All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

SEVEN OF SWORDS

Meet the Lord of Unstable Effort.

Decan: Moon in 21 - 30 degrees of AquariusTree of Life Association: Venus in Netzach (Seventh Emanation)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Unstable Effort

Open music in a new window.

   You continue to travel with Mr. Mellifluous through the realm of Swords and realize that you have wandered into a war zone. You stumble upon a man, who is not in uniform, stealing swords from an enemy encampment. He, in fact, appears to be more of a prankster than a soldier, and he seems to be performing a comic act instead of committing an act of war. Awkwardly carrying five swords, he tiptoes away with a silly grin on his face. Confused, you gaze at Mr. Mellifluous.

   “What subtle presences are influencing him, do you think?” Mr. Mellifluous inquires.

The High Priestess: The Moon

   “This seems like some form of lunacy,” you respond, “so maybe he's experiencing the influence of The Moon.”
   “Yes, and what else?” Mr. Mellifluous asks.
   “I'm not sure. He's all alone, so he's not really going to have much of an impact on the outcome of the war. His efforts seem unstable, even silly, but by making himself vulnerable, he might be trying to make a point, to force us to examine the source of the conflict. He seems to be someone who is willing to take great personal risk to get us to ask some pretty basic questions about ourselves and our motivations. Even though he appears to be more like a clown than a soldier, he might be operating from some higher awareness.”
   “What would this higher awareness look like?” Mr. Mellifluous asks.

The Star: Aquarius

   You close your eyes and envision a woman kneeling by a pond, pouring water from a jug in one hand onto the land and liquid from the another jug into the water. A large star hovers directly above her and seven other smaller stars surround the large star. “I see a woman, a Goddess perhaps, who is giving energy to the world, to the land and the water. She seems guided by some higher awareness, represented by the stars above her. She is a mystical healer who refreshes the rivers and bestows life upon the land. She provides streams of inspiration and hope and wisdom. She is like Venus, who brings great beauty and harmony and love into the world.”

The Empress: Venus

   You stare at the jester, who might end up sacrificing himself for what he believes is a higher cause. “You think I'm foolish,” he seems to be saying. “This war, with its pageantry and pomp, might be an even greater act of foolishness, which could disrupt and destabilize our entire society. I am merely stealing a few swords while soldiers are killing each other and innocent women and children so that people in power can take the property. Think carefully, soldiers, before you are even more foolish than I am!”

   Mr. Mellifluous smiles and nods. "Yes, indeed, he is being influenced by Aquarius...."

The King of Swords

   Meanwhile, Claire noticed a King down below her. Feeling great curiosity, Claire swooped down next to him.

   The King, who seemed deep in thought, blinked his eyes and smiled. "Well, my fairy child, how are you today?"

   Claire curtsied and bowed her head in respect, "I am very well, thank you, your majesty."

   The King suddenly turned serious. "I am curious, my child. As an Air Elemental, a sylph, are you aware that the sword symbolically represents the element of Air?"

   "I am learning many new and wonderful things, your majesty," Claire responded with a smile. 

   "Why do you think the sword is an important symbol for us, my child?"

   Claire squinted at the sword for a moment, then responded, "The sword, I think, has many important uses, your majesty."

   "Indeed," the King nodded. "What kinds of uses, my child?"

   Claire focused on the sword and blurted out her first thought, "It shows great power, your majesty!"

   "Yes, very good. The sword represents types of power, especially the power of thought."

   "You mean like cutting through lies to get to the truth?" Claire inquired.

   "Very good, you are indeed a bright sylph!"

   "You can also use it to defend yourself and your kingdom!" Claire exclaimed.

   "Yes, yes, go on," the King smiled.

   As Claire stared at the sword, one idea after another came to her. "You can heal by cutting away disease. You can create harmony through law and order and balance through justice." Claire felt proud of herself for sounding so smart. "You can create harmony and order in the world!" she added, as if she couldn't contain herself.

   The King laughed, "As a human fairy, you have a unique skill, a special power: You can create harmony and balance for yourself and others through your thoughts and feelings, just like you create music in your heart. Music is an art form. Through heart and mind together you create subtle thought forms that can create harmony for yourself and others. Just like most people cannot hear the music in your heart, others will also probably never be aware of your thought forms, some of which might be so powerful that they change the world in some way. The mind, like the sword, gives you great power, but you must learn to use it wisely."

