Snowflakes 01/03/2005 Two snowflakes were talking one day.Well. They weren't actually snowflakes. But they thought they were and they looked like snowflakes. To be quite honest, I don't really know what they were but, for the purposes of the story, let us assume that they were snowflakes. Now, as I was saying:Two snowflakes were talking one day. They were talking because there wasn't much else to do except sit upon the ridge where they'd landed and gaze at the view. It was a particularly nice view because they could see the Great White Boss, standing outside his house with the glowing windows. Behind the house they could see the tops of the fir trees that made up the Lonely Forest. But any view becomes stale after you've stared at it for days on end. So the snowflakes fell into conversation, more to pass the time than anything else."Nice view," said the first snowflake.Now, snowflakes don't actually have names but I'm going to give them names so that I won't have to keep saying "the first snowflake," or "the second snowflake". Let us call this one who opened the conversation Moebius. That's a funny name but I've chosen it because it has a meaning and it might sum up his character at the end of the story.The other snowflake I'm going to call Ambitus, again because it has relevance for what will transpire. But, to continue:"Nice view," said Moebius.Ambitus ceased his gazing at the scene before him to turn and regard Moebius."Yes," he said.For a long time then there was silence. Snowflakes are not the most chatty of creatures and even such a brief conversation was fairly unusual, so the long interval before anything else was said was only to be expected. When the two did resume talking, these interim periods of silence interposed themselves between almost every statement but I am going to ignore them, so that the conversation will seem more immediate to us. We are an impatient species, after all.It was Moebius who eventually broke the silence again."It is good that we have landed in such a pleasant spot, where we can see the Great White Boss, his house and the forest.""Yes," replied Ambitus."I have often wondered about the Great White Boss and his comings and goings, how he maintains his wise and benevolent silence over the world, and how all things seem to be centered in him.""Yes," remarked Ambitus."For days now I have observed the Great White Boss and yet I have seen no coming or going. It seems to me that he rules with singular economy of touch, without need of histrionics or overbearing.""Yes," returned Ambitus.Moebius now turned once more to Ambitus and considered him for a while. He reached a decision and then spoke it forth."You seem an agreeable fellow."It was now Ambitus' turn to regard his companion and he did so. "If I were to answer that, I think I would merely be providing yet more evidence for my agreeability," he said.Moebius laughed. "Well put, good Ambitus, and in this you demonstrate a ready wit. And it is for this reason that I am going to venture a discussion with you. What think you of this world we live in?""Well, friend Moebius," replied Ambitus, "if you mean my thoughts on the Great White Boss, I have to say that I think he does an excellent job of controlling our world. See how he stands so motionless and steady, yet the world remains in harmony and we continue in peace as we have always done."For a while Moebius pondered upon this answer but then resumed, "What then would you have to say on the Mighty Windstorm that sometimes threatens our quiet existence? How is it that the Great White Boss allows such a thing to intervene upon our peace?""Ah, that is easily explained," Ambitus rejoined. "The Mighty Windstorm is a thing created by the Great White Boss himself and is intended to change our world occasionally, so that we do not become too fixed in our ways and thoughts.""I see," said Moebius. "But are you not ignoring the fact that the Mighty Windstorm sometimes comes again and again over a short period of time? This would seem to indicate that it does not emanate from the Great White Boss, at least for the reason you propose, for then just one Windstorm now and then would suffice for his purposes."Ambitus thought on this for a while and then replied, "I do not know why the Great White Boss should see fit to cause several Windstorms in a short space of time. It may be that I have divined his purposes incorrectly and that some other need requires that we be moved from place to place quite quickly. Yet it is clear that the Great White Boss is the source of the Windstorm, for this..." Here Ambitus indicated the world around them, "For this is clearly all that there is, the great sphere of existence encompasses all things and all centers upon the Great White Boss. There can be no other cause for the Windstorm for nothing else