Because - For The Childred Who Ask Why

Because (author unlisted)
Because
For the Childred Who Ask Why by (author unlisted)
Published in 1916
PREFACE Chapter -1- GO Chapter -!- "O E# OF CO$#C%O&#$E## Chapter -'- (AR"A ) *A+ Chapter -,- RE%$CAR$A-%O$ Chapter -.EA-/ Chapter -6- PRA0ER Chapter -1- /O+ +OR* # BEGA$ Chapter -2- -/E "A#-ER# Chapter -9- FOR"ER CO$-%$E$-# Chapter -13- FA%R%E# Chapter -11- G/O#-# ) #E4E$-FO* Chapter -1!Chapter -1'REA"# E4AC/A$ A$ B%R-/ $A-&RE OF "A$
Chapter -1,- #EE # Chapter -1.- APP*%CA-%O$#
Pa5e 1
Because (author unlisted) PREFACE

-his little boo6 is intended to ser7e as a 5uide to the 8other 9ho 9ishes to teach her children the basic :acts o: li:e; the purpose o: li:e; and the la9s o: li7in5 it< +hile 8an= boo6s :or children ha7e been 9ritten 9ith these -heosophical ideas in 8ind; the principles ha7e been o:ten so obscured b= stor= and di7ersion; that no clear ideas ha7e been 5ained< %n this boo6; the principles are insisted on to the e>clusion o: stor= interest; 9ith the idea that each 8other in her o9n 9a=; and accordin5 to the nature o: her child; 8a= i8part ) 8a=be learn at the sa8e ti8e ) the teachin5 8ore clearl= and co8prehensi7el= than an= other 8other could possibl= i8part it< -he 9or6 is in realit= :or the 8other the principles here 5i7en are undiluted -heosoph= as 9ritten do9n b= /<P<Bla7ats6=? the applications in 8an= instances as tau5ht b= her collea5ue; +8< @< Aud5e; and :urther passed on b= one 9ho :ollo9ed in their :ootsteps; - in 5ratitude to each o: 9ho8 this little boo6 is 9ritten b= A #tudent< (Edited b= Robert Crosbie (12,9-1919)
Pa5e !
Because (author unlisted) BECAUSE- For the Children Who Ask Why
oroth= and "ilton #te9ard 9ere t9o 7er= :orlorn and 8iserable little people; as the= sat 9ith their :ather; ridin5 on the train to Aunt EleanorBs house< -hin5s had been all so stran5e and 9ron5 since their 8other 9ent to bed< -he= could not see her; and so8eone 9as al9a=s sa=in5; C/ushDC i: the= spo6e 8uch abo7e a 9hisper< E7en 9hen the= tried to be Euiet; loo6in5 at their boo6s; one 9as sure to :all 8ost une>pectedl=; so that the= Fu8ped and 8ade 8ore noise than e7er< And no9; a:ter all their tr=in5; "other had 5one a9a= 9ithout 6issin5 the8 5ood-b=e ) 5one on a lon5; lon5 Fourne=; their :ather said; to 5et rested and 9ell< Father al9a=s 9as sober and Euiet 9hen "other 9asnBt ho8e; but no9 ) see8ed as i: he Fust co8pletel= :or5ot the= 9ere 9ith hi8 at all< Fredd= Ba6erBs 8other had co8e do9n to the train to see the8 o::; and she cried and hu55ed the8 up and called the8 CPoor little dearsDC 9hich 9as Fust the 9a= the= :elt< #o8e9a=; a lu8p see8ed to be ri5ht 9here the= s9allo9ed; all the ti8e; and it didnBt 5o a9a= e7en 9hen the= sa9 out o: the car 9indo9 the cunnin5est little red colts 6ic6 up their heels and run a9a= :ro8 the train bac6 into the pasture< Finall=; "ilton dropped o:: to sleep; and 6ne9 no 8ore till he opened his e=es loo6in5 into Aunt EleanorBs ros= :ace< -hen he 6ne9 he :elt better; and s8iled up at her< Aunt Eleanor 6ept hi8 under one 8otherin5 ar8; and oroth= under the other all the 9a= to her house; in the carria5e ) and it :elt so 5ood< And 9hen Father said the= 9ere 5oin5 to sta= 9ith Aunt Eleanor no9 9hile "other 9as a9a=; the= 6ne9 the= 9ould choose to be 9ith her be:ore an=bod= else but their o9n s9eet 8other< Father 9ould co8e and sta= 9ith the8 too; a:ter a 9hile; he pro8ised; but :or no9 the= 9ere content Fust to loo6 at Aunt EleanorBs bri5ht :ace and to :eel that she lo7ed the8< #uch 5ood :riends and chu8s the= 5ot to be 9ith Aunt Eleanor; as the da=s 9ent b=D #o8e9a=; she ne7er 9as i8patient 9hen the= as6ed her 9h= ) and there 9ere so 8an= 9h=sD -hat is the reason so8e o: their tal6s to5ether are 9ritten do9n here< E7er= little bo= and 5irl has 8an= 9h=s; and perhaps oroth= and "ilton ha7e :ound the ans9ers :or those 7er= 9h=s< +ho 6no9sG
Pa5e '
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER ! "#$

One #unda= 8ornin5 "ilton ran in to Aunt Eleanor :ro8 the =ard 9here he and oroth= had been pla=in5 catch< Chester; the bo= ne>t door; had called out to the8; C0ouBd better stop pla=in5 ball on #unda=< God doesnBt 9ant =ou to< %tBs bad ) and heBll punish =ou; i: =ou do<C "ilton had replied ) C+ell; 9hoBs GodG %s he a police8anGC CBi55erBn that;C said Chester< CAnd he 8ade the 9hole 9orld and e7er=thin5<C C/B8 ) 9ell; 9ho 8ade GodG +as "iltonBs Euestion< Chester said ) C%B7e 5ot to 5o no9<C As he turned to9ard the house; "ilton 9hispered to %Bll 5o as6 Aunt Eleanor about this God 8an o: ChesterBs<C oroth=H C% thin6
oroth= saidH C% 5uess there 8ust be so8e God; an=9a=< % heard Papa and "a88a tal6 about God one da=; and the= said that the= didnBt 9ant to tell us about the 6ind o: a God the= had tau5ht the8; and 9eBd better :ind out about such thin5s :or oursel7es<C C+ell; % 5uess it 8ust be ti8e to :ind out no9; sister< o you belie7e itBs 9ron5 to pla= catch on #unda= because an=bod= sa=s soG Aunt Eleanor 9ill 6no9; i: an=bod= does<C Aunt Eleanor 9as readin5 9hen he ca8e in; but she put her boo6 do9n 9hen she sa9 "iltonBs :ace all one ea5er Euestion 8ar6< C+hat is it no9; sonG she s8iled at hi8< C+h=; Aunt Eleanor; Chester sa=s God 9ill punish us i: 9e pla= ball on #unda=< Please; is it 9ron5 to pla= ball on #unda= ) and 9ho is God; an=9a=G COne at a ti8e;C lau5hed Aunt Eleanor< Especiall= as =our last Euestion 8i5ht be ans9ered :ore7er and not be done< But no9; letBs see ) be:ore 9e ans9er =our :irst Euestion; canBt 9e :ind out 9hat is doin5 ri5ht ) and 9hat is doin5 9ron5G CEach one has to decide :or hi8sel:; % thin6< 0ou see; 9hat 8i5ht be Euite 9ron5 :or Chester 9ould be all ri5ht :or =ou< %: Chester pla=ed ball on #unda=; 9hen he thin6s it is 9ron5; 9hen it 9ould be a cause o: disturbance to his parents 9ho thin6 its 9ron5; he then 9ould be doin5 9ron5 to pla=< But =ou 9ould be Pa5e ,

doin5 no 9ron5 to pla=; because it see8s Fust as ri5ht to do so on #unda= 9hat is ri5ht on an= other da=< 0ou 6no9 it does not anno= those 9ho are ta6in5 care o: =ou; and that the= e7en li6e =ou to ha7e the e>ercise< +hat =ou can see har8s no one in the 9orld can not be 9ron5<C But; Auntie; 9h= does Chester pic6 out #unda= to be so Bspeciall= 5ood inGC C*on5 =ears a5o; people thou5ht there 9as a 5reat Bein5 9ho 8ade the 9orld in si> da=s; and rested on the se7enth< And so the=; too; spent the se7enth da= in rest; or rather in 9orshippin5 this Bein5 9ho8 the= called God< -here are people 9ho still belie7e that 9a=; but; as a 8atter o: :act; this earth o: ours too6 8illions o: =ears to beco8e ) to grow as 9e see it< %t isnBt that the ancient Bible stor= is not correct; but the people ha7e 8isunderstood it :ro8 lac6 o: 6no9led5e< %Bll ha7e to tr= to tell =ou 8ore o: ho9 9orlds are 8ade; so8e da=< /o9e7er; one da= out o: se7en :or rest is a 5reat help to all o: us< -here are thousands o: people 9ho do nothin5 but drud5e e>cept :or that one da=< And it is 9ise 5enerall= to do then thin5s not done the rest o: the 9ee6< #o 9e 5et a chan5e; and :reshened up :or the ordinar= dail= round o: duties<C C-hen God doesnBt ha7e the sa= o: 9hatBs ri5ht or 9ron5; AuntieGC C+ell; no9; =ou see; 9e ha7e to 6no9 9hat God is< % said each one 8ust decide :or hi8sel: 9hat is ri5ht and 9ron5< Each one 8ust thin6 :or hi8sel:< Each one reall= is a -hin6er ) a Percei7er ) loo6in5 on all thin5s; =et hi8sel: the sa8e Percei7er; the sa8e one 9ho thin6s< -hat is the onl= God 9e can e7er 6no9; 9ho can e7er punish us< %tBs not a God outside< +e oursel7es ) those Percei7ers ) are reall= God< +e punish oursel7es ) 9e re9ard oursel7es ) 9hether 9e realiIe it or not ) and 9e cannot escape either the re9ard or the punish8ent< Especiall= 8ust 9e ne7er :or5et that itBs the sa8e God in e7er= person 9e 6no9 or 8eet or hear o:<C CBut is it al9a=s there; Aunt EleanorG sa8e as no9GC id % ha7e it 9hen % 9as a bab=; and 9ill % ha7e it ne>t =ear Fust the
C%t is al9a=s and al9a=s; dear< 0ou donBt ha7e it; because itBs reall= 9hat =ou are< ArenBt =ou "ilton Fust the sa8e no9 that =ou 9ere 9hen =ou 9ere a bab=G And ne>t =ear; =ou 9onBt be an=one else but "ilton; 9ill =ouG 0ouBll 6no9 8ore then than =ou do no9; o: course; but the "ilton 9ho 6no9s the 8ore is Fust the sa8e "ilton 9ho can 6no9 ten ti8es as 8uch and still be the sa8e "ilton<C CBut %Bll be taller then; Aunt Eleanor; and stron5erGC C0our bod= 9ill; dear child< But %B8 tr=in5 to tell =ou =ou are not that bod=< onBt =ou see; =ou canBt be; because i: =ou 9ere; =ou 9ould be so8ebod= else 9hen =ou 5ot into lon5 trousersG And in :act; there 9onBt be a bit o: =our bod= as it is no9 in the bod= =ou 9ill ha7e 9hen that ti8e co8es<C CBut 9h= does 8= bod= chan5e soGC Pa5e .

C+ell; dear; do =ou 6no9 there is nothin5 under the sun that does not chan5e e>ceptin5 that one thin5 9hich =ou are ) the one thin5 oroth= is ) the one thin5 % a8 ) and e7er=one else is; % sa= it is the Percei7er< And there is another na8e others call it ) Consciousness ) God; indeed onl= =ou see; it is not at all the lar5e-siIed 8an-God that Chester thin6s< %t is reall= this God ) this Consciousness ) this Percei7er ) this %nner part o: ours that 8a6es the chan5es in our bodies< +e do not realiIe it ) but it is -hat 9hich causes e7er=thin5 to be done<C C oes -hat tell us 9hat is the ri5ht thin5 to eatG %s it ) 9hen 9e 9ant so8ethin5 so a9:ull= our 8ouths 9ater ) That tells usGC CE>actl=< %: our tastes are not dulled b= arti:icial :oods< And our bodies are 8ade :ro8 the :ood 9e eat< %t is reall= a 9onder:ul stor= ) ho9 the little thin6ers all throu5h our bodies set about their 9or6 and do it :or us< People call the8 cells; and 8e8branes; and tissues; and 8an= other thin5s; but the= too are -hin6ers in their 9a=<C COh; Auntie; do =ou 8ean everything is a -hin6erGC CE7er=thin5 dear; in the 9ide; 9ide 9orld< Onl= there are di::erent 6inds o: thin6in5< -he stone doesnBt thin6 as 8uch as the plant; =ou see< -he plant doesnBt thin6 as 8uch as the ani8al; and not e7en the 9isest ani8al thin6s as =ou do; dear; because he doesnBt 6no9 heBs thin6in5< /e doesnBt 6no9; :or instance; e7en that he is an ani8al and =ou are a bo=<C CBut 9onBt he so8eti8e e7er 6no9GC C0es; he 9ill ) a5es and a5es :ro8 no9; 9hen the 8en o: no9 ha7e 5ro9n so 9ise the=Bll 5o to so8e other earth to learn< -hat is *i:e; dear; the e7er 5ro9in5; the e7er beco8in5 so8ethin5 bi55er and better and 9iser< But enou5h :or this ti8e; son< $o9 run and pla=<C
Pa5e 6
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -%&#$ES #F C#'SC(#US'ESS

oroth= and "ilton 9ere not be=ond the Fo= o: 8ud pies; and onl= the ne>t da= a:ter their learnin5 :ro8 Aunt Eleanor that e7er=thin5 in its 9a= is a -hin6er; as their practised :in5ers 8oulded the 8ost luscious pu8p6in pies; oroth= burst out ) C+h= "ilton; do =ou suppose e7en these 9ee bits o: 5rains o: sand thin6G /o9 can the=GC C+ell; i: e7er=thin5 thin6s; the= 8ust so8e9a=< Oh; Aunt EleanorC ) he called; as he spied her turnin5 in at the 5ate< C0es indeed; dear<C she ans9ered; slippin5 into the 5arden chair near b=< CO: course; itBs a s8all 6ind o: 9a= the 5rain o: sand thin6s and 5ets e>perience and 6no9led5e< %tBs reall= Fust this rubbin5 up a5ainst other 5rains that is its 6no9in5 ) its li7in5< And ta6e a roc6 ) 8ade up o: 8an= such tin= particles that to us see8 so solid and Euiet; 8en o: science ha7e :ound that all these particles are in constant rapid 8otion about so8e central point ) as 9e call it; the thin6er ) the consciousness< And in that 7er= roc6 beauti:ul cr=stals :or8< -his a8eth=st stone in 8= rin5 is a hi5her 6ind o: thin6in5 in so8e stone< Out o: roc6s 5ro9 lichens ) the :irst o: the 7e5etable 9orld< Gro9in5 to9ard the sun and li5ht is the 9a= 7e5etables thin6< %t isnBt so hard to see ho9 ani8als thin6; o: course; because 9e see ho9 the= are 9ise a5ainst dan5er to the8sel7es; and ho9 the= ta6e care o: their =oun5<C CBut Aunt Eleanor; i: a little bab= la8b 5ot lost; and suddenl= sa9 a 9ol: that it had ne7er seen be:ore ) 9ould it 6no9 the 9ol: 9as dan5erousGC Euestioned oroth=< C0es; indeed< % thin6; 9ere =ou near b= to 9atch; =ou 9ould see it tre8ble a 5reat deal; and tr= to run on its 9obbl= le5s< #o8ethin5 inside ) 9hat 9e call instinct ) 9ould tell it the dan5er< Because other sheep and la8bs be:ore hi8 had su::ered the cruelt= o: 9ol7es; that 6no9led5e beca8e a part o: the 6no9led5e; or nature; o: all la8bs< +hen =ou are older; % can e>plain to =ou Fust 9h=; but no9 it is enou5h to see that in the little la8b; the instinct is 8uch the sa8e thin5 as in =ou; that 9hich 6no9s ri5ht :ro8 9ron5; 9ithout so8eone else :irst tellin5 =ou< -hatBs =our -hin6er; isnBt itG #o8e call it Conscience ) as 9ell as intuition<C COh; Aunt Eleanor; 9as that it 9hen % didnBt 5o to ride 9ith that 8an 9ho o::ered 8e all that nice cand=G % 9anted the cand=; and % 9anted to 5o to ride; and =ou 9erenBt here to as6; and he said 9e 9ouldnBt be 5one lon5 ) but % Fust :elt unco8:ortable to do it< #o % ran Euic6 as e7er % could into the house and told $orah to loc6 the door<C C#urel= so8ethin5 inside told =ou; oroth= 5irl; Fust as it did the la8b 9hen the 9ol: appeared ) that there 9as dan5er< %t 8a= 9ell be that =ou 6no9 a 5reat deal inside that =ou 9ill 5raduall= redisco7er as ti8e 5oes on< "an= ti8es =ou ha7e had ne9 bodies on this earth ) bodies that 5re9 up; 5re9 old and Pa5e 1

died ) 9hile =ou 9ent on 9ith 9hat =ou had learned to ta6e other bodies :or learnin5 8ore<C CBut Auntie; 9ere 9e once so8ebod= elseGC as6ed oroth= perple>edl=<
C$o; ne7er an=one but =oursel: ) nor e7er 9ill be ) thou5h =ou ha7e had di::erent na8es and di::erent 6inds o: bodies< Al9a=s the B%;C the thin6er; the Percei7er is the sa8e :ore7er and e7er< -he B%C si8pl= uses that bod= as an instru8ent :or learnin5; Fust as 9e use a telescope to see the stars 9ith< #o it is the B%C that reall= has the 6no9led5e and e>perience o: all the bodies it e7er had< %t is the 6no9led5e o: the B%C that is intuition ) a 8e8or= o: past li7es; 9hether or not 9e can re8e8ber the8 in our brains< +e 5et our brain ne9 e7er= li:e ) so 9e cannot e>pect that to re8e8ber 9hat it ne7er e>perienced<C COh; but % 9ish =ou could tell us about so8e other o: the bodies 9e ha7e had< +onBt =ou Auntie; so8e da=GC C -hat; dears; % cannot do ) but % 9ill 5ladl= tell =ou 8an= thin5s that e>plain 9h= =ou ha7e Fust these bodies as the= are no9< +h=; it is 5ettin5 lateDC she stopped in surprise< C+e 8ust hurr= to 5et those 8udd= little hands 9ashed in ti8e :or tea<C
Pa5e 2
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -)*AR&A + ,AW