   "Thank you, your majesty." As the King turned his attention to other matters, Claire stared a long time at the sword, as though absorbing its power with her mind.

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

   

   

 All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

EIGHT OF SWORDS

Meet the Lord of Shortened Force.

Decan: Jupiter in 1 - 10 degrees of GeminiTree of Life Association: Mercury in Hod (Eighth Sphere)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Shortened Force

Open music in a new window.

   Finally in sunlight again, you and Mr. Mellifluous stroll along the seashore until you meet a blindfolded woman bound by strips of cloth. She remains hesitant to move because of the eight large swords that surround her. In the distance, a castle dominates the cliff, and since no one else is in sight, you suspect that someone in the castle reduced her to this condition. Frightened by the sight, you long again for the freshness of the garden.

The Lovers: Gemini

   You and Mr. Mellifluous find yourselves before the Archangel, who speaks, “Even though immersed in powerful liberating forces, the mortal aspect of the self can become trapped by limiting beliefs.

The Magician: Mercury

   "The intellect, the sphere of Mercury, limits internal and external forces, resulting in the splendor of just proportion within the human mind and within civilization, but the intellect can also have negative effects: It can imprison you with false ideas, blind you to the spiritual dimension, and lead to many kinds of abuses, especially abuses of power.

Wheel of Fortune: Jupiter

   “But no mind can be confined forever. Eventually the blindfold falls off and the bonds break. The magnificence, harmony and abundance of the spirit, qualities of Jupiter, radiate through the heart and mind. You recognize your immortal essence when your personality, soul and divine core become integrated, and you dance within the eternal processes of change, transformation and regeneration.”
   You are tempted to help the woman, but you suspect that she will soon liberate herself from the bonds that hold her captive.

Queen of Elemental Air

   Claire was tired, so she flew down to the trees. Suddenly an enchanting fairy appeared in front of her.

   Claire was startled but happy that she had finally met another fairy.

   "Why, my little one, you are one of the rare fairies! Are you tired, my child?"

   Claire felt the need to be extremely polite. "May I inquire who you are, my lady?"

   "I am the Queen of the element of Air, the mother of Sylphs. My husband is Peralda, King of Elemental Air, and our realm is all around you. We serve the great Archangel Raphael, the Healer of God, who maintains harmony and balance in our world. Together with Raphael, we control the movement of air and bring harmony to thought patterns in humans and other creatures. With one glance, we can capture your most fleeting and innermost thoughts. By the breath of our commands, we call the fairies to maintain harmony in all things, from the largest tree to the tiniest seed. As a human fairy child, you have joined us in creating this profound music. Unlike most humans, you can hear a vast orchestra of living music if you just close your eyes." 

   Claire closed her eyes and could hear the music of the planet. When she opened them again, the Queen continued, "But the thoughts of people are often as chaotic and violent as the howling wind, which you have no doubt experienced in this realm of Swords, which we rule. 

   "Lovely human fairies like you can sense the negative feelings of people and calm them with the music in your heart and the breath of your harmonious spirit. The King and I are pleased that you bring harmony and balance to humans, and we thank you for your service."

   Claire nodded and curtsied. Before Claire could say, "Happy to be of service," the Queen was  gone.

   

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

 NINE OF SWORDS

Meet the Lord of Despair and Cruelty.

Decan: Mars in 11 - 20 degrees of GeminiTree of Life Association: The Moon in Yesod (Ninth Emanation)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Despair and Cruelty

Open music in a new window.

   The sun had peaked through for awhile, but once again you find yourself in darkness. “There is much darkness in this part of the realm,” Mr. Mellifluous sighs. Suddenly you encounter a door and open it, hoping to find shelter for the night.

   A woman sits up in a bed, her hands covering her eyes, as though she is trapped in deep despair. Nine huge swords, three of which almost seem to pierce her, hang upon the black wall. The scene is so depressing that you wish you were back in the garden with the lovers and the Archangel and the golden sun.

The Lovers: Gemini

   Suddenly you and Mr. Mellifluous are back in Eden. The Archangel speaks, “The lightning bolt of Mars can disrupt your world and leave you in a dark night of the soul, where you are cut off from the higher spiritual dimensions. In that dark night, you end up projecting your anger and fear outward at others, and your despair turns to cruelty.