has the power to create such a thing."Moebius smiled, for he had succeeded in his intent to engage Ambitus in serious discussion, a thing that he had been able to do with very few other snowflakes. He pressed on."So how is it that the Great White Boss is able to do such a thing? What power does he possess that is not available to the likes of you or me?"Ambitus glanced at Moebius, becoming uneasy with the direction the conversation was taking. But he answered him politely enough."It is through magic that the Great White Boss achieves this. He knows deep mysteries that are not given to us who are merely the inhabitants of his kingdom. And, through this knowledge, he is able to bend the forces of existence to his will, inciting them to the creation of the Windstorm when he so desires."Moebius considered this answer for a long time before replying, "But I see no evidence of either the acquiring of this knowledge or the use of it. The Great White Boss does not move from his position to consult books of ancient wisdom, nor does he seem to draw symbols upon the snow or chant incantations to bring these forces into play.""It must be that he has always known these things then," said Ambitus, who was becoming exasperated. "And probably he is able to think the necessary symbols and incantations to make things happen. Anyway, why do you question me on all this? What do you think is the cause of the Mighty Windstorm if you do not believe it emanates from the wisdom of the Great White Boss?""Ah, Ambitus," replied Moebius, "I believe that the Mighty Windstorm is caused by something beyond our world, something outside the sphere of all things, and that the Great White Boss is as subject to its interruptions as are any of us."Ambitus laughed. "That, my friend, is just ridiculous. It is obvious that this is all there is and that the sphere of existence contains everything. Even its name shows that there is nothing beyond it for how can there be anything beyond existence? Look around you. Where do you see evidence to support what you say?""The evidence, dear Ambitus, is in your own explanation of how all this comes about. You have said that this is all that there is and that the Great White Boss is able to control things because he knows more than we do. But this means that he, too, is subject to the laws inherent in the sphere of existence and that he must, therefore, do their bidding in the same way that we all do. The Mighty Windstorm is not something induced by the Great White Boss because there is nothing within the sphere of existence to suggest that such a sudden alteration of the natural law is possible. By its very nature, it being against the laws of nature, the Mighty Windstorm must be the result of an influence beyond the sphere of existence. It is, indeed, what we might call a miracle, something that is not explained by the forces contained within the sphere of existence.""How can you say that?" protested Ambitus. "This surely must be heresy...."At that moment the Mighty Windstorm arrived and, picking up the two snowflakes, it hurled them into the air and twisted and turned them, this way and that, around and head over heels, until they had no idea of which way was up and which way was down.The boy put down the translucent globe and watched as the snow swirled within, slower and slower until it became a snowfall of tiny white flakes, drifting down to cover the Christmas scene once again. Many of the flakes landed upon the snowman outside the house, making him appear frosted and cold in the wintry landscape.Later, when the Windstorm had abated and the snowflakes drifted down, Moebius found that he had landed in the Lonely Forest, whereas Ambitus had come to rest upon the head of the Great White Boss. They were never to see each other again.
--ooOoo--
This story is what is known as a vehicle. That means it is a story told to amuse and yet speak of things beyond the story itself. It is a dangerous thing for a writer to attempt because, all too often, the writer's real intent will show through and he will be accused of trying to fool the reader into thinking of things that he may not wish to think about. But, as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The story also contains a device, being the hiding of certain important facts that are only revealed at the end, thereby creating a surprise or sting in the tail that explains the whole story. This is very common in short stories but I admit that I have always disliked it, feeling that it is somewhat of a cheap trick to give the story more impact than it probably deserves. That is why I have given extensive hints throughout to indicate that all is not as it seems. If I succeeded in surprising anyone with the revelation that the story takes place in a snowglobe, I am sorry but I did try to warn you.
