned Northern newspapers who endorsed Southern secession.

The Democrats also seem to simply rely on government institutions to fix social problems, which it has never demonstrated a proficiency at doing, as most government projects are deplorable in their operations. This is then followed by a cycle of complaints about the powers and abuses of government when not operating within the line of their beliefs, but with the power they insisted in giving to the political system.

Yet, we are continuously discussing Executive Branch abuses during every administration, it seems, and these transgressions of one of America’s favorite presidents are always overlooked. To be fair, it was in the pursuit of a long overdue and noble goal, but, at the time, the method of obtainment was highly subjective and questionable and it is still debated as to the necessity for the outcome, when not ignored completely. This is all without mentioning the irrationality that has overgrown in large sects of the GOP. No, I want nothing to do with either.

James Madison defined a faction (party) as “a number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.” As political parties had interests which were adverse to the rights of citizens and to the general welfare of the nation, several Founding Fathers preferred a nonpartisan form of government, and the first several Congresses of the country were nonpartisan with George Washington warning against a party system in his farewell address as President. The Republic of Texas was nonpartisan before joining the Union, but today the only place where that can be found domestically as a collective political body is the Nebraska state legislature.

I find that within my stance, I am in good company and will not be used as the shied behind which the narcissistic sociopaths of legislation hide behind, as any form of applied logic would undoubtedly form cracks of that safeguard when they desire to form a unified front of their separated base.