The Burners

   "The unbalanced force of Mars manifests as The Burners. Those fiery devils sear and scorch your very soul. They glow as they blister and broil you. Their flames ignite hatred and anger that smolders and smokes. They want burn everything around you down to the ground. More than anything, they love ashes.

The Tower: Mars

   “But Mars is also a God of the cleansing power of Fire, a force that can eliminate feelings of defeat and loss and conflict and inner poverty that keep you mired in darkness. The power of Fire can eliminate all negativity and open up the higher dimensions of the mind and spirit so that you experience the freshness of the garden once again and know your immortal essence.

The High Priestess: The Moon

   “In the darkness, the Moon can guide you, illuminating the symbols of the subtle forces that connect you to the spiritual dimensions.” Suddenly you notice the faint symbols interspersed with red roses on the blanket of the suffering woman, and you unexpectedly feel hope that the woman will overcome her despair and experience the power of the life-force on all levels of being.

Knight of Wands

with Claire

   As Claire glided over a desert, she noticed a fiery knight down below her. As she winged down to the ground, his horse suddenly reared when she got close to him.

   "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle your horse!" Claire exclaimed.

   "Don't worry, he does that all the time. I think he's just getting used to my power."

   "What kind of power? If you don't mind me asking," Claire's voice suddenly trailed off as the horse reared again.

   "It's an awesome spiritual power, a kind of passionate willpower, I think." The horse reared again. "I'm not sure that I am totally in control of it yet!"

   "Oh, my! You sure it isn't my fault?"

   "Oh, no. It's this wand. It's kind of complicated," he yelled as his horse reared again. "I am a Knight of the Element of Air, which means I use my mind, my intellect, whatever you want to call it, all the time. But this wand--when I hold this wand, I feel the element of Fire, which gives me passion--it's a passionate spiritual will, which I can use for the highest good--if I can control it!" His horse reared again. "Whoa," he shouted several times until his horse settled down again.

   "But why are you here--in a desert?"

   "I have searched forty days for the pyramids so that I can study the great mysteries and learn the secret powers of passion and knowledge, and I have finally found them. As you can see, the pyramids are right over there, and I need to explore them now!"

   "Okay, good luck!" Claire shouted as he rode off, his horse rearing several more times as he approached the pyramids.

   

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

TEN OF SWORDS

Meet the Lord of Ruin.

Decan: Sun in 21 - 30 degrees of GeminiTree of Life Association: The Four Elements in Malkuth (Tenth Sphere)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Ruin

Open music in a new window.

   Feeling your way through darkness, suddenly a light peaks through the clouds, and you stumble upon a man face down, with ten swords in his back. Oddly, there is no blood on the ground, and the sea in the distance remains calm.

The Lovers: Gemini

   Feeling sorry for the man, you wonder if the sun will ever shine again through the clouds, and suddenly you and Mr. Mellifluous are in a garden with a emperor and empress beneath an awe-inspiring archangel. Just above the archangel's head, a brilliant light radiates from a golden sun.

The Sun: Path 30

   The man and the woman in the garden resemble the couple who were chained to the Devil's block, yet the couple in the garden have found freedom, and you sense that the couple have somehow been liberated from their lower instincts, the archangel hovering over them like some higher awareness.
   Suddenly the Archangel speaks, “In moments of great suffering and paralysis, the higher self sometimes shines through, and the conditioned personality becomes aware of the immortal aspect of the Self. The lower personality exists within duality, both masculine and feminine, and the sensitive feminine aspect sometimes glimpses the higher self, known as the soul. Deep within the soul dwells the divine core, the quintessence of spirit, which shines like a golden sun.
   “The instincts often block the experience of the garden. The person who lives by his instincts seeks immediate gratification without recognizing that physical and subtle forces are interwoven within a vast cosmic tapestry. The soul, once awakened, understands its connection to the subtle forces and is aware both that the lower personality has a dual nature and that the divine core transcends worldly existence.

Page of Swords

   “The intellect can also block the experience of the garden. It can wander like a child with its head in the clouds, always looking over its shoulder with divided attention, or through skepticism it can kill any possibility for spiritual development. The golden butterflies of transformation cannot be seen here. The intellect has great difficulty seeing beyond ruin and tragedy to the higher self and the Sun behind the sun, but in time, the intellect becomes essential in helping the personality become integrated with the soul and the divine core--and one with the Source.”