Clive
Ned What a wonderful tale. We quickly see common human traits in both characters, the need to ask questions, the need to have answers. We are set upon wondering, who is best off? One who has all the answers he needs to satisfy his curiosity or one who questions and seeks more knowledge and has not quite enough to give him answers? I wonder... now that Ambitus has access to the Great White Boss, will he ask him about the origin of the Windstorm? I also feel sorry for Moebius, who has the imagination to see beyond his sphere of existence and experience and is not given the opportunity to query the Great White Boss but is in the Lonely Forest, with only his questions. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Hannah Damn! Ned beat me :(Love the story. The names, of course, are fitting. Interesting conversation. Sounds like something owls come up with at 3 a.m. :PSeriously, I like what you did here. The vehicle is amusing, yet carries the story well. The only sting I felt was when I realized why the snowflakes hadn't melted yet :P Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away Good point, Ned. Funnily enough, I have been wondering whether to swap their final positions, now that I can edit after blogging. On balance though, I think that might smack of partiality and give away too much of my own sympathies in the controversy... ;) Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Hannah. So you got stung, huh? ;) Mad and I have been discussing what those snowflakes can be made of and our conclusion is that they must be plasticflakes. Hence, no melting. :D Date Added: 01/03/2005
Ned No, I wouldn't swap their positions. Moebius has his thirst for knowledge and perhaps he will someday find the answers he seeks. Had Moebius not talked to Ambitus on this subject, perhaps there would be no possibility that Ambitus might even consider taking advantage of his new position to ask such a question of the Boss. But now... he just might, even if only to satisfy himself that he was right. Moebius served his purpose, he asked the question. It is up to Ambitus now, positioned as he is, to find the courage to seek the answer. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away Yes, I think you are right there, Ned. And, considering that we know now what the Great White Boss is, it may be that his answers would be as puzzling to the Ambitus as Moebius' questions. Presumably the Boss would not wish a mere snowflake to know that he does not, in fact, control anything, but, if he were to claim that he creates the Windstorm, he might be called upon to demonstrate this power by making something happen... Date Added: 01/03/2005
Jodie I was surprised...although, since I live here in OK (where snow lasts for maybe a day, if that), I assumed the nonmelting snowflakes must be located somewhere back east or up north. The twist never occurred to me until it happened -- I liked it. But then, I like O. Henry and Maupassant. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away The whole thing is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Jodie, including the disclaimer at the end. Secretly, I hoped to fool everyone! :D Date Added: 01/03/2005
Way Being as partial to Rod Serling as I am, this reads as a most worthy tale. For one thing, listening in on the argument of philosophies captured inside the globe, even from those two light-weights, sounded dead-on and yet not too heavy so as to keep this reader's short attention. And I gotta admit, I like being fooled like that, so I grinned at the end. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Rusty I have overcome a possessed keyboard to get here. Apparently someone spilled something on it... had to get a new one... argh...I was fooled though. I laughed at the end, much like Way did.No clue to the relevence of the names, google search came up with NOTHING. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Way. But who is Rod Serling? Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away There is nothing like a new keyboard, Rusty, especially if you get to choose it yourself. And I'm glad you laughed, I was trying to make you. ;) Okay, the names. Moebius is named for the moebius strip, which can be made quite easily by taking a long strip of paper, twisting it, then gluing the ends to each other. It now forms a sort of figure 8 or (even more appropriately) the symbol for infinity. But, if you take a pen and start drawing a line down one surface, you will find that the line eventually joins up with its beginning. This proves that the strip has only one surface although it looks as if it has two. Logic gets confused here because, unjoined, the strip clearly has two surfaces so it seems impossible that it now has only one. So Moebius is called so, partly because the strip resembles the symbol for infinity but also because the line that you draw on the single surface of a moebius strip can go on forever. "Ambitus" is Latin for boundary or edge. And the snowflake earns his name because he believes that there is a limit beyond which nothing exists. He believes, in fact, that everything is contained within the sphere (or boundary) of existence. Date Added: 01/03/2005
Rusty I now have much more respect for the story, even though I like it before. I see a "higher power" theme embedded in there. We look for a higher power in both occasions? Perhaps yours is to mean that no such higher power exists in this world, or in any human person. But outside our world in the form of a God. Although, its disturbing that the God likes to create chaos every now and then! I draw my own conclusions from stories :-) Date Added: 01/03/2005
