(C) - Names - A mystery of innocent power!

Essay – Names

Life is a series of ancient traditions and customs which are based on beliefs, nature, and politics. Christmas, mid-summer, and Mayday are perfect examples. But, there is one big tradition that is different. A tradition that is shared by everyone living on earth. This is the custom of names. You have a name and so does everyone else.

But, what came first? You or your name? Your first name was easy. Robert for boy and sally for girl. Boys' and girls' names and all from a fairly short list. And, your family name? No list needed at all.

At some point in time, people started taking their names from their jobs or their natural surroundings. This happened all over the world. Let's say you're a Smith. In days of old, you were a Smith because you worked as a smith. And, of course, in days of old, jobs were passed on from generation to generation, and, to a point, they still are. All very logical. Everyone wore the same hat for centuries and centuries. But, why was a smith called a smith? What came first? The job or the name? A kind of chicken and egg situation. And, why are chickens called chickens and eggs called eggs and not the other way round? Imagine an egg laying a chicken! It could easily have been. Names are a mystery!

But, names are not only innocent labels. Names have a much deeper function as well. Association. Names connect people with character. Names are suggestive. Names are impressive. Lionel, for example, conjurers up strength and position. Other names are not so effective. But, beware. People hang character on names. Be careful when choosing a name for your child. Names often reflect the stupidity of the parents who chose them!

But, names, very deep down, mean existence. Every thing that exists does so because of its name. We only know what we know. And, we know it because of its name. If it doesn't exist – it hasn't a name. Names have to wait for existence. You, too, had no name before you were born! Black-holes were nothing before being discovered – then came the label “black-hole”. And, now, every-one knows what a black-hole is.

But, the real mystery of names goes back a long way. When did people first use them? When did people become different enough to justify a name? Did names begin as nothing more than very simple sounds? Were names our very first words? And, when did speaking begin? All very good questions. But, one thing is clear. Names are the most important things that there are. Everyone has one, and when getting to know some-one new, the first thing one asks is their name. Most people are proud of their names and most people like hearing their names.

Names are special. Names are our characters and soul. And, at the end of the day, it is you who makes your name great.

Life is made up of ancient traditions. Names are not only strong, they are permanent, too. Your life is your name and your name is your life.

(B) Paris Maderna - A Ride and a Wall - A collision of interests

Paris Maderna

In those days, Paris Maderna was a colourful character. He was young, and not so much an inventor but a reinventor of things that had already been invented. And, when I got to know him he was busy reinventing the bike. And, one of his new ideas was not only brilliant, but rather unusual as well.

Paris Maderna's new bike looked more like a bed with three wheels than a bike. And, to ride it, one had to lie in it, not sit on it, and the pedals were up at the front and coupled to the front single wheel. And, riding it, Paris Maderna promised, was not only simple, but comfortable, too. And, I will never forget the day that I saw it in action.

To begin with, Paris Maderna explained how it worked. To steer to the right, one had to lean to the right, and vice-versa for left. There was no other way. The bike had neither steering wheel nor handlebars and to stop, one had to simply stop pedalling. It was all very simple. And, then with a smile and a grin Paris Maderna lowered himself into his bike and got ready for action.

And soon he was moving at speed. And then, at just the right distance from the fast approaching concrete wall, Paris Maderna leaned to the right. Nothing. The bike kept on going. Paris Maderna then leaned to the left. Again nothing. And then, with one last desperate effort, Paris Maderna leaned again to the right. And, the bike started turning. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Too late! The wall had been quicker than Paris Maderna, and the sound of the crash told it all. All we had to do was help Paris Maderna out of the wreckage and take him up the road for a beer.

But, of course, Paris Maderna didn't give up and soon he was back on the road with another idea. And now, all these years later, his range of products is not only exciting, but varied as well. The new age of cycling is with us and the hard work and peddling has been done by Paris Maderna! Persistence pays off and Paris Maderna has peddled to the top in a colourful way.

Paris Maderna – a colourful person with a range of colourful products.

Vocabulary

age - Zeitalter

approaching - annähend

comforts – Bequemlichkeiten

concrete wall – Betonmauer

desperate - verzweifelt

distance - Entfernung

handlebars - Lenkstange

inventor – Erfinder

leaned – (lean/leaned/leaned) - lehnen

neither nor – weder noch

pedalling – treten

relief - Erleichterung

shades - Schattierungen

sigh - Seufzen

steering - lenken

vice-versa – Gegenteil

The Great Escape - A bike and help were ready and waiting!

The Great Escape - A true end of war story as remembered by Mrs Kastner

It was ten years ago that Mrs. Kastner told me the incredible story of her brother Paul's amazing escape. And, it happened just after the end of the 2^nd World War.

Paul Wenzel – Mrs Kastner's brother, was being held in Germany in an American internment camp. Life was boring and dull. There was nothing to do. And, the only thing Paul Wenzel wanted was home. But, home was in Austria and that was along way-a-way. Dreaming was all Paul Wenzl could do.

But, dreams can sometimes come true, and, one day something more than incredible happened.

Paul Wenzel was on his own in a corner of the exercise yard and standing right next to a door. And, Paul Wenzl had seen this door many times before. But, this was the first time he actually saw it. And, out of curiosity, Paul Wenzel tried the handle. And, the handle moved. The door was unlocked. And, Paul Wenzel opened the door and stepped out into freedom. And, there, waiting for him was a miracle. Up against a wall - and just a few steps away - was a bike. And. Paul Wenzl knew it was waiting for him.