Knight of Pentacles

with Claire

   Claire noticed a knight on a horse galloping through a field, and she dove down to the earth to find out what the knight was doing. The horse was running so fast that she had difficulty keeping up, and she had to yell to get the knight's attention.

   "Have you learned how to use your sword?" Claire shouted.

   "Yes, can't you see that I am rushing into battle?" the knight yelled back.

   "What are you fighting for?" Claire shouted back.

   The knight didn't answer. Claire had to fly faster and faster to keep up.

   "Are you trying to help someone in danger?"

   The knight didn't answer.

   "Are you fighting for justice?"

   No answer.

   "Who are you fighting?" Claire yelled, unable to keep up any longer.

   "I am acting for the highest good!"

   Claire could hear only hear the horse's hooves from that point on as the knight galloped away.

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

 

The Ace of Pentacles

with Claire

CORRESPONDING COLOR: White, flecked gold.

Reversed: poverty, lost potential or opportunity; lack of stability; inability to grow.

Open music in a new window.

THE ROOT OF THE ELEMENT OF EARTH

   A hand extending from a cloud cups a golden pentacle. In the garden below it, a walkway leads through a leafy archway, through which mountains can be seen in the distance, suggesting the heights that can be attained in the material realm. Unlike all the other Aces, no Yods can be seen anywhere. The seeds of the life-force manifest in this realm. The lilies in the foreground emphasize the resurrection that occurs in the cycle of birth, life, death, and regeneration.
   We can see Claire flying over and touching the golden pentacle. Mr. Mellifluous smiles as he states, "This is a good time to review what we've learned so far. The pentagram is a symbol that represents spirit manifested harmoniously in matter. The pentacle is gold to suggest the incorruptibility of spirit. As the suit of Pentacles reveals, within the manifested world is much suffering, the light of spirit managing to shine through sometimes even in the worst conditions. But there is also magic, which we can see if we open our hearts to the luminous spirit manifesting in ordinary things and events.
   "The Ace of Pentacles represents the element of Earth, and it is known as 'the root of the element of form' because it corresponds to Kether, the Crown of Creation, in other words, the Source of Manifestation. The pentagram can be drawn in one continuous motion, suggesting its unity of form, but unlike the circle, which has no beginning or end, one can begin drawing the pentagram at any of its five points, each of which has various symbolic associations. In an elegant way, the pentagram reveals the unity of the states of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, and the fifth element of Spirit, or Aether, reflecting the esoteric doctrine that four visible states have their root in a fifth, invisible state.
   "Like the circle, the pentagram establishes boundaries. As a five-pointed figure, the pentagram stems from the fifth Sephira, or Emanation, on the Tree of Life known as Geburah (meaning “power” or “severity”). Geburah restricts and controls energy on all levels of being like an engine controls gasoline so that the vehicle will operate. In other words, the severity of Geburah restricts force so that force functions harmoniously within manifestation.

The Tree of Life with Magical Images

   "It is therefore appropriate that the pentagram is a figure representing the most harmonious force in the cosmos, the Christ-force, which balances all the forces of the Tree. The letters of a familiar name of God, also known as the Tetragrammaton, are positioned on the points of the star to reflect this symbolic meaning. The Tetragrammaton contains the Hebrew letters Yod Heh Vau Heh, which spells the unpronounceable name of God, Yahweh, or Jehovah. Reflecting how manifestation occurs down through the planes of force and form, Yod represents the element of Fire, Heh represents Water, Vau Air, and final Heh Earth, Fire and Air being active planes of force, Water and Earth being passive planes of form. Each of these elements is associated with a suit in the Tarot, Fire with Wands, Water with Cups, Air with Swords, and Earth with Pentacles. To continue the association chain, Fire represents the spiritual plane, Water the mental plane, Air the astral plane, and Earth the physical plane. the Hebrew letter Shin, which signifies the spiritual Aether, the root of manifestation. When Shin is positioned in the center of the God name Yahweh, a new word is created: Yeheshuah. This is a name of Christ--down through the years it has morphed into the name Jesus. Shin is positioned at the top of the pentagram to show how the other four elements manifest harmoniously from the root energy. One can draw a star that moves from the most active energies of manifestation to the most passive in one continous motion, beginning with Aether at the top, moving to the lower right point (Fire), then to the upper left point (Air), then over to the upper right point (Water), then to the lower left point (Earth), then back to the top.