For t9o da=s it rained :ast and hard e7er= 8inute; so that oroth= and "ilton had to sta= in the house; Euite as 8uch prisoners as 9as Robinson Crusoe on his desert island< #urel= Crusoe could not ha7e reFoiced 8ore to see the sail than the children did; 9hen on the third da= the clouds bro6e; and a :resh 9ind scudded the8 out o: the 9a= to let the sun throu5h< $ot 8an= 8inutes passed in 5ettin5 on coats and caps and rubbers read= to 5o 9ith Aunt Eleanor to see the s9ollen ri7er in the arro=o< All three o: the8 :airl= bounded alon5 in their Fo= to be out a5ain in the :resh s9eet air< -he birds; too; 9ere 5lad; and sin5in5 a9a= on the telephone 9ires and :ences< And; Oh; ho9 :ine the ri7er 9as 9hen the= reached it at last a:ter a scra8ble do9n the ban6s all so:t and slide= :ro8 the rainD -o be sure; the 9ater 9as nois= and 8udd=; and carried 9ith it all sorts o: debris ) but to 9atch it all and hear it 9as enou5h entertain8ent to 8a6e up :or the lon5 indoor e>ile< On the 9a= ho8e; too; the= disco7ered se7eral little ponds 8ade b= the rain ) Euiet and clear enou5h to re:lect the clouds sailin5 b=< C-hro9 in a stone; "ilton;C said Aunt Eleanor;C and letBs 9atch 9hat happens< -here ) see ho9 the circles spread out 9ider and 9ider :ro8 9here the stone dropped in< $o9 the= ha7e reached the shore< +ait ) see the8 5o bac6 a5ain ) bac6 ) e7er s8aller ) to 9here the stone :irst droppedD o =ou 6no9; that is al9a=s Fust 9hat happens 9hen an= stone is thro9n b= an=one into an= pondG -he stone 8a6es a point o: disturbance ) :ro8 9hich ripples 5o :orth and return a5ain to it< -he :allin5 o: the stone is the cause o: the ripples ) the ripples are the e::ect o: that cause< %: =ou 9ill re8e8ber Fust ho9 and 9h= it happened this ti8e; =ou 9ill ha7e learned the 8ost i8portant la9 an=one can e7er 6no9 ) no 8atter ho9 9ise or po9er:ul he 8a= be< +hen =ou are older; indeed; =ou 9ill learn to sa= it li6e thisH B Action and reaction are eEual and in opposite directions<B Out to shore 9as action o: the 9ater; bac6 a5ain to the sa8e place :ro8 9hich it started 9as reaction< But the 8ost interestin5 thin5 about this la9 is that it acts not onl= 9here 9e can see it; but it acts e7er=9here and all the ti8e; and 8ore 9here 9e donBt see it than 9here 9e see plainl=< %t 9or6s inside us Fust the sa8e as e7er=9here else outside< %t is this la9 that 9e na8e (ar8a<C C-ell us ho9 it 9or6s inside; Auntie;C as6ed oroth=; as the= then 9al6ed on< C+ell; let us suppose that so8e little 5irl beca8e an5r= at her brother and pushed hi8 o:: the step ) that he stu8bled and :ell and recei7ed an inFur= to his bac6 9hich 8ade hi8 la8e all his li:e< %t 9ould see8 as i: the little 5irl 5ot no bad reaction to hersel: :ro8 her an5er but; o: course; she did; :or she ne7er could escape :ro8 the sorro9 o: ha7in5 so har8ed her brother<C C%: her brother had been teasin5 her thou5h; and pullin5 her hair; 8a=be; 9ouldnBt she be ri5ht in 5ettin5 an5r=GC C$o; A 9ise 8an once saidH B -here is no such thin5 as ri5hteous indi5nation<C $othin5 that an=one does or sa=s should stir us to an5er< %: 9e see to it that 9e do the ri5ht and 6ind thin5 b= others; and re8e8ber it is onl= our o9n conduct 9e need to criticiIe; % so8e9a= thin6 that other people 9ould soon :ind little char8 in tr=in5 to anno= us< %: the= :ind 9e cannot be anno=ed; the=Bll stop tr=in5 that 6ind o: :un<C Pa5e 9

CBut the little bo=; Auntie; ho9 did he deser7e so 8uch punish8ent :or Fust teasin5 his sisterGC C-hat is one o: those 9a=s :or reaction harder to see; isnBt itG +ell; - he did deser7e it so8e 9a= ) no doubt o: that< 0ou see la9 9ould not be la9 i: it 9ould 9or6 in so8e places and not in others< -here is no happenin5 ) no accident ) reall=< $othin5 8erel= happens ) but it co8es about under la9< %t 8a= be that this little bo= 9as born 9ith a tendenc= to anno= others< %t 8a= be that in so8e other bod= he had li7ed in be:ore; he had cruell= teased so8e un:ortunate person so that it resulted in a lastin5 har8< %: that 9ere so; =ou can see he deser7ed si8ilar su::erin5; canBt =ouGC COh; but so lon5 a5o; Auntie; see8s as i: he 8i5ht be e>cused; 8i5htnBt heGC CAnd 9ho 9ould e>cuse hi8; dearG $o one but hi8sel: can e>cuse hi8< But e7en i: so8e other could and did; do =ou suppose he 9ould ha7e learned his lesson as 9ell as he has to 9hen he hi8sel: 8eets the conseEuences o: 9hat he sees to be 9ron5 actsG -he la9 o:ten see8s to us cruel; but it is onl= Fust and 8erci:ul; =ou can see; i: =ou re8e8ber 9e are in li:e and in bodies to learn ) to beco8e 9ise ) and then to teach others 9ho 6no9 less than 9e do and 9ho 8a6e 8ore 8ista6es< -here are the sa8e lessons :or us all to learn; but so8e learn 8ore Euic6l= than others<C COh; =es; Auntie< +h=; =ou 6no9 +illie Robbins at school see8s ne7er to 5et his lesson in Geo5raph=; e7en 9hen "iss ole 5i7es hi8 an e>tra hal: hour Fust :or thatD +h= is he so slo9; AuntieGC C ear 8e; =oun6its ) here 9e are at ho8e;C lau5hed Aunt Eleanor< C+eBll ha7e to postpone the case o: +illie Robbins; 9onBt 9eGC
Pa5e 13
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER --RE('CAR'A (#'

oroth= and "ilton had started a real 7e5etable 5arden in Aunt EleanorBs bac6 =ard< oroth= 9as raisin5 radishes and cucu8bers; and "ilton 9as 5ro9in5 onions and strin5 beans< Aunt Eleanor had been a :aith:ul all= and ad7iser; and the children spent 8an= a bus= hour di55in5 and 9eedin5 and 9aterin5 and culti7atin5< -he= re8e8bered seein5 "other and Father tendin5 :lo9er beds; but the= the8sel7es had ne7er 5ro9n thin5s be:ore< CAunt Eleanor;C e>clai8ed oroth= one da=; bus= 9ith her tro9el; Bdo =ou re8e8ber that bi5 :lo9er bed "a88a had once; all clear 9hite petunias in the 8iddle and a border o: red 5eraniu8sG "ilton and % lo7ed to 9atch that bed< #uch tin= 8ites o: seed "a88a sprin6led on the so:t soil; and so 8an= tin= plants ca8e upD -he= 5re9 so :ast that al8ost be:ore 9e 6ne9 it; the buds had co8e; and there 9ere lo7el=; s9eet; 9hite blosso8s< But 9hen :all ca8e; Aac6 Frost 6illed the plants and the= 9ere all carried a9a= and burned< $e>t sprin5 "a88a didnBt 8a6e a 5arden; but the petunias ca8e up Fust the sa8e as i: the= had been planted<C C+ere the= just the sa8e; oroth=GC Eueried Aunt Eleanor; C9ere the= Fust as lar5e as the= 9ere the =ear be:ore; and 9ere all the blosso8s pure 9hiteGC C$o; Auntie; % 6no9 the= 9ere s8aller because the= had no care; but % 9anted to as6 =ou; 9h= 9ere so8e o: the blosso8s ne>t ti8e pin6; and so8e 9ith little red spotsGC C+ell; oroth=;C said Aunt Eleanor; Cdo =ou 6no9 the ans9er to that Euestion 9ill help us 9ith the one =ou as6ed =esterda= about +illie RobbinsG For Fust :anc= that =ou and % and all o: us are seeds; li6e the petunia seeds ) 9e; the -hin6ers; % 8ean< +e co8e into the 9orld in babiesB :or8s ) tin= plants ) that 5ro9 up and blosso8 into 8anhood and 9o8anhood; that 5ro9 old; and 9ither and die ) and li6e the dead petunia plants; beco8e ashes a5ain< But 9e; the seeds; still li7e and 9hen the soil and season are ri5ht; 9e enter other tin= bab= :or8s; 5ro9 up; and bloo8 9ith a little di::erent color; or :ra5rance; because beside us; there 9ere other plants; or persons; 9ho in:luenced us :or better or :or 9orse ) Fust as the petunias 9ere tin5ed 9ith the color o: the 5eraniu8s beside the8< %n their petunia 9a=; the= 5ained 6no9led5e o: the 5eraniu8Bs 9a=s; and 9hen their seed sent up :resh plants; these still 6ept the 6no9led5e that the petunia li:e had 5ained< C+hen % 9as a little 5irl; % re8e8ber readin5 9ith deli5ht the stor= o: a drop o: 9ater< %t 9as dra9n b= the sunBs ra=s out o: the ocean; carried in a cloud o7er the spreadin5 countr= to a 8ountain top; there :ell on loose earth; tric6led do9n a led5e to a tin= broo6; 9ith that tra7elled throu5h 8eado9 and :orest to a ri7er; and then b= to9ns and cities bac6 a5ain to the ocean< A5ain it 9as dra9n up b= the sun into clouds; and this ti8e :ell do9n in a cit= street; :ound a strea8 in the 5utter 9here 8err= bo=s 9ere sailin5 boats; :inall= :ound itsel: in a lon5 dar6 pipe; and a5ain 9hen da= ca8e; it 9as once 8ore at ho8e in the ocean< CE7en a drop o: 9ater is a -hin6er in its 9a=; has its o9n 6no9led5e and e>perience< But it doesnBt 6no9 Pa5e 11

it is a drop o: 9ater it doesnBt 6no9 it does ser7ice 9hen it :rees so8e insect :ro8 a perilous position; or re:reshes a :or5et-8e-not< "en and 9o8en; all hu8an bein5s; 6no9 that the= are hu8an bein5s; 6no9 9hen the= are doin5 ser7ice; and onl= in that are the= di::erent :ro8 all the other bein5s and li7es in the 9orld< -he sa8e la9s 5o7ern us that 5o7ern the plant and the drop o: 9ater< +e ta6e the sa8e 6ind o: a li:e Fourne= to learn about 8en and thin5s and oursel7es; and to help others li6e us and all belo9 us; and 9e co8e a5ain and a5ain until 9e ha7e learned all that this earth can teach us ) until 9e ha7e 5i7en all the ser7ice that it needs< C$o9 so8eti8es 9e ne5lect our duties< For that 9e ha7e to pa=< %n school; i: =ou do not stud=; =ou do not learn< %n li:e; it is the sa8e; and i: 9e do not learn the lesson in one li:e; 9e ha7e to ta6e up the sa8e lesson in another bod=< #o8e people are born 9ith bri5hter 8inds than others the= ha7e earned pro8otion to that sort o: 8ind the= ha7e< And then so8e -hin6ers ha7e li7ed in 8ore bodies than ha7e others; and so so8e people see8 9iser than others Fust as children in the ei5hth 5rade see8 9iser than children in the second< C+ell; then 8a= 9e not i8a5ine that +illie Robbins has had less opportunit= to 5ain e>perience in pre7ious li7es; or that so8eti8e he ne5lected his opportunities to learn; so that no9 his tas6 is 8ore di::icultG An=9a=; he has Fust the 6ind o: a 8ind he has earned; and he can train it; and earn a better 8ind both in this li:e; and in other li7es he has to li7e< But those 9ho no9 ha7e bri5hter 8inds are not e>cused :ro8 helpin5 hi8 the 8ore? he 5i7es us in turn our opportunit= to be o: ser7ice< +e can 8ost help those 9ho 6no9 less than 9e 6no9; and i: 9e re:use that help; or ridicule a stupid person; 9e 8a= Euite li6el= earn a less acti7e 8ind oursel7es in so8e other li:e< C% thin6 there is nothin5 9e should all hold in our 8inds 8ore care:ull= than thisH +e are to learn our lessons 9ell; not in order to surpass so8eone else; to 5ain so8e priIe; but that 9e 8a= be the better able to help and teach others learn 9ell; because e7er=thin5 9e ha7e to do; 9e do in realit= :or all ) :or all 8en and creatures e7er=9here< -he= and 9e are all a part o: the 5reat 9hole; and i: 9e learn 9ell; 9e help all others to learn 9ell; Fust b= our o9n learnin5< -hat is 9h= doin5 a 9ron5 and un6ind thin5 brin5s so 8uch trouble and sorro9? 9hether 9e 8ean to or not; 9e cause disturbance to e7er= bein5 in the uni7erse< %: e7er=one reall= did thin6 and act :or e7er= other one; 9ouldnBt it be the happ=; happ= 9orldG *etBs tr= it; an=9a= ) shall 9eGC
Pa5e 1!
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -.$EA H

%t 9as not until late in the su88er that oroth=Bs and "iltonBs :ather ca8e to see the8< And be:ore he ca8e; the= learned 9h= he had see8ed so silent and so sad those last da=s at ho8e< -he= 6ne9 it 9as FatherBs 9ritin5 9hen the= brou5ht the letter in to Aunt Eleanor one 8ornin5; and as6ed her ea5erl= as she opened it; 'Is he co8in5; dear Aunt EleanorGC #tran5el= enou5h; Aunt Eleanor see8ed sad; too; as she read; and there 9ere tears in her e=es 9hen she dre9 the8 to her and said; C0es; dears; =our :ather 9ill be here in Fust one 9ee6< Run no9 and pla= on the Fo= o: that<C #o the= pla=ed and planned; 9ith FatherBs co8in5 upper8ost in their 8inds; =et 9onderin5; too; 9h= Aunt Eleanor 9as sad about it< At ni5ht; in their cose= hour be:ore the snappin5 :ire on the hearth; the= :ound out< CFather 9ants 8e to tell =ou; dears;C be5an Aunt Eleanor so:tl=; Cthat =our s9eet 8other; as =ou re8e8ber her; can ne7er co8e bac6 to =ou :ro8 her lon5 Fourne=< *i6e the petunia plants 9e 9ere tal6in5 o: =esterda=; her 9orn-out bod= has died and 5one; and she is :ree :ro8 all its su::erin5s< %t 9as the Fourne= o: death she too6 9hen =ou; dears; ca8e to 8e< CFather could not bear the pain o: tellin5 =ou then; nor e7en no9< But % thin6 "otherBs 5irl and bo= are 9ise enou5h and bra7e enou5h no9 to 6no9; and the= lo7e her enou5h to :eel that the= are al9a=s close to her; thou5h the= cannot see her :ace< /er lo7e :or =ou and Father did not die 9ith her bod= al9a=s that lo7e o: =ou is a part o: her soul; and e7en no9 she is happ= in that lo7e< #o; too; =our lo7e :or her is a part o: =our soul< %t doesnBt die; because her bod= is dead ) and =ou can be happ= in the lo7e =ou re8e8ber and still ha7e< 0es; and =ou 8ust tr=; dears; to be 5lad :or "other that 6ind eath ca8e to her tired bod=< #he herself li7es Fust as trul= and e7en 8ore happil=< C%: =ou 9ere to lea7e 8e no9 and 5o across the hall; dra9in5 the curtains to5ether so that % could no lon5er see =ou; =ou 9ould not lo7e 8e less; dearsG % should 8iss =ou :ro8 8= side; but still =ou 9ould lo7e 8e; and % =ou< #o it is 9ith "other< 0our bodies :or8 a curtain throu5h 9hich she cannot loo6; because she has not =our sort o: bod= to see throu5h an= lon5er ) but she lo7es =ou Fust the sa8e; :or lo7e doesnBt need to ha7e e=es ) it onl= :eels ) and is o: our 7er= sel: that ne7er dies<C oroth= and "ilton held their heads buried deep in Aunt EleanorBs shoulder; as she tal6ed 5entl= on< CAnd no9; =ouBll soon be 5oin5 to bed and to sleep< 0et =ou ne7er 6ne9 =ou slept; did =ou; dearsG 0ou 6ne9 =ou 9ere 5ettin5 sleep=; but the ne>t thin5 =ou 6ne9; =ou 9ere a9a6e a5ain< 0ouB7e seen other people sleepin5; but =ou =oursel7es donBt 6no9 9hat sleepin5 is< %t is Fust in the sa8e 9a= "other 9ent to sleep in death; but she ne7er 6ne9 death< She did not die< #he 8erel= 9a6ed up a5ain 9ithout the pain and tiredness<
Pa5e 1'