keeefer They say 'one mans meat is another mans poison' and sorry, but this left me cold (maybe artificially so). I am no fan of the use of 'vehicles' in stories, maybe it is because i read to many aesops fables as a child or maybe because i find it deceitful and dislike the feeling of being cheated. The story is, however, well written as always though i did work out that we were in a snowglobe (how can it snow inside?). 'Mad and I have been discussing what those snowflakes can be made of and our conclusion is that they must be plasticflakes. Hence, no melting.' Those long winter nights must fly by ;) Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away That's what stories are for, Rusty, for you to draw your own conclusions from. I try not to influence too much from my own point of view although, because the stories start because of who I am and what I think, that's almost impossible! Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away I sympathize with you, Keef, and, as I mentioned, this is the danger of the "vehicle" type of story - that the reader will feel conned into going along with something that is not what it appears to be at first sight. But, hey, when you need a taxi, you need it bad! Well, okay, Mad and I mentioned the plasticflakes in passing... :> Date Added: 01/03/2005
Keeefer There is somthing about snowglobes though that compel me to pick them up and shake them. I'd like to say that it is the child in me surfacing, but as i'm childish most the time i think it is more sinister. I believe i do it purely because i can, as though i want to bring chaos and mayhem to someone elses world.....if only they made them with those little sound thingys in, the kind you get on the bottom of some drinking mugs. It would be great to have santa screaming and the sounds of panicked reindeer (assuming its a xmas scene....ho ho arrrrgggghhhhh) while you shake the globe......or is it only my twisted mind that that appeals to? Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away I've just had a brilliant idea! I'm gonna put Keef in a story and call it The Evil Snowglobe Shaker... Date Added: 01/03/2005
The Evil Snowglobe Shaker Wherever theres a minature plastic landmark encased in a snowglobe, I'll be there Whenever the plasticflakes have settled, i'll be there for i am The Evil Snowglobe Shaker MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Date Added: 01/03/2005
Gone Away .oO(Good grief, I've released the monster!) Date Added: 01/03/2005
Ned I think there is a conspiracy afoot. This is the only site either my Internet Explorer or the Firefox will open. I know you are seeking higher stats, but to down the whole net except for your blog? That might be going a bit far I think. Date Added: 02/03/2005
Keeefer Gone, I have done it! http://keeefer.blogspot.com/ Date Added: 02/03/2005
josh Poor, poor Moebius - doomed to never find an answer to his questions. This whole thing got me thinking about string theory's postulation of 11 spatial dimensions -- how we could probably journey forever in one direction, thinking we are making "forward" progress across the universe; never conceptually deviating from our four dimensional prison -- when in actuality we are moving in 11 different directions at once. ;-) Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away Not guilty, Ned, although it sounds like a great idea if only I could arrange it! Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away Sounds to me as though you have a story there, Josh. Are we to witness the advent of a great new writer, leading us on to higher things and other dimensions? Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away Keef has a blog! Now let the world tremble and fear for the future! I have been and seen - it is a thing of beauty and wonder. Go have a look and know that nothing will ever be the same again. Here's the link - click on me. Date Added: 02/03/2005
Hannah Look, you old lizard, it's very nice that keefer has a blog and all, but "click on me" sounds a bit off :P Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away I am far too innocent to understand what you can mean, Hannah. :D Date Added: 02/03/2005
keeefer Thanks for the link Gone........though i agree with Hannah, you sound like a failed porn star Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away In that case you should build an interesting clientele, Keef. :D Date Added: 02/03/2005
Keeefer True, maybe i should rename the blog to ja ja fuken mein arsen (sorry an old joke about germans from a prior job) .....hmmm maybe not Date Added: 02/03/2005
josh No way man... I'm a lover, not a writer. ;-) Date Added: 02/03/2005
Mad Woah! Keef has a blog now. Looks like I'm gonna have to write my own content again :( Date Added: 02/03/2005
glenniah Can I play the part of the snow globe shaker, please. I was dismayed at first when I discovered the Wizard of Oz may have been a charlatan. But now I see that there are these unseen forces at work, we may strive and do our best and climb that really high mountain. Imagine tho, being almost at the top of the mountain and the snow globe is turned upside down, ouch!!! Glenni Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away LOL Glenni, of course you can be the snowglobe shaker. Better to be that than inside the globe! Date Added: 02/03/2005
Harvey What I a great story. I must admit that I was fooled. I loved it still. You make imaginary characters seem like people. I am sorry that I have been too busy to stop by the past few days. It is nice to get back and enjoy such a heart warming tale. Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away We were worried about you, Harvey. Not like you to be off gallivanting somewhere. Someone said you'd thrown in the towel and gone to be a beach bum in the Virgin Isles but I never believed it for a moment. Welcome back! :) And thanks for the kind words. :D Date Added: 02/03/2005
Jodie NO!!! The Wizard of Oz can't be a charlatan...I'm counting on him to get me home!!! Say it isn't so! Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away It's the red shoes, Jodie. Click your heels together... ;) Date Added: 02/03/2005
Jodie Gone, I've been doing that for ages and I'm still here in Oklahoma...my coworkers are beginning to think I'm a little odd... Date Added: 02/03/2005
Gone Away Ahhh, that's to take you home, Jodie. Now, if you want to get to Oz, first find a tornado... :D Date Added: 02/03/2005
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