Knight of Pentacles

with Claire

   Claire notices a knight in armor on a black horse below her and flies down to say hello. As she gets closer, Claire sees the golden pentacle in his hand, and she remembers her friend the Queen of Pentacles. Claire wings close to see what might happen.

   "Hello, my name is Claire. Do you by any chance know the Queen of Pentacles?"

   "Why, yes, of course."

   "The Queen let me touch one of her glowing pentacles. She was very nice."

   "Well, young lady, in that case it is indeed nice to meet you."

   "I think pentacles are lovely," Claire smiled. "Can you tell me why they look like that?"

   "Well, a pentacle resembles a gold coin, and, of course, money is a type of energy that makes the world go around, but what the pentacle looks like is not as important as what it can help you do. If you gaze at a pentacle long enough, you can fill your imagination with powerful energy so that your thoughts take root in the world and grow, just as seeds do."

   "Oh, how magical!" Claire exclaims. "Can I gaze at the pentacle and maybe even touch it too?"

   "Well, I guess so, if you know the Queen," the Knight mumbles.

   As Claire touches the pentacle, she feels engulfed by the light of the sun and suddenly knows that she is one with the Source. Because she likes the Queen of Pentacles very much, Claire imagines that she is also a wise Queen who brings harmony and abundance to her realm. For a moment, Claire turns her gaze toward the tilled field next to her, and she feels like she is planting her thought not in the earth but in the mind of the Source of all Creation. She suddenly knows without a doubt that she will have the qualities of a queen someday. She is so sure that she just lets her thought go, like a seed, feeling grateful about the energies that are manifesting in her life.

   

 Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

TWO OF PENTACLES

Meet the Lord of Harmonious Change.

Decan: Jupiter in 1 - 10 degrees of CapricornTree of Life Association: Zodiac in Chokmah (Second Emanation)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Harmonious Change

Open music in a new window.

   You find your way to the docks with Mr. Mellifluous, where a juggler is performing on a stage. The street performer is dancing while juggling two golden pentacles within a green strip of ribbon that resembles the infinity symbol, a horizontal figure-eight.

The Devil: Capricorn

   As ships go up and down, balancing on waves behind the juggler, life feels like an eternal dance. Mesmerized, you continue to stare at the performer, thinking of the harmony of the life forces. Suddenly you are standing in front of the Devil, who is perched on a block that chains a man and woman to him. “The fortunes of humanity constantly change. One moment you can be king, the next lower than the dust. The key is dancing through the changes with rhythm and balance.
   “Connected to powerful life forces, like an eternal child, the higher self handles the harshest conditions and the most tragic events. Though deeply affected by them, the higher self can eventually let go of the negativity and continue dancing. You do not have to be a king to have a spirit that maintains balance—you can be a humble worker or a simple juggler.

Wheel of Fortune: Jupiter

   “This is the wisdom of the sphinx on the Wheel of Fortune that continually turns in the eternal process of transformation and regeneration. In this state the elements within you remain integrated and golden, harmonious and incorruptible. You thrill to the life-forces as you revel in the dance. No matter your status or condition, you are a magnificent spiritual being, full of harmony and knowledge, rhythm and inner abundance, sympathy and love.”

Three of Cups

with Claire

   As Claire flew over what appeared to be a festival far below, she felt a little hungry and thought maybe someone below might share some food. As she slowly spiraled to the ground, she noticed women raising golden cups as they danced gracefully together to some lively music. When Claire reached the ground, she stood quietly, mesmerized by the lovely dance.

   One of the women noticed her. "Would you like to celebrate with us, child? Before you join us in the dance, however, you absolutely must partake of the abundance!" One of the women handed her grapes, another a pear, and the third an apple. Claire smiled as she savored the delicious fruit and observed the dance steps. Suddenly, as she realized that all of her senses were engaged, she felt one with the music. She drank from a golden cup and joined the women in the dance.

   Claire became more and more caught up in the spell as night fell. She felt that the world around her and the planet and the solar system were one with her in the dance. The entire cosmos was energy dancing in harmony. She glanced up at the stars and felt that even though she was tiny, she could be a magnificent and loving point of consciousness in the community of all life.