C+hen =ou are asleep; =ou donBt 6no9 an=thin5 about 9hat is 5oin5 on in the street; or do9nstairs; or in the 7er= roo8< 0our bod= is Euiet and 8otionless ) Euite dead; reall= ) e>cept that 9hen =ou 9a6en; =ou can set it 5oin5 a5ain; li6e a cloc6 that has run do9n and needs onl= 9indin5< %n sleep; 9e all o: us :or a ti8e lea7e our bodies behind us; and li7e in other bodies o: our souls< %n the8; 9e are :ree to do 9hate7er 9e please; and 9e see6 out our heartBs desires< &ntouched b= sorro9; 9e 6no9 and li7e 9ith those 9e lo7e; 9hether the= ha7e bodies the= can 9a6en a5ain; or not< Each ni5ht in sleep; then; % doubt not =ou see and lo7e both =our :ather and =our 8other? % doubt not the= both lo7e =ou and deli5ht in =ou and teach =ou to be stron5 and bra7e and true<C COh; but Auntie;C sobbed oroth=; Ci: in the 8ornin5 9e could onl= re8e8berDC
C0es; but so8eti8es 9e do< #o8eti8es 9e 9a6en re8e8berin5 a drea8 touch; or 6iss; or 9ord; so real 9e 9anted not to 9a6e< %t is the realness ) the :eelin5 o: nearness ) that is trul= re8e8berin5; and oh; it is 7er= s9eet and preciousDC -he= sat then a :e9 8inutes be:ore the :ire; co8:orted and Euiet< Onl= 9hen Aunt Eleanor tuc6ed the8 in did oroth= cr= outC COh; but "a88a 9ill ne7er tuc6 us in a5ain DC C-r= not to cr=; oroth= dear< Aust thin6 that no9 =ou 9ill la= =our bod= do9n to rest; 9hile =ou =oursel: 5o 9here "other is< Be 9ith her b= ni5ht; e7en thou5h =ou 8iss her b= da=< 0ou; and not "other; 6no9 eath; because =ou 8iss her bodil= presence< -hen thin6; that so8eti8e a5ain; 9hen =ou; too; ha7e put o:: these bodies li6e clothes that ha7e 5ro9n ra55ed and old? 9hen =ou; too; ha7e had a peace:ul; happ= rest a9a= :ro8 the 9orld 9here e7er=one is doin5 battle to learn; - in ne9er; better bodies; =ou 9ill ha7e =our 8other a5ain; in her ne9er; better bod= ) =ou 9ill 6no9 a5ain that happiness 9ith her; no9 passed a9a= :or a ti8e< Goodni5ht; dear ones C ) Aunt Eleanor 8ur8ured lo9; :or alread= the tired e=es had closed; and oroth= and "ilton 9ere lon5 on the 9a= to rea8land<
Pa5e 1,
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -/PRA0ER

%t 9as a red-letter da=; 9hen at last to9ard its close; oroth=Bs and "iltonBs :ather ca8e< For a special treat the= curled up beside hi8 in :ront o: the :ire; a 9hole hour be=ond bedti8e; and then he 9ent upstairs 9ith the8; and tuc6ed each one into bed< oroth= 9hispered to hi8 as he 6issed herH C%t is so 5ood to hu5 8= dear :ather a5ain;C And "ilton called a:ter hi8 sleepil=H C#ho9 =ou 8= ne9 little cucu8bers in the 8ornin5; add=<C /ad the= but 6no9n it; Father Foined Aunt Eleanor 9ith 8ore happiness in his heart than he had :elt :or 8an= a da=< -here 9as a 5lint o: a8use8ent in his e=e; 9hen he said to herH C% notice the 6iddies didnBt ha7e an= B$o9 % la= 8eC to sa=; Eleanor< % supposed all respectable children said their pra=ers<C C-hen %B8 a:raid =our children are 7er= disrespectable; Richard;C Aunt Eleanor ans9ered; Cbecause %B7e been teachin5 the8 9hat 8a6es such a pra=er as B$o9 % la= 8e;C see8 absurd< -he picture o: a *ord sittin5 on a hi5h throne; 9ith his hands :ull o: childrenBs souls (e7identl= o: so8e easil= handled 8aterial o: con7enient siIe) :or 9hich he :inds a capacious poc6et; in case the child doesnBt 9a6en a5ain ) see8s to 8e an insult to an= childBs intelli5ence< For the child is a soul ) a Percei7er ) hi8sel: the *ord; one 9ith the per7asi7e; sustainin5 principle o: all li:e and bein5 ) and the onl= God he can e7er 6no9; or pra= to< -rue pra=er is reall= the co88and o: that hi5h God 9ithin to the lo9er nature to beco8e one 9ith it< -he usual pra=er is a petition :or so8ethin5 not earned nor deser7ed< As i: the law o: our o9n bein5 could be suspended at our capriceD CB= the 9a=; % tried to transpose those little 7erses one da=; so as to su55est the ri5ht thou5ht on 5oin5 to sleep< % didnBt ha7e 7er= 5ood luc6; :or it needs a poet; but %Bll repeat the8 to =ou; and 8a=be =ou can catch the idea< % la= 8= bod= do9n to sleep; -he 9hile 8= soul doth 7i5il 6eep< "= bod= lies all still the ni5ht; "= soul 5oes :ree in lands o: li5ht< O; 9hat % learn; 8a= % brin5 bac6 -o 5uide upon this dail= trac6 O: lo7e and dut=; Fo= and pain ) And so GodBs ser7ice % 8aintain<
Pa5e 1.

C0ou see; Richard; that 8a6es clear our continuous e>istence ) that 9e are not our bodies; and that 9hile our bodies sleep; our souls ha7e a li:e o: their o9n; in 9hich the= 8a= recei7e; or 5i7e; help and instruction< % donBt 6no9 ho9 8an= souls 9ould ha7e the coura5e to 5o on; 9ere it not :or this li:e o: the soul in sleep; 9hich sustains the8 in the trials in the bod=< E7en cri8inals ha7e respite :ro8 9ic6edness in sleep; and therein is al9a=s a seed :or their re:or8ation<C C4er= interestin5; Eleanor< But did =ou 8a6e a9a= 9ith the *ordBs Pra=er so easil=GC CRichard; do =ou realiIe that is the one pra=er that Aesus 5a7e; and that his co88and 9as to pra= in secretG %: =ou 9ish; % 9ill e>plain that to =ou; too; as % did to the children; o: course< -he= sa= that pra=er at the openin5 o: school; =ou 6no9; and % told the8 that 9hile 8an= people sa= it; :e9 understand 9hat it 8eans ) that 9hen the= repeated it 9ith others; % hoped that the= 9ould re8e8ber its true 8eanin5< B Our Father 9hich art in /ea7enC 8eans that God within; 9hich 9e are< (B-he (in5do8 o: /ea7en is 9ithinB 9as the teachin5)< B/allo9ed be th= $a8eB; is ri5htl= translated B %ntoned be th= $a8eB ) such a soundin5 ha7in5 the tendenc= to rouse the hi5her nature; and call the lo9er to attention< B-h= 6in5do8 co8e; th= 9ill be done on earth as it is in /ea7en;B 8eans; 8a= the 9ill o: the ind9ellin5 spirit be done in the bod=< For our bodies are our earths< +e couldnBt 6no9 a sin5le thin5 about earth; i: 9e didnBt ha7e bodies to learn throu5h< BGi7e us this da= our dail= bread;B 8eans; 8a= 9e recei7e spiritual :ood :ro8 our hi5her aspirations< BFor5i7e us our debts; as 9e :or5i7e our debtors;B 8eans ) realiIin5 that all 8en are the sa8e in 6ind; let us not Fud5e or conde8n an= other< B-hine be the 5lor=B is a5ain a har6in5 bac6 to the one Realit= ) the real part o: us ) :ro8 the basis o: 9hich; and :or 9hich; e7er= action should proceed< -he BA8enB is reall= that sounded B+ordB a5ain; 9hich =ou o:ten see 9ritten in Eastern 9ritin5s ) and occurs in B -he *i5ht o: AsiaB as O8 ) the #ans6rit 9ord; standin5 :or that God 9ithin; the #el: o: all thin5s and creatures<C C/B8 ) 9ell; itBs reasonable; an=9a=< #o 5o ahead as :ar as =ou li6e 9ith the 6iddies< "a=be the=Bll be teachin5 8e so8e da=< +ho 6no9sG %B8 prett= sure; i: %Bd 6no9n these thin5s at their a5e; % shouldnBt ha7e been the poor; scared little rat % 9as then< +h=; do =ou 6no9; Eleanor; that idea o: God 9atchin5 8e e7er= 8inute; read= to pounce on 8e 9ith a bi5 stic6; i: % didnBt do the ri5ht thin5; 8ade 8e a little crin5in5 co9ardD C-he= couldnBt tell 8e God 9as B5ood;B i: he 9as a-na55in5 li6e that 9ith his e=es all the ti8e< And the 7er= thou5ht that God too6 care o: 8e 9hile % slept 8ade 8e :eel there 9as so8ethin5 a9:ul to be a:raid o:; i: he had to be so care:ul as all that< O: course; as % 5re9 older; % sa9 that such a God 9as no :riend to an= 8an; but % did 6no9 that % su::ered i: % did 9ron5; and concluded that i: % did the best % could; it 9as all the 9isest bein5 could e>pect o: 8e< At least; % can sa=; % ha7enBt been a co9ard since % 5a7e up the idea o: God as an e>tra-siIed; po9er:ul 8an-bein5<C C0ou are :ortunate; Richard; :or it see8s to 8e there are a 5reat 8an= 5ro9n-up co9ards in the 9orld; because the= still belie7e in that bo5e= 8an-God< -he= are a:raid to die; and a:raid to li7e; a:raid o: their :ello98en; a:raid all the ti8e o: 9hat 8a= happen to their precious bodies ) 9hich are in realit= not the8sel7es at all< O: course; :ear al9a=s co8es :ro8 i5norance; and it is the 8ost pitiable i5norance not to 6no9 that all bein5s are in essence that one #upre8e Realit= ) a 5reat chain o: Brotherhood do9n to the s8allest ato8 that onl= the la9 o: our deathless; eternal bein5 8etes out Fustice; - re9ard; or punish8ent that the purpose o: li:e is to learn; it 8atters not under 9hat conditions< %ndeed; the onl= thin5 Pa5e 16

9e ha7e to :ear is doin5 9ron5 to others< But =ou 8ust be tired; Richard; a:ter =our Fourne=< % 8ustnBt tal6 =ou :ro8 =our rest<C C$o; reall=; Eleanor;C he ans9ered; as he 9ent upstairs; C%B8 rested alread=; as i: %Bd been breathin5 :resh air< Good ni5ht<C
Pa5e 11
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -1H#W W#R,$S BE"A'

+ith FatherBs co8in5; the da=s 9ere 8uch happier :or oroth= and "ilton< E7er= 8ornin5 the= 9al6ed 9ith hi8 to the Ban6 9here he 9as bus= all da=; and it 9as not lon5 a:ter :our oBcloc6; 9hen he 9as read= to 5o ho8e 9ith the8< -hen the= all 9or6ed in the 5arden to5ether; or as the short colder da=s ca8e on; read; and tal6ed; and pla=ed 5a8es indoors 9ith hi8 and Aunt Eleanor< #o8eti8es the= hurried Father ho8e 7er= :ast; as on the ni5ht 9hen Aunt Eleanor 9as to tell the8 be:ore dinner ho9 9orlds 9ere 8ade< "ilton had been ea5erl= thin6in5 about it :or so8e ti8e; and he said to his :ather as he s6ipped alon5H C add=; this to9n 9asnBt al9a=s here; 9as itGC C$o; son<C C$or this state; nor this A8ericaGC C$o; son<C C-hen; there 8ust ha7e been a ti8e 9hen there 9asnBt an= 9orld; eitherGC CAust so<C C+ell; add=; 9here 9ere 9e 9hen there 9asnBt an= earth to li7e onGC C+e al9a=s 9ere; add=; so 9e 8ust ha7e been so8e9here;C bro6e in C/o9 do =ou 6no9 that 9e al9a=s 9ere; little 5irlG As6ed her Father< C+ell; =ou see; add=; 9e canBt thin6 oursel7es as nothin5< +e can thin6 that the 9hole 9orld and e7er=bod= in it burned and there is nothin5 to see but Fust dar6ness< Onl= 9ho is loo6in5 at the dar6nessG +e are; arenBt 9eG +e Fust are; thatBs all<C C0ouBre Euite ri5ht; dau5hter;C Father ans9ered; as the= 9ent into the house; Cand % :anc= that Aunt Eleanor 9ill ans9er "iltonBs Euestion in her stor= toni5ht<C C0es;C Aunt Eleanor be5an; C9e oursel7es; the Percei7ers; - 9e onl= ) ne7er had a be5innin5< E7er= Pa5e 12 oroth=<

to9n; or cit=; or countr=; or continent; or 9orld had its be5innin5; and 9ill ha7e its endin5< And there ha7e been 8an= 9orlds be:ore this 9e no9 li7e in that be5an; and 5re9; deca=ed; and perished ) to be born a5ain as other 9orlds< COur "oon that 9e see in the s6= is Fust an old dead 9orld; 9here 9e once li7ed; but ca8e a9a= :ro8 because there 9as no 8ore :or us to learn there< -he li:e that 9as on the "oon has no9 another bod= in this Earth< 4er= 9ise 8en 9ho stud= the hea7ens ha7e disco7ered throu5h telescopes si5ns o: hu8an 9or6s there; and 8an= belie7e there are still inhabitants< -he truth is that the "oon is a slo9l= deca=in5 corpse; and b= the ti8e 9e 5et read= to lea7e our Earth; the "oon 9ill ha7e entirel= 5one to dust; 9hile our Earth; or planet; 9ill be a "oon to the ne>t ne9 Earth 9e shall build< C+e ha7e our da=s and ni5hts planets ha7e their da=s and ni5hts< +hen 9e die; 9e ha7e a lon5er ni5ht ti8e? planets ha7e their lon5er ni5ht ti8es e7en the 9hole &ni7erse itsel: has a da= and a ni5ht< *et us suppose that 9e are in the ni5ht ti8e o: the &ni7erse<C COh; =es; Auntie; 9here 9ould 9e beG As6ed "ilton ea5erl=< C+here are 9e 9hen 9e are asleepG +e are not usin5 these outer bodies that 9e see; thou5h 9e do use other :iner bodies; and 9a6en to use these outer bodies a5ain ne>t da=< #o in the ni5ht o: the &ni7erse; 9e are not usin5 an= part o: the bodies 9e had use o: in its da=ti8e< %n that one state; 9e share the 6no9led5e all other bein5s ha7e brou5ht into it< +e are not separate :ro8 each other an= 8ore ) the :inest bodies 9e e7er had are blended in one substance ) 9e are all Percei7ers; 9ith nothin5 to percei7e; restin5 in the Great ar6ness; until the Great a=< C#o; "ilton; =ou see; there isnBt an= B9hereB at all ) 9e arenBt in an= place ) 9e Fust areD And 9hen the Great a= co8es< +e each co8e out a5ain; clothed in ne9 bodies; and separatel= ta6e up our tas6s a5ain in a di::erent 9orld< *on5; lon5 thou5hts; arenBt the= dearsG And 8an= 9iser than =ou 9ould not sa= the= co8prehend the8 clearl=< C+ell; let us Fust :anc= that 9e are loo6in5 on at this Great ar6ness< #o8e9here in it all; b= and b=e; 9e should see a point o: li5ht appearin5; then other points; 9hich soon 9ould be5in to collect other drops o: li5ht; as a sno9ball 5athers sno9; then to 9hirl around in a :ier= 8ist= cloud that =et is cold< -his 8ist= cloud is 9hat is called in these da=s; nebulous 8atter< %n *atin; the 9orld BnebulaB 8eans cloud< 0ou can see it an= bri5ht ni5ht in the s6= in 9hat % ha7e pointed out to =ou as B-he "il6= +a=<B And =ou can Fust thin6 o: 9hat =ou are loo6in5 at; that it too; 8a=be; is 5ettin5 read= to 8a6e a ne9 9orld in the 5reat &ni7erse< CAs this cloud=; 8ist= cold :ire 9hirls round and round; it 5ro9s thic6er and bri5hter 9ith the 8otion ) :or at :irst it 9as thinner e7en than air ) and it beco8es thic6 as 9ater< -hen; 9hen the outside o: the ball cools o::; and hardens; 9e ha7e earth; thou5h inside it is so 7er= hot that it actuall= boils o7er; and 8a6es 8ountains and 7alle=s on that coolin5 earth crust ) as =ou see the8 on =our relie: 8aps at school<C
Pa5e 19

