THE ALARM CLOCK EXPERT

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Permalink Reply by melissa sweet on February 19, 2009 at 1:48am

Although the entire country was invited to the first lecture by the alarm clock expert, only about half attended. And some of them admitted that they came only out of curiosity. The other half of the population expressed great regret over their absence, quickly explaining that it was due to unexpected emergencies.

But those who attended, heard some interesting information. The expert mentioned some of the great Alarm Clock Experts of the past, including Jesus, Buddha and Socrates. And some of his words were painful to them; for example, he explained that most people, while giving lip-service to the New Nation, did not really want to make the journey. Man is lazy, hypocritical, and he lies about everything. All the same, the alarm clock expert cheerfully added, those who really want to cross the Dark Woods can certainly do so.

Permalink Reply by Aino / Akpolarmom on February 19, 2009 at 9:47pm

Meanwhile, on the out side of the gathered crowd, stood a young woman. She was rather simple of mind, often teased and taunted by the citizens about her inferior intellect. She stood quietly and listened to all the great Alarm Clock Expert had to say. She did not quite understand all he was saying, though she was mesmerized by his way of speaking. She did not feel in her heart, that she was like all the others he was talking about; as she was indeed not lazy nor did she lie. She was, as a matter of fact, quite often known to say what ever came to mind, the honest truth, even if the receiver did not care to hear the truth.
But, since the citizens tired so easily, the great Alarm Clock Expert, thought it wise to send every one home to rest before continuing the training. All the citizens filed out of the great meeting hall, already yawning and blinking their eyes. Ready to leave for the night, the great Alarm Clock Expert’s eyes fell on the simple-minded woman standing near the door. He cocked his head to the right, looked at her, then cocked his head to the left and looked again.
"And who so ever may you be, my young friend?" he queried her, “are you not tired like the rest of the folks here tonight?”
"I am called Mette, Sir " she curtsied, as she did not know what else to do before such a great man. “But, most often I am called ’Mette the witless,’ ‘Stupid Mette,’ or sometimes just ‘Fool.’ ”
He smiled at her statement, but it hurt his heart, as he was a kindhearted man. Men are so cruel, he thought.
He smiled at her and stretched out his hand toward her, and motioned for her to come closer.
“And you are not tired?”
“No Sir, why would I be tired? Today was a holiday, and I had no work to be done.”
“How would you like to have a cop of tea with me at the dinner over yonder, my young friend.”
“Sure Sir that would be fine if it is no trouble”
And that is how the great Alarm Clock Expert and the simple-minded woman, began a friendships that would last thru the Dark Woods and far beyond.

Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on February 19, 2009 at 11:41pm

Over he next few meetings, he supplied specific instructions for building personal alarm clocks: "The alarm clock you need is within your own mind. By repairing the faults, it can keep you awake long enough to reach the new New Nation.

Now there are certain rules for making it an effective instrument. First you must clearly see your inability to stay awake. Then you must want to stay awake more than anything else on earth. And remember the vital parts of your alarm clock are sincerity, honesty, persistence and courage. Take Mette as your model."
Strangely, the longer the meetings continued, the fewer came to listen.

Among those who stayed away were the leaders of the country, the very ones who had first pleaded for aid from the expert. Some of them even angrilly denounced him, and went off to start their own groups, while advertising themselves as experts. They attracted many followers, who soon quarreled among themselves.

But to the few who remained, the teacher imparted further counsel: "Absorb as many esoteric truths as you can. Then, at unexpected times, they will ring bells within your mind, keeping you awake. Try to see that these truths are not trying to take comfort from you, but wish to confer a new kind of comfort which can not be shaken by anything. "

At the final meeting, the expert gave them encouraging counsel: "There is really nothing to fear in the Dark Woods, but you cannot see this as yet. So press on, fearing nothing, avoiding nothing, welcoming every experience. The New Nation belongs to those who persist in spite of everything." With this the alarm clock expert returned to the mountains.

Those who had listened carefully, went to work to build thier individual alarm clocks. Now knowing how to stay awake, they set out, crossed the Dark Woods, and reached the New Nation.

And Mette... she had no need of a new nation, because....