   

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.

 All Text, Music, and Illustrations, including Paintings, Photographs, and 3D models, Copyright © 2022 by Jim Robbins.  

THREE OF PENTACLES

Meet the Lord of Material Works.

Decan: Mars in 11 - 20 degrees of CapricornTree of Life Association: Saturn in Binah (Third Sphere)

Mr. Mellifluous and the Lord of Material Works

Open music in a new window.

   You are suddenly with Mr. Mellifluous in a cathedral, and you wonder if you are going to see the Hierophant again. Instead, you encounter a master mason, a monk, and an architect. The mason works diligently to complete the delicate designs of the church even as the other two consult about the work.
   The three are working together, but you can't hear what they are saying. Suddenly, you are back with The Devil, which is a little shocking since you were just in a cathedral.

The Devil: Capricorn

   As if reading your mind, The Devil speaks, “You must see beyond appearances and remember that I am a Sphinx who reveals the sacred life forces as they manifest in nature and humanity. In this cathedral you are seeing the life-forces manifesting down the planes in the act of creation, from the spiritual to the archetypal to the mental to the emotional to the physical. This human process of creation is as much a part of who I am as any flower or act of love.

The World: Saturn

   “In this act of creation, you are witnessing representatives of the spiritual and intellectual aspects of the mind working with the mason to manifest a magnificent structure where the community can gather and worship the Source, the One Life Force that began all acts of creation. The Greeks knew me as Pan. As a God I oversee the natural world with its powerful life forces, but the human act of creation is also influenced by powerful Gods on the Pillar of Severity on the Tree of Life: Saturn and Mars. You will find that another God on the Pillar of Severity, Mercury, who is Mars on a lower arc, also plays a a significant role. These are Gods that restrict force in just proportions.

The Tower: Mars

   “Saturn is a God of the initial restriction of spiritual impulse in primal form. Mars, who is Saturn on a lower arc, can be an awesome force in the service of truth and spiritual development. Mars also disciplines vast armies. But Mars is also restrictive in the sense of a form restricting a force to make them both work productively together, like an engine that uses fuel efficiently to propel a machine. Mercury, who is Mars on a lower arc, 'shortens force' through thought in order to manifest spiritual, mental and emotional impulses effectively and appropriately. In other words, the mason and the monk and the architect together, in their way, are also like the magician.”
   You are beginning to realize that Saturn, Mars, and Mercury have greatly influenced the creation of cities and cultures as you gaze in admiration at the monk, the architect, and the mason.

The Page of Swords

with Claire

   Meanwhile, Claire was flying around as usual, and she noticed someone below who might be close to her age. As she approached, Claire realized that the person was indeed young and was carrying a very large sword. Claire flew close and waved, trying to get the person's attention, but the person seemed preoccupied.

   "Hello!" Claire exclaimed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

   "Oh, sorry, I didn't notice you."

   "By the way, my name is Claire. How do you do?"

   "I'm fine, I think. My name is Princess of the Rushing Winds. Somebody might be following me.  You might think about moving along."

   "Nice to meet you," Claire replied. "I like your sword. So large and intimidating."

   "Yes, it is, but it's very hard to carry all the time. I don't really know how to use it yet. I'm just learning, you know, but some people look at me like they want to fight me, so I have to be careful where I go and who I'm with, you know. I don't want to put anyone else in danger." The Princess turned to Claire and said, "I must look pretty clumsy to you."

   "Oh, no, you seem pretty agile, even graceful, Princess."

   "You're very kind. A lot of people say that I need to learn how to use this thing instead of running around and playing all day long, so they make me carry it everywhere I go. They say I have my head in the clouds, but I'm afraid sometimes of others with swords and what I might end up doing with my sword someday. Do you think I'm dangerous? 

   "Maybe a little," Claire smiled. "We're all learning. I learn something new every day, and I'm sure that you will learn how to use that sword someday. I guess we just need to learn how to use things wisely."

   The Princess had already turned away, looking far off into the distance.

   Claire waved as she lifted off the ground. "Well, you seem busy. Goodbye! Nice to meet you!" she shouted as she flew away.

Go on a different adventure with Mr. Mellifluous.