CAnd then; ri5ht o::; Auntie; 9ere there trees and :lo9ers Fust as the= are no9G As6ed oroth=<
COh; no; C Aunt Eleanor 9ent on< C+hen this 5lobe o: ours 9as 7er= ne9; it 9as co7ered 9ith 9ater ) Euite 9ar8 9ater; too; and the plants and ani8als 5ro9in5 in it 9ere tre8endous; lar5er than an=thin5 =ou can i8a5ine< And the 8en 9ere li6e 5iants ) not li6e people; as the= loo6 no9 ) but 5lobular in shape ) 9ithout bones ) and al8ost transparent; li6e Fell=< "an be5an to ha7e bones 12;333;333 =ears a5o< C%ts hard to i8a5ine such a lon5 ti8e; isnBt it; e7en i: one should be a hundred =ears oldG And 9ouldnBt it see8 :oolish i: 9e could li7e onl= those :e9 =ears on an earth so 7er=; 7er= oldG But 9e ha7e li7ed on it thousands o: li7es; =ou see; in other bodies 9e ha7e had< C+ell; it too6 8an= 8illions o: =ears :or the earth to 5et cool and hard and s8all as it is no9; 9ith 8en and ani8als all s8aller to :it it< %n all that ti8e; =ou 8ust re8e8ber; the 5lobe has 5one throu5h 8an= chan5es< +e are the :i:th 5reat race o: people 9ho ha7e li7ed on it; and a:ter 9e ha7e learned all 9e can :ro8 it as it is; there 9ill co8e :loods; and earthEua6es; that 9ill send 8ountains do9n into the sea and brin5 up land that once belon5ed to a continent no9 buried there; and there 9ill be a ne9 continent< #o8ethin5 o: the sort is 5oin5 on b= de5rees all the ti8e< 0ou 9ill re8e8ber the terrible :loods and earthEua6es all o7er the 9orld; and especiall= in Aapan; in Aanuar= 191,G -he reall= 5reat chan5e 9ill not co8e till the a>is o: the earth tips so that it 9ill 8a6e su88er 9here no9 is 9inter; and 9inter 9here su88er is no9< All that is so :ar a9a= in the 7ast :uture that it does not pro:it us to thin6 o: it ) onl= it e>plains 9h= bones o: tropical ani8als and tropical plants are :ound up in Greenland< C But be:ore that ne9 5reat continent co8es up out o: the ocean :or the 5reat si>th race to d9ell upon; there are t9o di7isions; called sub-races; o: the :i:th 5reat race =et to co8e< -he si>th sub-race is e7en no9 be5innin5 to :or8 here in A8erica; thou5h it 9ill be 16;333 =ears be:ore it has :ull= arri7ed< -hen; too; there 9ill be 8an= chan5es in lands and 9aters< -hat race in another !.;333 =ears 9ill be preparin5 :or the ne>t sub-race; the se7enth and last o: the :i:th 5reat race< -hen 9hen the se7enth sub-race is throu5h; $ature 9ill be5in her sprin5 house cleanin5 and 5et read= :or the co8pan= o: the si>th root race< #heBll ta6e a8ple ti8e to do it; too; % assure =ou< $ature is ne7er in a hurr=< C% thin6; so8e9a=; i: 9e are al9a=s 8ind:ul o: ho9 bi5 li:e is ) ho9 lon5 our 9orld has e>isted ) in ho9 8an= bodies and races 9e oursel7es ha7e li7ed be:ore ) ho9 e7er=thin5 in the 7ast 9orld is e7er chan5in5; and onl= 9e oursel7es ) the Percei7ers ) re8ain unchan5ed to see all the chan5es ) it 9ill be easier :or us to be unsel:ish ) to act so that 9e 8a= be help:ul in all the 9or6s and chan5es o: $ature ) and help:ul o: all our brothers 9ho li7e and learn throu5h the8 all<C And then $orah called the8 to dinner; so that the Euestions 8ust 9ait :or the 8orro9<
Pa5e !3
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -2HE &AS ERS

CAunt Eleanor;C be5an "ilton at the brea6:ast table ne>t 8ornin5; B% donBt see ho9 an=one can 6no9 about the 9orld as it 9as 8illions o: =ears a5o; 9hen it has been destro=ed so 8an= ti8es< Please; 9here did =ou :ind out about it; and ho9 do =ou 6no9 that itBs all trueGC C+ell; dear; =ou learn :ro8 8e; donBt =ou; because % 6no9 8ore than =ou doG Aust so; % ha7e learned :ro8 those older and 9iser than %< -here is al9a=s so8eone to learn :ro8; and al9a=s so8eone to teach<C COh; Auntie;C bro6e in oroth=; B% 9as thin6in5 about that ) and 9ho 9as there to teach 9hen this 9orld be5anG +erenBt all the people ne9 on earthGC C-he= all had ne9 bodies on the ne9 earth; oroth=< But; =ou see; the= had all had other bodies on other earths< #o the :irst -eachers on this earth 9ere those 9ho 9hen the "oon 9as an earth li6e this; had 5ro9n to be the 9isest o: 8en; and 9ere able to choose to co8e to the ne9 earth to help and teach those 9ho alread= had been their =oun5er brothers<C CAre those -eachers still on earth; AuntieGC as6ed "ilton< C#o8e are; surel=< -he= are 9here7er the= can best help< #o8e a5ain 8a= ha7e been needed on an older earth than this; and ha7e passed o7er the 9or6 o: this earth to another -eacher; 9hose 9isdo8 is also 5reat< +here7er the= 8a= be; the= are 9here the= are 8ost needed ) because the= are 9ise< And 9e 8ust al9a=s re8e8ber; dears; that Fust as these "asters o: +isdo8 are 9iser than 9e; so 9e are 9iser than the sa7a5es o: A:rica Fust as those "asters o: +isdo8 help us; althou5h 9e do not see the8; so 9e; b= unsel:ish thou5hts and deeds help the8; - as 9ell as the A:rican sa7a5e; the ani8al in the :orest; and the 7er= 5rain o: sand upon the shore< +e are all cli8bin5 up the 5reat stair9a= o: *i:e; and the hi5her each one 5oes; the hi5her run5 he lea7es :or those belo9 hi8 to cli8b upon<C C-hen; Auntie; see8s as i: it doesnBt 8atter i: 9e are rich and :a8ous; but onl= i: 9e 6no9 ho9 to help others< %s that itGC C#urel=; "ilton< All the riches and :a8e in the 9orld are useless; i: the= are not used to help others< Riches and :a8e are not 9ron5 in the8sel7es; but 9ron5 as the= ha7e been 5ained sel:ishl= ) as the= are used sel:ishl=< %: 9e are tr=in5 to ser7e; instead o: to be ser7ed; 9e 8a= not be 7er= :a8ous; and 9e 8a= not be 7er= rich; but 9eBll 6no9 9hat riches cannot bu=< #uch 6no9led5e these Elder Brothers ha7e< C0ou as6ed 8e; "ilton; ho9 an=one can 6no9 about earth as it 9as 8illions o: =ears a5o< -hose 9ise Elder Brothers ha7e 6ept the records o: those ti8es; and o: all the races that ha7e perished or still e>ist Pa5e !1

on the earth<C C+h=; did the= ha7e boo6s then; Auntie; Fust li6e those 9e ha7e no9GC as6ed oroth=<
C-heir boo6s did not loo6 li6e ours; =ou 8ust understand< #o8eti8es the records 9ere 9ritten on 8etal discs; on 9a>en tablets; on pal8 lea7es; on stone< 0ou could not read the8; no 8atter i: =ou can read in the Fourth Reader; :or the= are 9ritten in the si5ns o: a lan5ua5e no lon5er used; 9hich 5reat scholars can read onl= a:ter 8an= =ears o: labour and stud=< &suall= these records ha7e been preser7ed in ca7es under the 5round ) cut in the roc6 ) e7en under 7ast stretches o: desert sand; that ha7e piled o7er buried cities< For 9hile 8an= cities and 8an= races ha7e perished ) there has al9a=s been so8eone le:t as a 9itness; so8eone to 5uard the ancient records until the ti8e co8es :or 8en to use the8 9isel=< -hen the Elder Brothers send a -eacher into the 9orld to teach 9hat these records hold ) and 8ore; 9hich the= can onl= 5i7e to others as the= spea6 it< CAs =ou 5ro9 older; =ou 9ill :ind the na8es o: these -eachers 9ith e7er= race in histor=< %t is onl= about :ort= =ears a5o since -he= sent the last -eacher< #he 9as 6no9n in the 9orld as "ada8e Bla7ats6=; and "r< +8< @< Aud5e helped her 9ith her 9or6< (And; b= the 9a=; all the bo=s and 5irls 9ho 6ne9 "r< Aud5e 7oted hi8 their best :riend and pla=8ate<) "ada8e Bla7ats6= studied these ancient 9ritin5s and put the8 into our lan5ua5e :or us ) and she 5a7e her 9hole li:e to 8a6e the truth plain to us< #o; 9hen =ou as6 8e; ho9 do % 6no9 these :ara9a= thin5s are true; %Bll ha7e to tell =ou that to 8e the= see8 to be true because the= a5ree 9ith 8an= records; and all the :acts % see and 6no9< "ada8e Bla7ats6= sho9s 8e plainl= ho9 reasonable the 9hole uni7erse is; and because 9hate7er else she said % could pro7e :or 8=sel: % ha7e :ound is true; % trust her also to 6no9 those thin5s that % ha7e not =et pro7ed :or 8=sel:<C C"ada8e 8ust be the 9isest one =ou e7er 6ne9; then; AuntieGC oroth= Euestioned< C0es; dear< % couldnBt be5in to 8a6e =ou understand ho9 9ise she 9as< But; an=9a=; the 9isest 8en o: Europe sat and listened to her ) and ho9e7er di::erentl= the= belie7ed; the= could not contradict her<C CBut =ou said the Elder Brothers sent herG +h= didnBt the= co8e the8sel7es; AuntieGC C+ell; =ou see; i: the= had co8e; so beauti:ul and per:ect as the= are; people 9ould ha7e :allen do9n and 9orshipped the8; instead o: see6in5 out the truth; and thin6in5 :or the8sel7es< And then the people 9ouldnBt ha7e been an= 9iser than be:ore; 9ould the=G -he= sent one 9ith a bod= such as 9e all ha7e; that 9e should pa= attention not to that bod= or person; but to the 9ords and lessons tau5ht< And no9; o: course; a:ter all these =ears; 9e realiIe that onl= a Great Bein5 could ha7e been trusted to do that 9or6<C C+here do these Elder Brothers li7e; AuntieGC as6ed "ilton< C+h=; the= li7e in all parts o: the 9orld; thou5h :e9 6no9 Fust 9here the= are< -hose 9ho tau5ht "ada8e Pa5e !!

Bla7ats6= li7e be=ond the hi5h /i8ala=an "ountains< But it is 8ore i8portant that 9e should be learnin5 9hat the= 5a7e us to learn; than to thin6 about 9here the= li7e or 9hat the= are doin5< $ot bein5 7er= 9ise oursel7es; 9e could not understood the li:e o: such +ise Ones<C -hen Father bro6e in ) C#hould =ou sa=; Eleanor; that Aesus 9as one o: those Elder BrothersGC C#urel=< And isnBt it stran5e that 9hen these "essen5ers co8e; there are so :e9 to realiIe their 5reatnessG Onl=; a:ter hundreds o: =ears did people be5in to see in the despised carpenter; son o: Aoseph; a 5reat -eacher< /e tau5ht 9hat Buddha and Con:ucius tau5ht< All these 5reat -eachers sa= the sa8e 5reat thin5s to 8en< -he= all 6no9 each other -he= 6no9 the sa8e thin5s to be true -he= co8e :ro8 the sa8e place; on the sa8e 8ission ) to tell 8en those thin5s that are true and that 9ill lead the8 on to 9isdo8< CPeople are o:ten 7ain o: their learnin5 and proud; and the= do not li6e ideas that 9ould sho9 their o9n to be 9ron5< -hose that co8e to brin5 true ideas are not 7ain or proud; and because the= do not sound their o9n tru8pets; as co88on 8en do; are despised; e>cept b= a :e9< -hen as the =ears 5o on; little b= little; their ideas ta6e hold ) the old ideas are pro7ed to be :alse b= :resh disco7eries ) and 8en :inall= see that a "essen5er has been a8on5 the8; ea5er onl= to 5i7e true ideas; and the= ha7e not reco5niIed hi8 or been 5rate:ul<C COh; Auntie;C oroth= Euestioned; breathlessl=; Csupposin5 such a +ise Person could li7e 9ith us e7er= da=; ho9 9ould 9e 6no9 he 9as 9iseGC C+ell; dear ) not because an=one else told =ou he 9as 9ise< 0ou 9ould 6no9 it b= 9hat he said< %: he hi8sel: said he 9as 9ise; =ou 9ould 6no9 it could not be so< All do9n the a5es the Great -eachers ne7er told 8en to loo6 at the8; but onl= to loo6 at the truth the= brou5ht< -hen =ou 9ould stud= their 9ords to see i: the= e>plained all else =ou alread= 6ne9< For i: the= 9ere true; the= 9ould e>plain all thin5s e7er=9here ) and lea7e nothin5 out<C -hen Father Fu8ped up and 6issed the8 all 5ood-b=e; sa=in5H C%Bll ha7e to run to the Ban6 to 5et there in ti8e this 8ornin5< Be sure to 8eet 8e toni5ht; 6iddiesDC
Pa5e !'
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER-3F#R&ER C#' ('E' S

o =ou 6no9; Auntie;C be5an oroth= one 8ornin5 at brea6:ast; C% li6e 8= Geo5raph= lessons e7er so 8uch better since =ou told us ho9 9orlds be5an and ho9 the= chan5e and 5ro9< And % can see on the 8ap Fust the 7er= places 9here once the land 8ust ha7e been that connected these 5reat continents and then bro6e o:: :ro8 the 8ainland; and % can al8ost i8a5ine the shape o: the lands that used to be< o =ou suppose; i: % brou5ht 8= 5eo5raph= ho8e toni5ht; =ou could sho9 us Fust 9here those continents are buried under the seaG And tell us their na8esGC C+ell; dear;C ans9ered Aunt Eleanor; Cthat 9ould be :un :or us all; %C8 sure< Onl= about the na8es; o: course; =ou 9ill ha7e to re8e8ber that 9e are usin5 the lan5ua5e o: this continent and this 5reat race no9< +hile there are +ise "en 9ho 6no9 those ancient na8es; the= 6no9 the8 in such di::erent :or8s :ro8 an= lan5ua5e 9e spea6; it is useless :or us to be told the8< #o 9e 5i7e these buried continents na8es in our lan5ua5e< $or can % 5i7e =ou an e>act 8ap o: these old continents ) but Fust a 5eneral idea as to 9here land once 9as; and 9here later it 9as not< But it 9ill be interestin5 to 5o o7er it to5ether; a:ter dinner< #o brin5 =our 5eo5raphies ho8e; and %Bll hunt up a 5lobe % ha7e upstairs that 9ill help; too<C -his is the 9a= Aunt Eleanor described those buried lands that e7enin5; as a so:t 5entle rain :ell outside; and 8ade ho8e see8 a cose= nest :or a birdBs e=e 7ie9 o: the a5es< -he :irst land cro9ned the $orth Pole li6e a s6ullcap; and is called C-he %8perishable #acred *and<C But +ise "en sa= this land is still there 9here it :irst be5an; and 9ill al9a=s be there till this earth has passed a9a=< %n realit=; neither Capt< Pear= nor r< Coo6e e7er reached the $orth Pole; 9hich is be=ond an inland sea; :ar; :ar be=ond the :roIen :ields o: sno9 and ice< #o8e arctic tra7ellers ha7e seen that sea; but the= thou5ht it 9as a 8ira5e< +ell; then; Fust let us i8a5ine that Bs6ullcapB as the head o: the 9orld; and that inland sea as her nec6< $o9; 9e shall :ind the #econd Continent ) the B/=perborean;B stretchin5 out her shoulders south9ard and 9est9ard :ro8 the nec6; and co8prisin5 the 9hole o: 9hat is no9 6no9n as $orthern Asia< 0ou 9ill read o: this land 9hen =ou co8e to stud= Ancient Greece; thou5h the boo6s 9ill 8a6e =ou thin6 it 9as onl= a stran5e :air=-tale o: the Gree6s< #o =ou see; $orthern Asia is the oldest land 9e 6no9 o: in these da=s ) and has been peopled in turn b= the #econd; -hird; Fourth; and Fi:th races< 0ou can 5et a better idea o: this continent :ro8 the 5lobe here< %t be5an on a line abo7e the 8ost northern part o: #pitIber5en; and on the side o: the +estern he8isphere included lands no9 occupied b= Ba::inBs Ba=; 9ith nei5hbourin5 islands and pro8ontories< On the Eastern he8isphere it reached as :ar as (a8schat6a< -he continent 9as in the shape o: a horseshoe; =ou see; - the inner ed5e connectin5 the northern part o: no9 Greenland 9ith the northern part (a8schat6a b= the coasts o: Eastern and +estern #iberia the lo9er cur7e o: the horseshoe probabl= too6 in the southern end o: Greenland and the southern part o: (a8schat6a< All around this horseshoe; o: course; =ou 8ust picture an i88ense ocean ) :ro8 9hich =et other lands are to e8er5e; :or the use o: the -hird Race< -heir continent 9e 9ill call *e8uria< Pa5e !,