And, Paul Wenzel was up in the saddle – peddling like mad - and on his way home in the heat of a hot summer day. And, Paul Wenzl was lucky. There were no serious incidents during his three day trip, and the people he met were only too willing to help him with food, drink, and somewhere to sleep. But, that wasn't the end of the story.

Paul Wenzel had been home for two weeks when the twist to his story took place. It was Wednesday morning. Paul Wenzel had gone into town on his bike. And then, after doing what had to be done, it was time to go home. But, where was the bike? It was nowhere. It was gone. It had vanished into thin air. Paul Wenzel smiled.

The bike had helped him and now it was doing the same for somebody else. The bike, Paul Wenzl believed, had not only a life of its own but was special as well. It was a bike that gave help when real help was needed.

But, of course, the question remains. Was this fate or simply good luck, or even something much higher? But, whatever it was, it was true, and it changed Paul Wenzl for ever! The day he found a door that was open – stepped out into freedom and came home on a bike that was waiting for him! A truly remarkable story.

Vocabulary

curiosity - Neugier escape – Entkommen incredible – unglaublich

incident – Zwischenfall remarkable – bemerkenswert tale – Erzählung

(B) - Under an African Moon - A trip down to Africa

For full audio/visual text - please click here.

Picture - Elephant Family - by Nigel A JAMES

Erica Gang-Breuss

Under an African Moon

Some time ago, Erica Gang-Breuss went on holiday to Tanzania. A walking adventure with the Massai. And, what Erica Gang-Breuss got was more than a two week trip to the sun, she got a journey of discovery and contact. The very best holiday Erica had ever ever had. A walk in the sun.

And, walking is special. It's purely ground level and its speed is the same as all that surrounds you. You are neither quicker nor slower nor higher. You are as one with all that surrounds you. And, that which one sees and touches is the feeling of nature. And, East African nature with its fauna and flora is something that's special. And, being part of African speed is a wonderful feeling. And, Erica's first big surprise came at the end of her very first day. And, it was delicious!

The Massai, it was explained, had been eating the same meals for the last five thousand years and Erica understood this. This was pure natural living. And, Erica's second surprise was her bed for the night. It wasn't a bed! It was nothing more than a cover on the ground and a blanket. And, her room was a very crude shelter and outside were the wild prowling animals – and most of them looking for food. And, so with only a protective camp fire in front of this very simple shelter, did Erica lay down to dream - in this her first night - under an African moon!

And, the Massai are interesting people. Both ancient and modern. In a village was a wonderful school. A totally online school. A school which was part of the big outside world. The Massai have long since added the colour of learning to their already colourful lives. It's education that's keeping the past for tomorrow. And, tomorrow, like everywhere else, had long since arrived.

But, the real colours of Massai life are to be heard in the songs that the herdsmen still sing by the camp fire at night. These are the depths of African life. The African soul. Sounds that go deep. And, for Erica, these are the strongest memories of all. And, even now, she can still hear these tunes whilst walking in dreams. Tanzanian nature and the nicest people on earth.

This was a trip that went deep.

Erica Gang-Breuss - Under an African Moon

BLOG – Erica Africa

BLOG – Erica Africa

The Chicken Seller - A short essay by Nigel A JAMES

For full audio/visual page - please click HERE.

Picture - A Bridge from Where to Where - by Nigel A.  JAMES

In Austria, it is widely believed that refugees must have a good knowledge of German in order to work, settle, and integrate. This is far from the truth. Here is a story.

Last week, I was down at the market buying a chicken. The chicken stall was a small one-man stand, and the man who was selling the chickens was clearly quite happy. And, even though his German was practically nil, he was doing a very good job. Good morning, thank you, the price, and have a nice day were enough. And, of course, the non-spoken as well. His genuine smile. And, people who smile are usually very nice people. And, we got talking.

The chicken seller had been in Austria for just 6 very short months. His start hadn't been easy. He had arrived here with practically nothing at all. And, he had succeeded. He had established a living. And, selling grilled chickens had happened by chance, not design. When down at the bottom, one must be prepared to do everything and never say no. And, his earnings were thanks to ambition and very hard work. And, they were enough for his needs and much more as well.

And, the chicken seller had dignity. too. He was earning his very own money. He had his own little business. His life was his own. And, more importantly, the chicken seller had become an important part of Austrian life. Everyone everywhere loves a nice tasty chicken for lunch.

But, of course, the chicken seller was no refugee. The chicken seller was from the far west of Europe. A very poor region of Portugal. But, the dynamics were exactly the same for him and the refugees. But, with a very big difference. The chicken seller had the full right to work. For him, no restrictions at all. A dignified life. The refugees not!

If language is really the bridge to a very good job, then learn English not German. However, if German's the key to a full life in Austria (which it is), start working and German will come on its own. One doesn't need much to get by, and your interests will lead to the language you need.

So, work is the right bridge to language, not the other way round. And, the chicken seller, too, speaks very good English and has a very good life. Having one's very own money is the same as controlling one's life. Something that everyone wants.

Work is everyone's right! So, let's work together, Have a nice day!