[1312] in Depressing_Thoughts
The Fire
jcbourne@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (jcbourne@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Mon Jul 23 10:30:49 1990
Stay near the fire, for it will keep you safe and warm, away from the
night's harm. Remember to keep the fire burning throughout the night;
encourage it to keep burning bright, for a strong fire shall protect
you well. Stray not far from the fire, for it cannot protect you and
keep you warm if you leave its side. Stray not too close to the fire
for it is too hot for fair human flesh. Be not mesmerized by the fire.
Although its dancing colors are enchanting and delightful, forget not
your vigilent watch. Although beautiful nymphs and fairies seem to be
within the fire, do not reach into the fire to touch them; they are
only wonderful illusions of the fire. Know that if you put your hand
into the fire, you will get burned. And there shall be no one but
yourself to blame for your pain. Treated properly, the fire is your
friend; abused, the fire is your foe.