+e 8ust not suppose; thou5h; that an old continent 9ent do9n all at once; and a ne9 one ca8e up in the sa8e 9a= to ta6e its place< -he -hird Continent contained so8e o: the #econd Continent 8ainland; and a5ain #econd Continent land beca8e islands 9ith ba=s or straits bet9een< -hen land 6ept e8er5in5 to the south o: 9here =ou pictured the #econd Continent as the shoulders o: the earth? no9 she see8s to be :or8in5 a tre8endous bod=< Aust :anc= a continent bi5 enou5h to include the %ndian; the Atlantic; and the Paci:ic oceansD ) #ee; %Bll dra9 lines o7er =our 8ap to sho9 =ou its 5eneral shape< /ere a5ain 9e ha7e rather o: a horseshoe; the inland sea; that 8a6es its center; co7erin5 8ost o: A:rica and Europe and the countr= north o: the /i8ala=as in Asia? 9hile there is le:t o: us 8ost o: the #econd Continent land; and =ou see the British %sles ha7e co8e out o: the sea< -he Australia o: the present ti8e is a re8nant o: that 5i5antic continent; 9hich reached o7er to A8erica ) includin5 part o: Cali:ornia; *o9er Cali:ornia and Central A8erica< -hen; too; Alas6a 9as not disconnected b= Behrin5Bs #traits< $e>t the continent o: Atlantis rises :ro8 the ocean :loor; or 5re9; 9e 8i5ht sa=; :ro8 the Atlantic portion o: *e8uria; 9hile the Paci:ic and %ndian portion 9ere :allin5 to pieces< Atlantis co7ered the 9hole o: the $orth and #outh Atlantic re5ions; portions o: the $orth and #outh Paci:ic; and had islands e7en in the %ndian Ocean< %n :act; =ou see; i: so8eone had se7en-lea5ue boots; he could ha7e 9al6ed ri5ht o7er :ro8 %ndia to the A8ericaBs 9ithout 9ettin5 his :eet< -hat is ho9 it happens that 9e ha7e the sa8e trees and :lo9ers here as in the other continent no9 ) because the= 9ere once connected< -here is so 8uch to tell about Atlantis< "an= scientists ha7e 9ritten about it; and 9hen =ou are older =ou 9ill :ind a 9hole boo6 9ritten o: it ( onnell=Bs Atlantis) 9hich tells about the people; their arts and sciences; and 8onu8ents< For the= 9ere 7er= 9ise; those AtlanteansD -he= had a lan5ua5e; an alphabet; boo6s< And the= 6ne9 8an= thin5s 9e are no9 tr=in5 to :ind out< -he= had better aircra:t then than 9e ha7e no9; as 9ell as telephones; and :ar 8ore 9ise ph=sicians< Al8ost e7er= da= there are :resh disco7eries that point to these ancient peoples< E7en the ancient E5=ptians 9ere not so 9ise; thou5h :ro8 the Atlanteans their 6no9led5e ca8e< %snBt it interestin5 that the na8e Atlantis reall= 9as a na8e used on this old continentG %t isnBt a Gree6 9ord; as 9e 8i5ht i8a5ine< A cit= na8ed BAtlanB e>isted in arien 9hen Colu8bus 8ade his disco7er=; and there are se7eral 9ords in the -oltec lan5ua5e that belon5 9ith it< -hen; too; A8erica is a nati7e 9ord< %n Central A8erica is a 8ountain ran5e called BA8eric;B and it is :ar 8ore li6el= A8erica 9as reall= na8ed :ro8 that; than :or A8erico 4espuccio< (An=9a=; his na8e 9as Alberico; not A8erico<) -his continent o: Atlantis 9as distin5uished b= its hi5h 8ountains ) Fust as 9as *e8uria b= its 5reat ri7ers< (-he +ealden in En5land is the bed o: one o: these 5reat prehistoric ri7ers<) -he Roc6ies and the Andes 9ere then up; and the /i8ala=as; and the AIores and -eneri::e Pea6 9ere part o: another 8ountain chain< o9n in the ocean no9 is to be :ound a rid5e 9333 :eet hi5h that stretches !333 or '333 8iles south :ro8 the British %sles to -ristan dBAcunha; 9ith connections on the coast o: $orth9estern A:rica and o: #outh A8erica; near the 8outh o: the A8aIon< -hese rid5es 8ust ha7e been tre8endousl= hi5h 8ountains in those da=s< Onl= the north9estern part o: A:rica 9as out o: the 9ater then; but it 9as Foined on to #pain; and the solid land connected #pain and the British %sles< +ell; Atlantis be5an to brea6 up se7eral 8illions o: =ears a5o< %t di7ided into se7en 5reat islands; the lar5est o: 9hich disappeared 2.3;333 =ears a5o< A s8all re8nant o: one o: the8; the last o: Atlantis; called Poseidonis b= the Gree6s; san6 11;333 =ears a5o< Pa5e !.

But 8eanti8e; the Fi:th 5reat continent 9as :or8in5< A:rica ca8e :irst out o: the ocean 8ud; lon5 be:ore France and the British %sles e8er5ed< (Aust thin6 o: it; those island ha7e 5one do9n and co8e up a5ain; :our ti8esD) $o9 the #ahara esert 9as a 5reat sea< But later; A:rica separated :ro8 #pain; 9hen the ocean rolled in to 8a6e the "editerranean #ea; and then the #ahara beca8e an arid 9aste o: sand< %n our A8erica; % :anc=; all our "iddle +estern states 9ere co7ered 9ith 9ater in earl= Atlantean da=s; but 9ere dried o:: and drained b= the "ississippi and Great *a6es to suit the purposes o: the Fi:th Continent< #outh A8erica has been li:tin5 itsel: 8ore and 8ore :ro8 the sea< Europe has done li6e9ise< $o9; 9e shall ha7e to 9atch the chan5es in the :uture< For there 9ill be another continent; and still another< Parts o: old Atlantis 8a= co8e up a5ain to belon5 to these? certainl= 8an= lands 9e 6no9 no9 9ill 5o do9n into the sea< CBut 16;333 =ears is a lon5 ti8e to 9ait :or that; isnBt itG +eBll Fust 9atch ) not 9ait ) and learn :ro8 9atchin5 ) 9onBt 9e; bo=s and 5irlsG $o; not a sin5le Euestion toni5ht< *etBs sleep on thisD C Aunt Eleanor s8iled as she 6issed oroth= and "ilton; and sent the8 to bed<
Pa5e !6
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!4FA(R(ES

%t 9as a 5ala da= :or oroth= and "ilton 9hen Father dro7e up the 5ra7eled dri7e9a= to the house in a shin= ne9 auto8obile ) Fust bi5 enou5h to carr= all the Fa8il=; Father said; and s8all enou5h so the= could 6eep it shinin5 and in 5ood runnin5 order all the8sel7es< -he car 8eant 8an= 5ala da=s to :ollo9 ) e7er= #aturda= and holida= bein5 the occasion :or a trip into the countr= 9ith lunch-bas6ets and -her8os bottles; and o:tenti8es :ishin5 rods< -here 9as al9a=s roo8 too; :or so8e :riend o: Aunt EleanorBs or a Fo=:ul little co8panion o: oroth=Bs or "iltonBs; 9hose appreciation o: the treat 5a7e al8ost as 8uch pleasure to the Fa8il= as the trip itsel:< %t 9as on one o: these holida= e>cursions into a lo7el= can=on that the children learned 8uch o: :airies 9hich the= had not 6no9n be:ore< %t ca8e about in this 9a=< #pinnin5 8erril= o7er the shinin5 boule7ard; the= ca8e under a lon5 5reen arch9a= o: pepper and locust trees; - the blosso8s o: the locust 5lea8in5 li6e 5reat pearls a5ainst the 5reen; - 9ith pepper berries here and there 5lo9in5 as rubies 8i5ht< COh; oh;C e>clai8ed oroth=; C9ouldnBt =ou thin6 this 8i5ht be the 7er= a7enue Cinderella ca8e do9n to 8eet her :air= PrinceGC C+h=; oroth=DC serious e=ed *ouise -abor ans9ered; C idnBt =ou 6no9 that that is Fust a :air= stor=G -here arenBt reall= an= :airies< %tBs Fust li6e #anta Claus ) =ou see ) onl= B8a5ination1C oroth=Bs :ace clouded 9ith perple>it=; and she turned to Aunt Eleanor 9ith the Euestion in her e=es 9hich she :elt sure 9ould be ans9ered so8eho9 to 8a6e thin5s strai5ht< C+ell; *ouise;C Aunt Eleanor be5an slo9l=; C% 6no9 8an= people thin6 as =ou do in re5ard to :airies ) but there are so 8an= 8ore people 9ho do belie7e in the8; so 8an= people in the past 9ho ha7e 9ritten o: the8; perhaps 9eBd better loo6 8ore thorou5hl= into the 8atter< C$o9; as 9e ride; Fust loo6 ahead into the air to9ard the sun; 7er= intentl=< there ) 7apor=; 9a7er= :or8s; 9hirlin5 and dartin5GC C0es; =es;C the children ans9ered a:ter a 8o8ent< C+hat are the=GC C-he= are tin= li7es in the at8osphere ) the stu:: 9e 8i5ht sa= that air :airies are 8ade o: ) those 9e call sprites and s=lphs< For there are 8an= 6inds o: :airies< -hose that d9ell in the :ire ele8ent are called sala8anders those o: the 9ater are n=8phs and undines 9hile those o: the earth are 5no8es and el7es< %t 8a= be hard to see ho9 these 7a5ue air-shapes 8a6e :or8s o: 8iniature hu8an bein5s so that an=one 8i5ht notice the8; but in realit= it is the thou5hts o: real hu8an bein5s that 5i7e the8 shape< o =ou not see 8o7e8ents
Pa5e !1

C0ou see; each thou5ht 9e thin6 5oes out into space on the 9in5s; 9e 8i5ht sa=; o: these little ele8ental li7es; is borne alon5 b= the8 till the :orce o: the thou5ht is spent< -hat is 9h= it is so necessar= to thin6 ri5ht true thou5hts< -hou5hts are reall= ali7e? the= ha7e their bodies the= are thin5s< #o the= can help or har8 9ho8e7er the= touch< C+ell; then; donBt =ou see ho9 there reall= is a #anta Claus 9here the people belie7e in hi8 and thin6 o: hi8 and picture hi8 as a bein5G Can =ou not see ho9 there are :airies; 5ood and badG "ore :airies; o: course; d9ell in countries such as En5land and %reland; because the land is old and the peopleBs thou5hts :or centuries ha7e 5i7en :airies an abidin5 place there< % 6no9 o: se7eral En5lish people 9ho ha7e co8e unseen upon a little 9ater-n=8ph beside a Euiet pool; or seen a tin= el: perched upon a s9a=in5 :lo9er< And one +elsh 5entle8an; 9ho8 =ou both 6no9; to this da= re8e8bers the si5ht o: those :airies his old nurse sho9ed hi8 on their ra8bles in the :orest<C C-hen do =ou thin6; "iss Eleanor;C as6ed *ouise; Cthe stor= o: Cinderella is trueGC C% should hardl= li6e to sa= it could not be true an=9a=; *ouise; in Fair= +orld< For li6e =ou; % ha7e ne7er seen such :airies as are described in the tale; and % do not 6no9 their lan5ua5e< But % suspect all :airies spea6 and act 8uch as the people thin6 9ho see the8< Our deli5ht:ul Gri88 perhaps did conFure up the tale entirel= out o: his i8a5ination ) but 8a=be he reall= understood :airies; :or all that< 0ou 6no9; all o: the boo6s 9e lo7e best are not about actual people; but about people pictured so 7i7idl= in the 9riterBs 8ind that to us also the= spea6 and do Fust 9hat the= 9ould actuall= ha7e to spea6 and do under the conditions< %n our hearts and s=8pathies 9e :eel the8 true and real ) o:ten 8ore real and true than 8an= people 9e see and tal6 9ith e7er= da=< #o 8an= o: the tales about the little sub-hu8ans 9e call :airies 8i5ht be true in a 9a= si8ilar to that; donBt =ou seeG C-here is so 8uch 5oin5 on about us all the ti8e that 9e donBt notice< 0ou 9ouldnBt thin6; 9ould =ou; that itBs :airies 9ho set those little 9hirl9inds stirrin5 in Euiet :ieldsG And; donBt =ou re8e8ber; oroth=; the other da= 9hen 9e 9ere se9in5 to5ether; % laid do9n 8= needle and thi8ble and 9ent out o: the roo8 :or a 8o8entG +hen % ca8e bac6; there 9as no needle nor thi8ble in si5ht; and % as6ed =ou i: =ou had been usin5 the8< 0ou said B$o; Auntie;C and helped 8e in the search< A:ter 9e had loo6ed e7er=9here in the roo8; % ca8e bac6 to 8= chair; and there beside it on the table in plain 7ie9 9as the 8issin5 needle and thi8bleD 0ou didnBt suspect :airies o: that; did =ou; dearG But it 9as so8e 8ischie7ous little ele8entals that did that to us< O: course; the needle and thi8ble 9ere there all the ti8e ) onl= the ele8entals co7ered the8 up :ro8 our 7ie9< But re8e8ber; children;C 9arned Aunt Eleanor 9ith a s8ile; C=ou 8ustnCt a:ter that bla8e ele8entals :or =our not bein5 able to :ind thin5sD An=9a=; it happens al8ost e>clusi7el= in the case o: 8etal obFects< -hose sa8e little bus=bodies couldnBt so 9ell 8ana5e a boo6; or cap; or 5lo7es; or lunch-bas6etD C+ell; 9e 8ustnBt 5et into the habit o: thin6in5 that 8en and ani8als and birds and :ishes and insects are the onl= li7e thin5s in the 9orld< -here are li7es 9hose actions 9e do not ordinaril= see; Fust as there are colors seen b= so8e people 9hich others cannot see sounds hi5h and lo9; heard b= so8e; 9hich others cannot hear< "a=be % can tell =ou 8ore o: the :airies a:ter 9e 5et up in the can=on<C %t 9as such a beauti:ul can=on ) 9ith roc6s and trees o7erhan5in5 the clear runnin5 9ater; blue in the Pa5e !2

s9irlin5 pools; and :oa8in5 9hite o7er the roc6sD Abo7e on either side rose hi5h 8ountain 9alls; and birds called 5ail= to their nei5hbors in the treetops< A:ter lunch; Father and "ilton 9ent o:: on an e>plorin5 Bhi6eB; 9hile the 5irls and Aunt Eleanor; dro9s= :ro8 the dri7e and satis:ied sharpened appetites; curled up on the 5round beside the broo6 to rest< But it 9as not lon5 be:ore oroth= called outH CAunt Eleanor; 9here is the 8usicGC C+hat does it sound li6e; oroth=JC C+h=; itBs a band ) not 7er= :ar a9a=< onBt =ou hear it; *ouiseGC
C0es; oroth=;C said *ouise; C% 9as listenin5 to it 9hen =ou spo6e; but % donBt hear it an= 8ore no9<C Aunt Eleanor lau5hed 8erril=< C-here isnBt an= band o: 8usic inside o: :i:t= 8iles; 5irls< 0ou didnBt 6no9; did =ou; that =ou 9ere listenin5 to the :airiesGC COh; but "iss Eleanor;C said *ouise; Cit 9as so real and loudD And ho9 could :airies pla= cornetsGC CCertainl=; child; the= donBt pla= cornets ) but the 8usic =ou heard li6e that o: the cornet is 8ade b= the :airies ) or ele8entals ) this ti8e; the 9ater ele8entals< -he 9ater =ou 8i5ht thin6 o: as so8ethin5 li6e a phono5raphic record 6ept and pla=ed b= the ele8entals< But % ha7e heard the8 at this sort o: thin5 8uch nearer ho8e; and 9hen % tell =ou about it; 8a= be =ou can see 8ore clearl= ho9 the 8usic ca8e about< C0ou re8e8ber =ou 9ere 7er= Euiet 9hen =ou heard the 8usic ) al8ost read= to drop o:: to sleepG %t 9as then =ou heard :ro8 an inner ear ) not listenin5; reall=; nor pa=in5 particular attention to outside thin5s< #o; one ni5ht not so 7er= lon5 a5o; durin5 a hea7= rainstor8; % :ound 8=sel: 9ishin5 that the people passin5 b= on the side9al6 9ould be 8ore considerate o: those 9ho 9ished to sleep at ele7en oBcloc6 at ni5ht< -he= 9ere lau5hin5 and tal6in5 noisil=; and % reco5niIed "rs< /arterBs 7oice especiall=< % thou5ht she 8ust ha7e been ha7in5 a part= and her 5uests 9ere lea7in5< %8a5ine 8= perple>it= 9hen % re8e8bered she had been a9a= :or three da=s and 9ould not be ho8e :or another 9ee6D % listened 8ore intentl=; and heard ChesterBs 7oice teasin5; and his 8other tal6in5 to hi8; sharpl= scoldin5< % e7en heard =our :atherBs 7oice callin5 to =ouD And then it da9ned on 8e< $ot :ar :ro8 8= cha8ber 9indo9 is the stor8-drain bet9een our house and ChesterBs< o9n it the 9ater 9as pourin5 noisil= ) and all those 7oices 9ere in the 9aterD -he 9ater 9as pla=in5 the records 8ade b= the ele8entals o: the 9ords and lau5hter o: people li7in5 in the 7icinit=< -he records 9ere 8ade in the air and the 9ater :urnished the po9er to 8a6e the8 audibleD CAs soon as % realiIed the 8eanin5 o: it; % turned o7er on the other side contented; and 9ent to sleep< C#o; this band 8usic =ou ha7e heard toda= 8a= ha7e been i8pressed on the at8osphere a hundred Pa5e !9

