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Cosmic Tales, v. 2, issue 1, Summer 1939
Page 13
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COSMIC TALES 13 the bird. But the bird did not fall, although the diamond struck full upon the bird; and the stone, rebounding, fell into the sea's surface and lay there gleaming brightly. And so I walked upon the surface of the sea Then I saw two men; two, standing upon the sea before me, as if in contemplation of the horizon. And I greeted the men, but they did not return the greeting and only glared at the horizon. Then a wind- I knew not from where it came--blew and one of the men toppled over and smashed to bits upon the surface of the sea, while the other continued to stare.. And I hurriedly left the men, for my spirit was curdled within me. Hours later, the sea ended abruptly; not in the manner of what I vaguely remembered as earthly pools, but a complete cessation. Or otherly, the water towered solidly above the land like a great orange cliff, so that I had to crawl in peril of my own life down its steep incline. Here, there were no trees, no grass, no beings that I could see; but only a weary stretch of red desert in which, at long intervals, strange columns of smooth blue light rose up to the sky; and there was not an end to these columns, they climbed forever. Then it was that I stood upon the land and wept, and the great beast, Terror, came out from his cave to watch me, leering upon his haunches which were like those of an ox. But I ceased y weeping, for there came from the ground a deep, sullen rumble, and the ground shook. I looked, and before me the earth opened to spew forth mountains which were as transparent as glass. As far as I could see, the mountains stood, and the place grew quiet once more. Lo! With a blubbering noise, lips formed upon the sides of the mountains and they began to wail, crying to the suns to bring rain upon the earth. And I saw that the trees and the parched white grass had caused the talking mountains to be created so that their greater and louder voices could call to the rain. But after a long time, the mountains stopped their cries, and walked away to the north where they arranged themselves into violet chains; strangely, they looked familiar. And above hung four young suns. Again I looked, and before me lay a pale green lizard---but this time he did not lift his lids to stare, but remained sleeping in the four sun's rays. And then I heard a voice which haunted me, ask: "Where is the road out of this hell, Yi-Das? And the lizard looked up, opening his eyes, and I screamed, for the pale lizard's eyes were my eyes; then there came blackness, and I wiggled my pale green body deeper into the soft gray dust and withered lids shut the glare of four suns from my eyes. ------------------ Now you may believe this tale to be but the fables of old men who have remained too long upon the dark star, Nobo. But this is not true, for the tale is the tale of Wali, and is written in the sacred book of Shalak-a-gah. No one but the priests may touch or read the great and wonderous book. But it is written that if one will but paint the sign of Baal-fa upon his tongue in green, shave his head so that it is smooth like the temple stone, and fast for twenty three days, the great one will cause a dream to come, and Lo!, it will be the tale I have just told. ---Finis--- ONE CAN NEVER KNOW (con't from page 19) ed shell -- ghastly remnants of a living, vibrant youth -- turned into dust and was blown over the gardens. And the silvery fire of (con't on page 42)
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COSMIC TALES 13 the bird. But the bird did not fall, although the diamond struck full upon the bird; and the stone, rebounding, fell into the sea's surface and lay there gleaming brightly. And so I walked upon the surface of the sea Then I saw two men; two, standing upon the sea before me, as if in contemplation of the horizon. And I greeted the men, but they did not return the greeting and only glared at the horizon. Then a wind- I knew not from where it came--blew and one of the men toppled over and smashed to bits upon the surface of the sea, while the other continued to stare.. And I hurriedly left the men, for my spirit was curdled within me. Hours later, the sea ended abruptly; not in the manner of what I vaguely remembered as earthly pools, but a complete cessation. Or otherly, the water towered solidly above the land like a great orange cliff, so that I had to crawl in peril of my own life down its steep incline. Here, there were no trees, no grass, no beings that I could see; but only a weary stretch of red desert in which, at long intervals, strange columns of smooth blue light rose up to the sky; and there was not an end to these columns, they climbed forever. Then it was that I stood upon the land and wept, and the great beast, Terror, came out from his cave to watch me, leering upon his haunches which were like those of an ox. But I ceased y weeping, for there came from the ground a deep, sullen rumble, and the ground shook. I looked, and before me the earth opened to spew forth mountains which were as transparent as glass. As far as I could see, the mountains stood, and the place grew quiet once more. Lo! With a blubbering noise, lips formed upon the sides of the mountains and they began to wail, crying to the suns to bring rain upon the earth. And I saw that the trees and the parched white grass had caused the talking mountains to be created so that their greater and louder voices could call to the rain. But after a long time, the mountains stopped their cries, and walked away to the north where they arranged themselves into violet chains; strangely, they looked familiar. And above hung four young suns. Again I looked, and before me lay a pale green lizard---but this time he did not lift his lids to stare, but remained sleeping in the four sun's rays. And then I heard a voice which haunted me, ask: "Where is the road out of this hell, Yi-Das? And the lizard looked up, opening his eyes, and I screamed, for the pale lizard's eyes were my eyes; then there came blackness, and I wiggled my pale green body deeper into the soft gray dust and withered lids shut the glare of four suns from my eyes. ------------------ Now you may believe this tale to be but the fables of old men who have remained too long upon the dark star, Nobo. But this is not true, for the tale is the tale of Wali, and is written in the sacred book of Shalak-a-gah. No one but the priests may touch or read the great and wonderous book. But it is written that if one will but paint the sign of Baal-fa upon his tongue in green, shave his head so that it is smooth like the temple stone, and fast for twenty three days, the great one will cause a dream to come, and Lo!, it will be the tale I have just told. ---Finis--- ONE CAN NEVER KNOW (con't from page 19) ed shell -- ghastly remnants of a living, vibrant youth -- turned into dust and was blown over the gardens. And the silvery fire of (con't on page 42)
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