8iles a9a=; and the air-:airies brou5ht it to this lo7el= can=on ; :or the 9ater-:airies to pla= the record<C C$o9; Aunt Eleanor;C oroth= said; C=ouB7e told us so8ethin5 o: the :airies o: earth; air; and 9ater< Could =ou tell us so8ethin5; too; o: the :ire-:airiesGC C4er= little other than =ou ha7e seen :or =oursel7es< #o8eti8es it see8s a 7er= 8=sterious thin5 that se7eral :ires 9ill occur in the sa8e 7icinit= at about the sa8e ti8e :or 9hich no apparent reason can be :ound; so that each :ire is declared to be caused b= spontaneous co8bustion< -hat reall= is the 9or6 o: nau5ht= :ire ele8entals< onBt =ou re8e8ber; both o: =ou; 9hen "r< Flo9erBs house burned do9n; ho9 an5ril= the :la8es see8ed to resist the 9ater and :airl= to eat up the ti8bersG +e all :elt as i: so8e ruthless 8onster 9ere at 9or6D And there 9as 5ood reason to :eel so; as =ou no9 6no9< C+ell; such are certainl= destructi7e ele8entals; but there are those that e7en build citiesD -he= hold pictures o: cities in the air; Fust as 9e i8a5ined the8 holdin5 records o: the 8usic; and so8eho9 8en see 9ith an inner e=e; and are i8pelled to be5in the buildin5< 4er= :e9 people 6no9 9h= there are so 8an= cities unearthed; one on top o: the other ) li6e -ro=; and Po8peii; and /erculaneu8< 4er= :e9 people 6no9 9h= cities 5ro9 in one direction :irst ) rather than in another 9hich should ha7e been thou5ht 8ore :a7ourable< %t is the ele8entals (the thou5hts o: ancient peoples still ali7e in the at8osphere) that dra9 ne9co8ers to the spot ) Fust as a 8a5net dra9s steel :ilin5s ) and ur5e the8 on in directions that ha7e been ta6en be:ore<C COh; than6 =ou; "iss Eleanor;C said *ouise< C%t is lo7el= to 6no9 such thin5s< And to thin6 there is a real reason :or :airiesDC Aust then Father and "ilton rounded the turn in the road to tell the8 o: a ban6 all s9eet 9ith 8aidenhair :erns and colu8bines< -he= did not sa= :airies 9ere 5ro9in5 there; too; but i: oroth= and *ouise hal: e>pected to sp= a little el: s9in5in5 on a colu8bine; =ou donBt 9onder; do =ou; that the= Fu8ped ri5ht up to loo6G
Pa5e '3
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!!"H#S S + SE5E'-F#,$ 'A URE #F &A'

Onl= a :e9 da=s a:ter this e>cursion into the can=on; Aunt Eleanor; 9ith another Euestion oroth= ca8e runnin5 ho8e :ro8 school to :ind
CAuntie; there reall= are 5hosts; too; arenBt there; Fust li6e :airiesGC C0es; dear ) there are< But 9hat 8a6es =ou thin6 soGC C+ell; =ou see; 9e 9ere readin5 the B*e5end o: #leep= /ollo9C this a:ternoon in school; and it sa=s there that 5hosts :lourish in that 7icinit= because people belie7e in the8< And thatBs Fust 9hat =ou said about :airies< +h= is it that in stories people ne7er seen a:raid o: :airies; =et are Fust scared to death about 5hostsG +hat is the di::erence; AuntieGC CFor one reason; % suppose; that :airies are di8inuti7e; tin= bein5s; and 5hosts are Bli:e-siIe<C Ghosts are co88onl= supposed to be dead 8en co8in5 bac6 to this 9orld o: li7in5 8en< But in realit=; o: course; a 8an is al9a=s ali7e ) and it is onl= his bod= that 5oes to pieces< Once a 8an lea7es the earth; he 9aits to co8e bac6 a5ain in an in:antBs bod=< % ha7e told =ou be:ore that 9e ha7e also inner bodies besides this o: :lesh and blood and bone and 8uscle< -he ph=sical bod= is chan5in5 all the ti8e in its 8olecules and ato8s; and 9e 9ould not lon5 loo6 li6e the sa8e person; i: there 9ere not a pattern; or inner 8odel bod=; :or the ne9 8olecules and ato8s to 5ro9 into< -his 8odel bod= is usuall= called the Bastral bod=C< (BAstraB 8eans star ) and so BastralB 9ould 8ean 8ade o: starr= 8atter but in this case 8erel= 8ade o: a :iner 6ind o: 8atter than the ph=sical bod=<) C+hen; then; a 8an Bdies;B as 9e sa=; he si8pl= slips out o: this ph=sical and astral bod=; and 5oes on li7in5 in other still :iner bodies< But 8eanti8e on earth his ph=sical bod= is deca=in5; and Fust so in the astral 9orld; his astral bod= is also 5oin5 to pieces ) e7en 8ore slo9l= than the ph=sical bod=; ho9e7er< %t is li6e a photo5raph o: the 8an 9ho once li7ed in it; and is so stron5l= i8pressed 9ith the thou5hts and desires o: its :or8er o9ner; that the ele8entals; pushed on b= the thou5hts o: living people; can sti8ulate this photo5raphic 8an into apparentl= real action and speech< -hat is all a B5hostB a8ounts to; 5enerall= spea6in5; :or it is another thin5 9hen at death; or shortl= a:ter; the 5oin5 one appears to those 8ost belo7ed in astral :or8 and a5ain; B5hostsB are credited :or doin5 9onder:ul thin5s; 9hich in realit= ha7e Euite other causes< CAs :or 5hosts; 9ell; =ou 6no9 ho9 it is 9hen Father is dri7in5 the auto8obile on a le7el road< #uppose he shuts the po9er o:: ) the 8achine 5oes on :or se7eral =ards b= its o9n 8o8entu8; as 9e sa=< -he 8ore po9er he has pre7iousl= applied; the :arther the car 5oes< #o the astral bodies o: 8en 9ho ha7e thou5ht 8ost about eatin5 and drin6in5 and other sel:ish pleasures ) 9ith 7er= little thou5ht about the :ine beauti:ul thin5s o: li:e ) li7e lon5er in the astral 9orld< And that is 9h= 5hosts; or so-called Bspirits;B ne7er sa= an=thin5 9ise< -he real 8an isnBt there to spea6 ) itBs onl= an echo o: the old earth= thou5hts that the ele8entals ha7e set to soundin5< -o suppose 5hosts are real 8en is as :oolish as to suppose; "r< Aud5e said; Bthat a lot o: educated parrots le:t in a deserted house 9ere the souls o: the persons 9ho had once li7ed there and o9ned the birds; K a 5ood parrot behind a screen could 8a6e =ou thin6 that an intelli5ent 8an 9as hidden :ro8 7ie9 but spea6in5 in a 7oice =ou hear and 9ords =ou understand<C Pa5e '1

C#o there is certainl= nothin5 to :ear :ro8 5hosts ) and there is certainl= nothin5 to 5ain :ro8 thin6in5 about the8< -he :ear co8es :ro8 not 6no9in5 9hat the= are< +e are 9ise to put our thou5ht and attention on the duties and ser7ices o: our e7er=da= li:e in the 9orld 9here 9e are li7in5< -here is plent= o: 9isdo8 to 5uide us here? and there are plent= o: souls in bodies to help; 9ithout see6in5 the co8panionship o: bodies 9ithout souls< %n :act; there is 5ra7e dan5er in that sort o: see6in5< And there are so 8an= 8=steries under our noses ri5ht in the sunli5ht :or us to e>plore and learn b=DC CBut % 9ish =ou 9ould tell us 8ore about those other bodies 9e ha7e; Aunt Eleanor;C said "ilton 9ist:ull=< C/o9 8an= are there; and 9h= do 9e need 8ore bodies than this oneGC COne Euestion at a ti8e; son; please;C replied Aunt Eleanor< CAnd that one % 9ill ans9er b= re8indin5 =ou o: ho9 8an= nu8ber se7ens 9e ha7e in $ature< -here are se7en colors in the rainbo9 ) 7iolet; indi5o; blue; 5reen; =ello9; oran5e; red< -here are se7en notes in the scale< -he bod= is co8pletel= chan5ed in its ato8s e7er= se7en =ears< -here are se7en openin5s in the head ) e=es; nostrils; ears; 8outh; - and 9hen later =ou stud= Ph=siolo5=; =ou 9ill :ind little 5roups o: se7ens all o7er the bod=< Our se7en da=s o: the 9ee6 :ollo9 out this natural order o: $ature< C$o9 9e; as bodies; are Fust copies o: bi5 $ature< Aust as our earth has se7en bodies; so ha7e 9e< +e couldnBt li7e on this solid earth; i: 9e didnBt ha7e a bod= belon5in5 to it< -he air sprites couldnBt 8a6e their Fourne=s in the air; i: their BbodiesB 9erenBt 8ade o: air ) and so; i: the li:e o: our earth has se7en bodies belon5in5 to it; 9e Fust ha7e other bodies si8ilar to earthBs bodies; in 9hich to learn 9hat there is to 6no9 an=9here< C0ou re8e8ber ho9 9e spo6e o: 9orlds bein5 8ade ) :irst issuin5 as a :ier= cloud :ro8 the Great ar6ness< +e 9ere there; and ha7e bodies o: that cold :ire-8atter< #o8e call that the etheric bod=< But be:ore this bod=; e7en; 9as one o: :iner thou5ht-:orce ) 9hich in its turn 9as li6e a shado9 thro9n :ro8 the :inest spirit-8atter; 9hich 8a6es the basis o: all bodies ) and contains the8 all< C-hen ca8e a 8ore 5aseous state o: 8atter; and 9e had bodies 8ade o: that< -hen air 9as our habitation; and ne>t 9e ca8e into the astral state ) 9ith; :inall=; earth; the 8ost solid o: our bodies< $o9 =ou 8ustnBt thin6 o: these 7arious bodies as separate< -he= are not e7en so separate as the rounds o: s6in on an onionD % told =ou the astral bod= is 9hat 8a6es us 6eep the sa8e li6eness ) but =ou can see that the ph=sical bod= is so blended in 9ith it; 7er= :e9 people suspect the e>istence o: the astral bod=< -he= donBt suspect the= hear onl= 9ith an inner ear see; 9ith an inner si5ht; that all our senses and ner7es belon5 to the astral bod=< -a6e the 8atter o: FatherBs pipe s8o6e; :or instance< 0ou see it is in the air ) and =et =ou 6no9 it is pipe s8o6e; di::erent :ro8 the air 9hich surrounds it and holds it up< #o our 7arious bodies are distinctl= bodies ) =et the= interblend and penetrate each other< CAll these bodies are in use b= us ) 9hether 9e are conscious o: it or not< +e use chie:l= the astral and ph=sical bodies 9hile 9e are a9a6e; but 9hen 9e sleep; 9e spend our ti8e in :iner bodies< We are ne7er idle; =ou see< *i:e ) (9hich is +e) 5oes on al9a=s so8e 9a=; so8e9here< And 9hat 9e learn in those :iner bodies; so8eti8e 9e 8a= be able to 6no9 9hile 9e are a9a6e< -hat 9ould 8ean 9e 9ere reall= and trul= a9a6e< #o the 5reat "asters o: +isdo8 are al9a=s a9a6e in their earth bodies< -he= are able to use their :iner bodies as the= 9ill ) and re8e8ber<C Pa5e '!

C+h=; AuntieDC e>clai8ed oroth=; 9onderin5; Cdo =ou 8ean such +ise Ones ne7er ha7e drea8sGC C0es; indeed; that is Fust 9hat % 8ean< #uppose 9e tal6 about drea8s to8orro9< +ould =ou li6e that dearsGC as6ed Aunt Eleanor< COh; =es; Auntie;C both a5reed< And "ilton added to oroth= in a 9hisperH
C*etBs drea8 so8ethin5 e>tra-special toni5ht to :ind out about ) sisterDC
Pa5e ''
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!%$REA&S

$e>t 8ornin5; as "ilton ca8e do9n to the brea6:ast table 9ith ros= chee6s and shinin5 e=es; Aunt Eleanor chuc6led so:tl= ) C$o drea8s :or this bo= last ni5ht; % can see thatD An=9a=; =ou canBt re8e8ber an=; can =ou "iltonGC C$o; Aunt Eleanor; % donBt re8e8ber an=< But didnBt =ou sa= once that e7er=one drea8s e7er= ni5htGC C0es; e7er=one 5oes into the land o: drea8s e7er= ni5ht on his 9a= to eep #leep; and co8es bac6 :ro8 there to 9a6in5 throu5h the land o: drea8s< But each one has his o9n drea8land; Fust as he has his o9n thou5hts 9hen 9ide a9a6e $o t9o people e7er drea8 the sa8e drea8< But there are 7arious 6inds o: drea8s< One 6ind "ilton 6ne9 a 5reat deal about; be:ore 9e realiIed he 8ust eat Fust his bread and 8il6 at ni5ht< For his bod= 9as too tired to ta6e care o: a heart= dinner; and so 9as unco8:ortable enou5h to 6eep tele5raphin5 ne9s o: disEuiet to the brain< -hen the Percei7er 6ept 9atchin5 the 8o7e8ents o: the poor tired little brain; instead o: 5oin5 :ree into the state o: deep sleep< #uch horrid drea8s those 9ere; 9erenBt the= "iltonG B$i5ht8ares;C e7er=one calls the8< C0ou see; itBs Fust as i: the brain 9ere a hall9a= leadin5 :ro8 9a6in5 to eep #leep< On its 9alls the Percei7er has been han5in5 all 6inds o: pictures durin5 the da=; and these the Percei7er sees all in a tan5le; i: his bod= is not co8:ortable 9hen he tries to 5o throu5h the hall< But i: the bod= is co8:ortable; then the Percei7er Fust 5lances at the8 in their order as he passes throu5h; and :or5ets the8 till he co8es bac6 throu5h the hall to 9a6in5 a5ain< But 9hat he has seen in eep #leep; he connects 9hen he is a9a6e 9ith the pictures in the hall9a=; so that he cannot be sure o: Fust 9hat did happen in that 9orld on the other side o: the hall<C C id =ou ha7e an= drea8s; sisterGC Eueried "ilton< C0es;C ans9ered oroth=< CBut; Aunt Eleanor; i: =ou please; %Bd rather not tell it Fust no9<C
CCertainl=; dear; donBt tell it unless =ou care to< #o8eti8es; people lose the sense o: the rarest drea8s b= repeatin5 the8 idl=< An=9a=; itBs nearl= ti8e to be startin5 :or school<C -hat e7enin5; ho9e7er; 9hen the= 9ere all sittin5 Euietl= in the :ireli5ht; oroth= spo6e upH CAunt Eleanor; % thin6 %Bd li6e to ha7e =ou 6no9 about 8= drea8 no9< %t 9as a drea8 about 8= "other< +e see8ed to be 9al6in5 in the t9ili5ht to5ether throu5h a lo7el= 5arden< %t 9as too dar6 to see "other clearl=; but the :lo9ers see8ed to be shinin5 li6e stars< % could s8ell the 7iolets; and the lilies 9ere so bri5ht in their 9hite and 5old % Fust held 8= breath to loo6 at the8< All the 9hile 8= hand 9as in "otherBs; Pa5e ',

but 9e 9ere not spea6in5; till at last 9e ca8e to a dar6 9all and "other put her ar8s about 8e; sa=in5H C B $o9; run alon5; *ittle au5hter<C
C-hat 9as all o: the drea8; but 9hen % 9o6e up; it see8ed as i: "other 9as standin5 there beside 8= bed< % la= 7er= still and Euiet and Fust :elt her there; until % had to loo6 to see< And then % 6ne9 that she 9as 5one<C E7er=one 9as Euiet :or a :e9 8o8ents< C-hat 9as a real drea8; dear;C Aunt Eleanor said< C0our :eelin5; 9hen =ou 9o6e; 9as the 8e8or= o: 9hat happened 9hile =ou 9ere a9a= in that :ar *and o: eep #leep< 0ou surel= 9ere 9ith =our "other there< On co8in5 bac6 throu5h the hall9a= o: the brain; =ou sa9 such pictures o: radiant beaut=; because 9hat too6 place in realit= called up in =our brain the 8ost beauti:ul pictures e7er hun5 there<C -hen Father EuestionedH C+h= is it; Eleanor; that o:ten people drea8 o: accidents or death; that so8e ti8e a:ter reall= co8e to passGC C-hat is another 6ind o: drea8; Richard ) the drea8 o: pre8onition< But =ou 8ust understand that it 9ould not be possible to drea8 such e7ents; i: the causes :or the8 9ere not alread= set in 8otion< -he Percei7er; seein5 the cause in his inner 7ision o: eep #leep; 9ould Fust naturall= :ollo9 it out to its e::ect in this outer 9orld< -he e::ect is al9a=s 9rapped up in the cause; Fust as a blosso8 is 9rapped up in a tin= seed< Or; =ou 8i5ht loo6 at the la9 o: cause and e::ect as a coin 9ith t9o :aces< 0ou canBt sa= either side o: the coin is the coin Lor la9M; =et both sides belon5 to it< $o9 a 8atter o: terrible catastrophe or death seen in eep #leep probabl= shoc6s the ph=sical brain into re8e8berin5 ) Fust as the 8eanest o: 8en so8eti8es beco8es a 5reat hero; 9hen a terrible catastrophe in 9a6in5 li:e shoc6s hi8 into a sudden s9i:t re8e8berin5 :ro8 his in8ost soul; - and he acts as that soul; subli8el=< COne da=; children; =ou as6ed 8e to tell =ou about so8e other bodies =ou had 9hen =ou li7ed be:ore this ti8e< % said % could not do that< But it is Euite possible as the =ears 5o on that =ou 8a= catch 5li8pses o: so8e o: the8 in drea8s< 0ou 8a= e7en 6no9 the na8es that =ou 9ere called 9hen li7in5 in those bodies< -he record o: the8 all is in that *and o: eep #leep<C CBut; Auntie;C as6ed oroth=; Cho9 could 9e tell it 9as a drea8 o: a past li:e; or Fust a 8i>in5 up o: the pictures o: this oneGC C0es; Auntie;C added "ilton< COr so8ethin5 9e re8e8bered out o: a boo6 or 9hat so8eone else had told usGC Pa5e '.

C-hat; in 8an= cases; could be easil= chec6ed up< %t 9ould certainl= be 9ise to e>a8ine the drea8 :or an= apparent cause :irst; and i: =ou :ound one; let it 5o at that< But i: =ou can :ind; :or all =our thin6in5; no cause at all; Euite li6el= it is a 8e8or= o: other li7es< % ha7e 6no9n o: people drea8in5 scenes the= had ne7er read o:; heard o:; nor :ancied ) o: i8ple8ents the= li6e9ise ne7er heard o: ) o: costu8es and stran5e peoples ) =et ha7in5 in the drea8 no sense o: stran5eness; the8sel7es bein5 a part o: the scene; and clothed li6e the other actors< -heir sense o: B% a8 %C si8pl= belon5ed there< #o; as it is that B% a8 %C 9hich is oursel7es; and 9hich 9e can ne7er thin6 out o: e>istence; it see8s Euite li6el=; doesnBt it; that the B%C can 8a6e a connection 9ith its other li7es in eep #leepG An=9a=; such is the :act; 9hich so8e da= =ou 8a= pro7e :or =oursel7es<C CAh; % see8 to see; Eleanor;C Father 9ent on; Cit is that :eelin5 o: B% a8 %C that sho9s the di::erence bet9een the drea8 o: a past li:e; and a drea8 o: this present one< %s it not true that 9e drea8 drea8s o: 8ere :anc=G -he Percei7er catches hold o: so8e picture in the brain; and builds and builds upon it a real to9er o: 8eanin5less actions and e7entsG But in that case the B% a8 %C belon5s to the circu8stances and bod= o: this present li:eti8e; and 9e 6no9 it< %s that ri5htGC C0es;C nodded Aunt Eleanor< CAuntie;C said oroth=; Cso8e o: the 5irls at school ha7e drea8-boo6s that; the= sa=; tell the 8eanin5 o: drea8s< o the=GC C$o; dear; %B8 sure the= donBt< E7er= drea8er drea8s di::erentl=; and onl= the drea8er can 5et the 8eanin5 o: 9hat he drea8s< C+ell; there are other 6inds o: drea8s than those 9e ha7e spo6en o:< -here is 7er= 8uch 8ore 6no9n about all 6inds than 9e ha7e said< But a:ter all; the i8portant thin5 is to 6eep out thou5hts unsel:ish; true; and clean durin5 our da=ti8es? then our 7o=a5es into the *and o: eep #leep are bound to be :air ones that brin5 us bac6 to 9a6in5 ti8e re:reshed; and ea5er :or our dail= tas6s< #o; s9eet drea8s to =ou; bo=s and 5irls;C s8iled Aunt Eleanor; as she led the 9a= upstairs :or oroth= and "ilton; 9hile Father called a:ter the8H C%Bll be up as soon as =ouBre read=; =oun5sters<C
Pa5e '6
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!)$E5ACHA' A'$ B(R H

oroth= and "ilton had so8e 7er= co8panionable pla=8ates< One o: these 9as Eloise "oore; 9ho li7ed about t9o bloc6s a9a=; the happ= possessor o: a tennis court; 9here the= spent 8an= 5a= hours< %t 9as there one da= the= 8et /elen Bro9n; a s8all; bri5ht-e=ed 5irl; 9ho see8ed to ha7e an endless 7ariet= o: Euestions at the end o: her ton5ue; 9hen the= stopped pla=in5 bet9een sets< oroth= and "ilton had o:ten seen her in the nei5hborhood and at school; but had ne7er spo6en 9ith her be:ore< C0ou li7e 9ith =our aunt; donBt =ou; "iltonGC "ilton nodded< C id =our 8other die and 5o to hea7enGC C$o;C ans9ered oroth=; as "ilton hesitated< C"= dear "other still li7es; but 9e see her onl= in the *and o: eep #leep<C C-hatBs Eueer;C said /elen< C My 8other said she 9as in hea7en 9ith the an5els<C -hou5h the children then 9ent to pla=in5; =ou 8a= be sure the= did not :or5et /elenBs re8ar6; and Aunt Eleanor that e7enin5 8ust needs e>plain to the8 Bhea7enB and Bthe an5els<B C-here are Fust as 8an= Bhea7ens;C dears;C said Aunt Eleanor; Cas there are drea8s and drea8ers< B /ea7enC b= 8an= people is thou5ht o: as a place 9here souls 5o 9hen the= lea7e their bodies; and 9here the= li7e :ore7er; as an5els; dressed in shinin5 9hite robes; and sin5in5 son5s in praise o: the Bein5 the= call God (such a God as; =ou re8e8ber; Chester spo6e o: lon5 a5o)< #o the people 9ho thin6 that 9a= 9ill reall= ha7e that 6ind o: a Bhea7en;C a:ter the= lea7e their bodies; and it 9ill be thousands o: =ears; probabl=; be:ore the= co8e bac6 a5ain to earth in in:antsB bodies< C-here are people 9ho thin6 there is no li:e but this present earthl= one< -he=; on d=in5; 9ould scarcel= ha7e a Bhea7enC but co8e bac6 7er= Euic6l= to earth; 7er= little 9iser :or the li:e latel= li7ed< C-hen there are others; 9ho ha7e li7ed pure; unsel:ish li7es; 9ho thin6 o: Bhea7enB as so8e place o: rest; about 9hich the= can 6no9 nothin5 until the= reach it< -heir Bhea7enB 9ould be a state o: co8plete happiness; - surrounded b= all those dear to the8; - allo9in5 the pursuit o: e7er= hi5h ideal; 9hich in a ph=sical bod=; the= 8a= ha7e been denied< But no Bhea7enB is a place; an= 8ore than the *and o: eep #leep is a place<
Pa5e '1

C0ou re8e8ber our tal6 about our se7en-:old bodies< +ell; Bhea7en;B then; 9e 8i5ht sa=; is si8pl= the ele8ent o: one o: our :inest inner bodies ) Fust as 9e 6no9 the 9ater is the ele8ent o: the :ish; and the air; o: the bird< +ithin our true bodies are all ele8ents; =ou see< -o be li7in5 in one ele8ent doesnBt 8ean that the other ele8ents are thousands o: 8iles a9a=< Aust a thou5ht ta6es us :ro8 one to the other< A beauti:ul; unsel:ish thou5ht puts us in Bhea7enB a bad thou5ht 6eeps us a9a= :ro8 it; - chains us to unhappiness; disco8:ort; and discontent< C-he sa8e people; b= the 9a=; 9ho thin6 o: Bhea7enB as a place; also thin6 there is a place o: e7il; 9hich the= call Bhell<B But neither is BhellB a place< %t is si8pl= the su::erin5 :or e7il thou5hts 9hich 9e :eel in our ph=sical bodies< C% li6e the -heosophical na8e o: B e7achan;B ) 8eanin5 Bthe place o: the 5odsB ) :or e>pressin5 the condition o: souls; 9ho ha7e :inished one li:e in the bod= and are 5ettin5 read= :or another; - because that 9ord has ne7er been ta6en to 8ean a place; li6e a :ine cit=<C C-hen; Auntie;C Eueried oroth=; breathlessl=< C e7achan 8ust be li6e the real drea8s that 9e brin5 bac6 so8eti8es :ro8 eep #leepG C0es; dear; there is no better 9a= to describe it<C CAuntie; 9hat sort o: a e7achan do =ou thin6 "other is ha7in5GC as6ed "ilton< +ell; in the :irst place; % a8 sure she 9ould ha7e her bo= and 5irl; and their :ather; there< % :anc= she 9ould be sharin5 her deli5hts 9ith the8 ) 9hate7er those 8a= be< 0ou re8e8ber; donBt =ou; ho9 dearl= she lo7ed her 8usicG @uite li6el= in e7achan she is 9or6in5 out in 8usic all the beauti:ul thin5s she lon5ed to create; 9hile she 9as on earth; but 9hich 9ere ne7er possible ) chie:l= because o: her de7oted care o: her t9o babies<C -hen Father put his head in at the door 9ithH C+ell; son; are =ou 5oin5 to help 8e clean the car no9GC C0es; ad; %Bll 5et on 8= o7eralls in a Fi::=< Please e>cuse 8e; AuntieGC -hen Aunt Eleanor and oroth= 9ent on 9ith their tal6 alone<
C-he best part o: her lo7el= drea8 o: e7achan; =ou see; oroth=; is that 9hen "other co8es bac6; she 8a= brin5 9ith her so8e o: the 8usic she created there< "a=be so8e da= on earth she 9ill co8pose the s9eetest lullabies e7er 9ritten; - so8e son5s that 9ill reach the heart o: all the 9orld<C Pa5e '2

CBut; Aunt Eleanor; ho9 9ill she e7er 5et bac6 to earthG % Fust canBt understand ho9 it 9ill happen<C C%t is a 5reat 8=ster= to e7er= one; oroth= dear; but the 8ost beauti:ul 8=ster= there is; - so sacred that 9e ne7er spea6 o: it e>cept 9ith those 9ho are our nearest and dearest and 9ho understand us best< 0ou can appreciate that :ro8 the 9a= =ou :elt about =our drea8 o: "other< -hat 9as sacred; but this 8=ster= o: birth is e7en :ar 8ore sacred< CFirst; let us re8e8ber that 9hen "otherBs bod= 5re9 tired and died here; she 9as born into e7achan< Be:ore she le:t her bod=; ho9e7er; she sa9 in li5htnin5-:lash a sort o: 8o7in5 picture o: all her li:eti8e; and 6ne9 the 8eanin5 o: it all< #o in e7achan; e7en; she 9ill at last 5ro9 tired and lon5 to co8e bac6 to earth a5ain; and her e7achanic bod= 9ill cease to be< +hen that co8es about; another li5htnin5-:lash 9ill sho9 her 9hat her ne>t li:e on earth 9ill be< -hen she 9ill be read= indeed to co8e bac6 a5ain; :or as =our "other; she has died to e7achan<C CBut ho9 9ill she be able to :ind her :ather and 8other; Aunt EleanorG And 9ill she ne>t ti8e be a little 5irlGC C0our last Euestion :irst; oroth=< #he 8a= be a little 5irl; and she 8a= need a bo=Bs bod= ne>t ti8e< +hiche7er the soul needs; that it :inds< But there 9onBt be an= searchin5 :or her parents< %t 9ill be Fust as i: a hole in the s6= opened :or her ) :or her alone ) and onl= throu5h that can she 5o<C C+ould her parents be loo6in5 :or her; Aunt EleanorGC C0es; % thin6 the= 9ould< -he= 8i5ht not 6no9 it to spea6 o: it; but deep 9ithin; and in the *and o: eep #leep; the= 9ould 6no9< -he lo7e bet9een :ather and 8other is a part o: the 5reat 8=ster=; too; =ou see; and it acts li6e a 8a5net to that soul 9aitin5 to co8e bac6< -he soul 6no9s its 8other 9here it :inds her; and 9aits the opportunit= to build its o9n house 9ith her help<C C+h= then; Aunt Eleanor; the stor6 doesnBt brin5 babies< -he= Fust co8e b= the8sel7esGC C$o; 9e couldnBt sa= the= co8e b= the8sel7es either; dear; althou5h; o: course; the stor6 stor= is Fust an in7ention o: those parents 9ho 6no9 so little o: the 8=ster= that the= do not care to underta6e a true e>planation to their children< $o one e7er ca8e into the 9orld 9ithout the help o: others< A soul 8i5ht be near the 8other it 9as due to co8e to; but the parents re:use it entrance into li:e< -his 8eans 9e 8ust stud= the bod= :or a 8o8ent and understand 9hat a 9onder:ul and precious thin5 it is< CAll $ature is 8ade up o: the pairs o: opposites< 0ou 6no9 there is heat and cold 9e 9ouldnBt 6no9 9e 9ere happ=; i: 9e 9ere not so8eti8es unhapp= 9e 9ouldnBt 6no9 li5ht; 9ithout dar6< #o the bod= o: a 8an is a necessar= opposite to the bod= o: a 9o8an; and to5ether the= :urnish proper 8aterial :or the bod= o: a ne9 li:e< -here are especial or5ans :or this 8ost 9onder:ul process; and =ou can easil= understand; it is those or5ans 9e instincti7el= do not spea6 o: that are the instru8ents used in such a Pa5e '9

precious 9a=< CAll our or5ans see8 to ha7e t9o di::erent uses< All o: the8 are 8eans o: ta6in5 care o: 9aste-8atter; but their other use is hi5her and 7er= 8uch 8ore i8portant< /o9 little 5ood 9ould our e=es be to us; thou5h; i: there 9ere not other pairs o: e=es to loo6 bac6 at usD And o: 9hat use 9ould the ears be; i: there 9ere no one to spea6 9hat could be heardG +e ne7er could learn an=thin5; nor do an=thin5; i: it 9ere not :or other sel7es; 9ho ha7e in their or5ans b= 9hich the= recei7e 6no9led5e :ro8 us< #o those secret or5ans; too; are used< -he :ather 5i7es o: his sacred store a precious :luid< -he 8other recei7es it in the place consecrated to that use< But it is not the :ather alone; nor the 8other alone 9ho can do itH it is lo7e that 9or6s the 8iracle needed :or the co8in5 soul< C0ou 6no9 Father has e>plained to =ou about the 8a6in5 o: 9ater :ro8 t9o 5ases< -9o parts o: h=dro5en and one part o>=5en in a 5lass Far re8ain the separate 5ases; until an electric current is thro9n into the Far< -hen there is a spar6; and the t9o 5ases beco8e trans:or8ed into 9ater< #o lo7e is the electric current 9hich unites the precious li:e :luids 9ithin the 8other; and the spar6 6indled is the center o: a ne9 ph=sical bod=< For it :uses to the 8otherBs bod= the desi5n bod= o: the 9aitin5 soul; and on this the ne9 bod= o: :lesh be5ins to 5ro9< C-hat is 8iracle enou5h; isnBt it; dearG But all that :ollo9s is Fust as 8ar7elous< -en ti8es the 8oon is =oun5 and old be:ore the little bod= is read= to co8e out o: its 9ar8 nest into our 9orld< All that ti8e; the 8other has been :urnishin5 8aterial :or it out o: the :ood she eats< -hose are 9ise :airies; indeed; arenBt the=; 9ho carr= that 8aterial and la= it in place in the dar6; 9ithout the sound o: a ha88er or a sa9G All silentl= the 9or6 is done; and Oh; so per:ectl=DC CBut ho9 then does the bab= 5et out :ro8 that dar6 place; Aunt EleanorGC C+h=; 9hen the bab= is read=; the doors o: the te8ple Fust opens up< -hat is all< And 9hen the little one co8es :orth; it cries ) because; ancient peoples used to sa=; it 6no9s the ti8e has co8e to be5in school a5ain in earnest< -he= also said that 9hen 9e die is ti8e :or s8ilin5; since school is BoutB :or a 9hile<C C+ell; Aunt Eleanor; dear; it is a beauti:ul stor=< %B8 al9a=s 5oin5 to re8e8ber it< And % thin6 %B8 5oin5 to ta6e 6inder care o: 8= bod=; no9 % 6no9 ho9 9onder:ull= it 9as 8ade<C C0es; and ho9 9onder:ull= it is all the ti8e bein5 8ade< 0our o9n s8all bod= 9ill 5ro9 9ith the =ears; and 9ill so8eti8e beco8e a te8ple o: the hol= 8=steries< C-here is another thin5; too; to re8e8ber; dear< +hat % ha7e told =ou o: the process o: birth o: the hu8an bein5 is the sa8e process :or the 9orld itsel:; in 9hich 9e li7e< %t is Fust so that the 5reat :orces o: $ature brou5ht our earth; and our 9hole solar s=ste8 into bein5DC COh; Aunt Eleanor; Fust isnBt the 9orld interestin5DC e>clai8ed oroth=; as the= started hand in hand :or Pa5e ,3

the dinin5 roo8; 9here Father and "ilton 9ere alread= 9aitin5 the8<
Pa5e ,1
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!-SEE$S

"rs "oore 9as callin5 on Aunt Eleanor one da= 9hile the children 9ere at school< C%B7e reall= co8e on a particular errand; "iss Brou5hton;C "rs< "oore be5an< C% a8 dail= 8ore surprised at the 9a= Eloise is be5innin5 to thin6< For instance; Fust =esterda= she :ound a little dead linnet under the oran5e tree< #he crooned to it BPoor little brotherDC and then s8iled up at 8e; BBut so8e da= soon; heBll ha7e a ne9 little bod=; "other<C C*ast 9ee6 she 9as tellin5 8e o: one o: her school8ates; 9hose :ather had 9arned hi8 not to Fu8p on streetcars 9hile the= 9ere in 8otion< -he bo= 9as Fust bri5ht and 8err= and Euic6; and thou5htless; and so in the habit o: Fu8pin5 on success:ull=; that he :or5ot the 9arnin5< -he poor little lad :ailed :or once; ho9e7er; and it li6el= that no9 he 9ill al9a=s be la8e< +e 9ere all e>pressin5 our re5ret at the accident; 9hen Eloise re8ar6ed; B"=; that 9as Euic6 (ar8a; 9asnBt it "otherGC C$ot onl= does she thin6; but she has ta6en to her piano practice 8uch 8ore assiduousl= than e7er be:ore; and is e>act as to her hour; :or; she sa=s; oroth= tells her that b= 6eepin5 the re5ular Bc=cleB she 9ill acco8plish 8ore 9ith the ti8eD C$o9; "iss Brou5hton; 9hat 8a5ic is this that =ou use 9ith the children<GC Aunt Eleanor s8iled as she ans9eredH C+h=; its onl= the 8a5ic o: the truth< o =ou 6no9 % thin6 8ost parents 5reatl= underrate a childBs intelli5enceG % donBt belie7e in Btal6in5 do9nB to children; 8=sel:< % had a lesson in that once :ro8 a :riend o: 8ine< C/er bab= 5irl 9as 7er= :ond o: sin5in5; and be:ore bein5 put to bed 9as Euieted do9n b= her :a7ourite son5s< +hene7er a ne9 son5 9as brou5ht out; the bab= 9ould sa=; B+hat is dat son5; "a88aGC #o8eti8es "otherBs repertor= 9ould run lo9; and she 9ould i8pro7ise< -he bab= noticed the di::erence at once; and as6ed the usual Euestion< "other ans9ered; B+h=; thatBs i8pro7ised<C Bab= see8ed Euite content 9ith the ans9er; but her 8other told 8e she had not heard the 9ord three ti8es; 9hen % chanced there one da=< CBab= 9as ei5hteen 8onths old at the ti8e; and carried airs per:ectl=; hersel:< #he sat on the :loor pla=in5 9ith bloc6s; and sin5in5 her o9n co8positions so lustil= that her 8other and % 9ere Euite dro9ned out b= the din< -hin6in5 to di7ert the strea8 o: 8elod=; her 8other as6ed; C B +hat is that son5; little 5irlGC C-he 8ite ans9eredH B atBs i8probisedDC Pa5e ,!

C% :airl= 5asped< %t 9as e7ident that she 6ne9 the e>act 8eanin5 o: the 9ord< C"ost people; =ou see; "rs< "oore; thin6 a soul co8es brand ne9 to the earth ? that this is the :irst ti8e it has e7er had e>perience here< %n 8= opinion; 9e should ha7e 7er= 9onder:ul children; i: 9e realiIed that the= are old souls in ne9 bodies< oroth= and "ilton are 5raduall= co8in5 to realiIe that in sleep the= are reall= B5ro9n-ups;C and that the= 6no9; 9ithin< #o so8e o: the 6no9led5e reall= does co8e throu5h<C C+h= that is 9onder:ul; "iss Brou5hton; :or % ne7er sa9 8ore 5enuine child-children than the= areD -he= do ha7e the best ti8es< -heir :ertile i8a5inations 6eep the other children all a5lo9< -he= ha7e a ne9 5a8e :or e7er= da= ) and so8eho9; there ne7er see8s to be an= Euarrellin5 a8on5 the8<C C-he= ha7e a 9ider :ield o: true ad7enture than the others; % thin6; "rs< "oore< And certainl= the= should not be pri5s; because the= ha7e a clearer understandin5 o: li:e than others<C CBut 9here do =ou =oursel: :ind the ans9ers to all their EuestionsGC C%t is in -heosoph=; "rs< "oore<C C%B7e thou5ht % should li6e to stud= that so8eti8e; but % had no idea it 9ould be a reall= use:ul stud=<C COn the contrar=; %B8 inclined to thin6 it is the 8ost use:ul stud= there is< %t includes all depart8ents o: nature; and lea7es nothin5 out< %t is a state8ent o: *a9 ) and the real 7alue o: it consists in usin5 it<C C"iss Brou5hton; % a8 sure there are other 8others than 8=sel: 9ho 9ould be 5lad to ta6e up the stud= :or their childrenBs sa6e< +ould it be as6in5 too 8uch o: =ou to ha7e a class :or usGC C-here is nothin5 % 9ould do 8ore 5ladl=; "rs< "oore< -he 9orld is in sore need o: the teachin5; and i: 9e can start the children ri5ht; 9e shall be doin5 the 9orld a 5reat ser7ice ) as 9ell as sa7in5 the children a store o: :alse ideas; 9hich 9ould pro7e the 5reatest obstacles in their li7es<C C/o9 9ould =ou reco88end us to be5inGC CFirst; o: course; the 8others 8ust 6no9 the philosoph=< -hen 9e can stud= the applications to5ether< First; % thin6 9e 8i5ht read and stud= B-he Ocean o: -heosoph=;C b= +8< @< Aud5e; and B-he Bha5a7adGita;C 9hich he has rendered into En5lish<C C+h=; 8a= % as6; do =ou use the /indu Bible rather than our o9nGC Pa5e ,'

CFor the sa8e reason that % 8i5ht reco88end our Bible to the /indu< %t is easier to 5et rid o: our 9ron5 ideas; % thin6; b= ta6in5 an alto5ether di::erent presentation :ro8 the one 9e are accusto8ed to< A:ter =ou ha7e the ideas :ro8 a di::erent an5le; ho9e7er; =ou 9ill be surprised at the illu8ination our Bible 9ill recei7e :ro8 it< For children especiall= it en:orces the idea that true reli5ion is not con:ined to one boo6; nor to one people? and also that the true thin5s 9ere as true thousands o: =ears a5o; as the= are no9; and 9ill :ore7er be< +e read a little aloud :ro8 it e7er= da= no9 and the interest and 8e8or= o: the children are an a8aIe8ent e7en to 8e< "oreo7er; % ha7e a shre9d suspicion that the Gita is culti7atin5 in the8 a true literar= appreciation< C+ell; it isnBt so i8portant to read 8an= boo6s as it is to understand 9hat 9e do read< +e can :ind the 9hole philosoph= in Fust those t9o< -he :irst thin5 to do is to start; o: course; and 5ood 8ethods o: stud= 9ill soon su55est the8sel7es<C C% can see that; "iss Brou5hton< % thin6 9e shall all pro:it b= the stud=; 8ore than 9e no9 realiIe< #o; %Bll tal6 9ith other 8others; and co8e soon to see =ou to 8a6e :urther arran5e8ents< But do =ou 6no9;C said "rs< "oore; as she rose to 5o; C%B8 not sure that 9e arenBt Euite as little children as our babies ) in that 9e ha7e so 8uch to learn<C CPerhaps that is the :irst step; thou5h< id not Aesus tell us 9e 8ust beco8e as little children; be:ore 9e could enter the 6in5do8 o: hea7enGC "ilton and oroth= ca8e ro8pin5 up the 9al6 as 5ood-b=s 9ere said; and Aunt Eleanor standin5 at the door 9hispered so:tl= to hersel:H C"= dear little so9ers o: seedsDC
Pa5e ,,
Because (author unlisted) CHAP ER -!.APP,(CA (#'S

All these thin5s oroth= and "ilton learned :ro8 Aunt Eleanor in the :irst =ear the= 9ere 9ith her< But =ou 8ust not suppose that Euestions stopped then< Aust as =ou learned =our tables o: addition; subtraction; 8ultiplication; and di7ision; to use all =our li:e lon5 in 9hate7er 8athe8atical proble8s =ou 8a= stud=; so oroth= and "ilton had these :acts as a 5uide in ans9erin5 their o9n Euestions< +e ne7er 5ro9 so old; nor so ad7anced in school; that there are no 8ore Euestions to as6 o: those 9ho 6no9 8ore than 9e< -he 9iser 9e 5ro9; the 9iser our Euestions are< Al9a=s li:e is chan5in5 :or us? the people in our li7es are chan5in5 al9a=s the proble8s are chan5in5< +e onl= ha7e to re8e8ber that +e; the Percei7ers; do not chan5e; but loo6 at the chan5es the *a9 does not chan5e onl= 9e see it 9or6in5 in di::erent co8binations and al9a=s our proble8 is to act in our dail= li7es accordin5 to the *a9; to bene:it all our brothers ) near to us; or :ar a9a= ) those in hu8an bodies; or those still i8prisoned in 8ineral or 7e5etable or ani8al bodies< /ere then; are Fust a :e9 o: the Euestions oroth= and "ilton as6ed< #ee i: =ou can ans9er the8; tooD
---------------------------------CAunt Eleanor; itBs not so hard to choose bet9een doin5 9hat is ri5ht and 9hat is 9ron5; see8s to 8e< But so8eti8es =ou ha7e to choose bet9een t9o thin5s that see8 5ood< oes it 8a6e an= di::erence 9hich 9a= =ou chooseGC C0es; 9here7er =ou ha7e to choose; one 9a= is the better; 9hether =ou can see it or not< +e build our characters out o: these s8all choices< But a little thou5ht ou5ht to sho9 =ou 9hich is the better 9a=< #uppose =ou as6 =oursel: these EuestionsH C+hich 9ould % rather doG +h=G %s it easier :or 8eG +ould the other 9a= 8a6e it easier and happier :or othersG +hich 9a= 9ill brin5 8ost happiness to others; and least incon7enience and disco8:ort to othersGC C%t is the sa8e 9a= o: choosin5; =ou see; as bet9een ri5ht and 9ron5< #o8eti8es; o: course; =ou 9ill 8a6e 8ista6es; because =ou did not see clearl= :ar enou5h; but ne>t ti8e; =ou 9ill ha7e the bene:it o: that 8ista6e to help =ou< (eep ri5ht on choosin5 the 8ore unsel:ish 9a= al9a=s; and the ti8e 9ill co8e 9hen =ou 9onBt ha7e to be puIIled an= 8ore; :or =ou canBt do an=thin5 else but choose ri5ht<C ------------------------------------C+h= is it; Aunt Eleanor; that 9hen 9e donBt deser7e cross 9ords; the= 8a6e us :eel so badl=GC Pa5e ,.

C A harsh 9ord uttered in past li7es e7er co8es a5ain< -he cross 9ords are so8e o: =our o9n; co8in5 bac6 to =ou out o: the a5es< %snBt that a 5ood reason :or tr=in5 to be 5entle and patient; no9; in this li:eGC -------------------------------------CAunt Eleanor; so8e o: the ne9 bo=s at school are pic6in5 on 8e and tr=in5 to 8a6e 8e :i5ht the8< % donBt 6no9 9hat to do< %B7e told the8 % donBt 9ant to :i5ht; and ha7e lau5hed at the8 9hen the= called 8e na8es; but e7er= da= the= are na55in5 8e 8ore and 8ore; and call 8e a co9ard<C C+ell; "ilton; suppose the= 9ere treatin5 so8e other bo= that 9a=G /o9 9ould =ou :eelGC C+h=; Auntie; donBt =ou thin6 % ou5ht to stop itGC C0es; % do< Especiall= i: he 9ere not able to ta6e care o: hi8sel:< +ell; then; in this case; the bo=s are bullies; and their e>a8ple is bad :or other bo=s< -o8orro9; 9hen the= be5in their taunts; i: % 9ere =ou; % should o::er to :i5ht an= bo= 9ho 9ants to :i5ht< @uite li6el= =our e>ercise 9ith Father and the bo>in5 5lo7es 9ill 5i7e =ou a surprisin5 ad7anta5e; and =ou 9ill not ha7e an= pro7ocation to :i5ht a:ter this a::air is o7er< -he bullies 8a= see6 another 6ind o: :un herea:ter< CAs in e7er=thin5 else; it is =our 8oti7e that counts< 0ou donBt need to :i5ht in an5er; but si8pl= 9ith the hope o: curin5 a Euarrelso8e disposition in those bo=s; and sho9in5 the8 that a bo= 9ho doesnBt 9ant to :i5ht can not be sa:el= classed a co9ard<C ---------------------------------------C%n 9ar; Aunt Eleanor; i: a 8an dies 6illin5 another; 9ould he in a :uture li:e su::er as a 8urderer 9ould su::erGC CA5ain; the 8oti7e counts< A soldier; belie7in5 it his dut= as a patriot to 6ill; 9ould die :or his principle ) not to de:end hi8sel: as a person< /e su::ers 9ith his nation in a :uture li:e; and has his share in the punish8ent due his nation :or that 6illin5< As a person; he 9ould not ha7e the punish8ent o: a 8urderer; unless his heart 9ere :illed 9ith :eelin5s o: hatred and re7en5e such as a 8urdererBs 9ould hold<C -----------------------------------------C"innie *a6e ca8e to 8e at recess toda=; Aunt Eleanor; and said she 9as so sorr= :or 8e; because % 9as a -heosophistD % as6ed her 9h= she thou5ht that 9as bad; and she said that 8eant that % 9as a BheathenB and didnBt belie7e in God< % told her that e7en BheathenB belie7ed in God; i: that 9as 9hat troubled her; but an=9a=; % 9as 7er= happ= to be a -heosophist<C Pa5e ,6

C+ell; oroth=; =ou see there are people 9ho thin6 that onl= their idea o: God is the ri5ht one< #o the= 9ould ha7e e7er=one accept their idea ) 9ithout the8sel7es loo6in5 at the truth in other peopleBs ideas< 0ou can onl= con7ince "innie that -heosoph= is 5ood b= bein5 a 5ood -heosophist< -o be 6ind and true and patient and 5entle and honest; not spea6in5 o: the :aults o: others; and considerate o: others rather than o: =oursel:; 9ill teach her that -heosoph= is 5ood; :ar 8ore than an= 9ords =ou can e7er sa=<C ------------------------------------------CAunt Eleanor; %B8 so a:raid % ha7enBt passed 8= test in Arith8eticD % Fust 5ot :ussed up o7er the :irst proble8; and then 8= head ached; and % didnBt 5et all the proble8s done<C C+ell; the Euestion is; ha7e =ou been doin5 =our best e7er= da= in =our Arith8eticG %: so; =ou did =our best 9ith the test< %: =ou did =our best; that is all an=one could e7er as6 o: =ou< 0ou are in school to learn; not to 5et hi5her 8ar6s than so8eone else; nor to en7= those 9ho ha7e hi5her 8ar6s than =ours< But it 8a= be; the test sho9ed up a 9ea6 place in =our Arith8etic< #o it is i8portant to 8a6e that 9ea6 place stron5; and see that there are no 9ea6 places 9hen the ne>t test co8es< %: =ou ha7e :ailed; then learn :ro8 =our :ailure< CBut 9h= 5et :ussed up o7er an= proble8G %: one see8s harder than the others; do the si8pler ones :irst; and then 5o to the hard proble8< 0ou 9ill then ha7e the bene:it o: the e>ercise on the others< But re8e8ber the best =ou can do is all that is e>pected< %t is to do =our best; e7en i: itBs onl= t=in5 =our shoelaceD And doin5 =our best 8eans that 9hate7er =ou are doin5; =ou are doin5 :or the 5ood o: the Great #el: o: all creatures; as =ou are a part o: that #el:<C -------------------------------------------C%s it e7er ri5ht to tell a lieGC C"oti7e a5ain; bo=s and 5irls< #uppose b= sa=in5 B0esC 9hen B$oC 9ere the truth; =ou 9ould sa7e the li:e o: a 5ood 8an unFustl= attac6ed b= an an5r= 8obG +ouldnBt =ou be renderin5 a ser7ice b= that lie to the an5r= 8ob as 9ell as to the 5ood 8anG %n s8aller 8atters; % 6no9; it is harder to see; and lies; perhaps; are easier to tell< %: E88a sa=s; BisnBt 8= dress prett=GC and =ou thin6 it 7er= u5l=; o: course; it 9ill hurt E88aBs :eelin5s to sa= that< -hen donBt sa= it; but thin6 9hat best =ou can sa=; as :or instance; B+ell; % rather thin6 % li6e =ou better in =our blue dress<C Or; Fust e>clai8; B"=; a ne9 dressDC -r=in5 to 8a6e her :eel co8:ortable 9ill tell =ou 9hat to sa=; % thin6< CGenerall= spea6in5; a lie is an abo8ination; and; told to protect oneBs sel: or :or oneBs 5ain; it is the be5innin5 o: a do9n9ard path that is :ar :ro8 the places o: peace< +hen oneBs sense o: honest= is lost; he hi8sel: is lost indeed; :or he soon cannot be honest 9ith hi8sel:<C ---------------------------------------------Pa5e ,1

C-hereBs one Eueer 6ind o: lie 9e donBt understand; Aunt Eleanor< Bessie Aones ca8e to school the other da= 9ith her e=es all s9ollen up; nose runnin5; and a terrible cou5h< #o8ebod= said to her; B+hat an a9:ul cold =ou ha7eDC And she ans9ered; BOh; no; %B8 a Christian #cientist % ha7enBt an= coldDC +hat 6ind o: a lie is thatGC C+e canBt den= that such a state8ent is a lie; naturall=< But it is not told to be a lie nor does it decei7e an=one but the one 9ho tells it< -he idea o: Christian #cientists is that b= den=in5 sic6ness; the= put it out o: e>istence< But it is as :oolish to thin6 that; as to thin6 in the :ull sunshine there is no such thin5 as dar6ness< People thin6 that 9a= because their 8ain desire is to be 9ell and co8:ortable the= belie7e such thin6in5 cures their bodies< 0ou see; a:ter all; the lie e>ists in i5norance rather than intention< %: the= realiIed that their ills are the 9or6in5 out o: (ar8a; the= 9ould not tr= to dod5e the8< %: the= realiIed that their present bodies 9ill be :ollo9ed b= others in other li7es; and that the Real -hin5 is not those<
Pa5e ,2

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