Books
The Pied Piper
“Yarning”, the raveling or unraveling of one’s imagination is like a huge ball of yarn. It is a great ability to stretch. To create in such a way as to open up a child’s willingness to use his/her imagination? Though they may not be as capable of expressing it with words or pictures, their mental focus on what we say in the telling of a story, makes them eager and ready to learn, thereby, strengthening their ability to, not only, express but, to transfer their feelings, putting them into words, for the benefit of sharing what they have heard, with others. Interestingly, the Enchantment of the tale within can, oftentimes, boost their enthusiasm, thereby, giving and adding length to their attention span. Have you ever wondered what animals do at night? Where do the birds go at sunset? Where? Why does the element of surprise, make you jump, nearly, out of your skin? Children say, “Oooohhhh! You scared my tummy!” Then, they realize, that it’s just a story. Then, they say, “Do it, again!!?” What makes reading so much fun? It allows us to build our own, personal, imaginations. Some of us never, seem to “out-grow” it. If you are thirty-something (or forty, fifty, or even, sixty-something +?), there is always, that “thing” we call our “inner child”, just waiting for the next chance to surface. To put a calm and gentle finger to the softness of their chins, smiling and giving them a tender, “coochy-coo!”. That self-same gesture, from there, leads to “Thumbelina” to “The Canterville Ghost”!? A bit of our character is built here. It even builds our personal sensitivities.., causing laughter, and filling us with such intrigue and suspense, that we cannot wait to turn the page. Why, it can even jerk a tear from us, somehow, stirring that side of our emotions? Have you ever seen a picture of a tree? Picture it in your mind. One, where there are bright, green leaves.., bluebirds.., and a yellow, sun? Soft, green grass at the base of it? Why not, look a bit closer.., see the child there.., beneath the tree? Does he (or she) have a book? Can you imagine that the child.., is you?
Oh, yes.., “The Pied Piper”.., it’s not your grandmother’s old bedtime story?
I do hope that you enjoy this tale.
Alvin E. Jordan, Sr. and the Inspiration of “His” Pied Piper?
Hello, readers and those who show a bit of an interest to the book and this title with ‘yours truly’ as the Author. I am simply thrilled to have had the experience with the writing of this wildly told “Texas Tall Tale”. I tried my level best to write it and present it as a literary piece of material that has so many wonderful aspects and facets to it? I think.., and I do believe that I accomplished just that! Exactly the way I wanted the story told?
While writing this tale, I learned a great deal about myself.., as a “STORYTELLER”! I found that in order to tell a good story, I must continue to search, seek and even scour a whole countryside of books, you know the ones!? Those parts that builds a certain attitude that fits totally and precisely, into each and every thought, before it is written, every idea as it truly, pertains to that certain fit inside of the story that can and will, grab you by your mind and hold you fast, into the grips of whatever the idea presents from the very beginning! The ride that you are about to take, is and should be the kind of ride you take and when it is over, you exit the rear door of the bus and immediately, you run back towards the front door of the bus.., you get aboard and you take another ride!
As a former teacher of a Child Development Education Class, for children 3 to 5 years of age, I felt compelled to take them on the journeys, kind of an IN and OUT journey? Out into the forest but, still, INside of the classroom? I had a “knack” for taking the class on journeys like that!? Every day, around 4 p.m., the time when parents will later, begin to pick their children up and head for home, I felt that it was an appropriate time for a time out and into the forest!? That forest was located inside the minds of every child in my class!! My own imagination, pitted for and against theirs turned out to be something truly exciting!? For example, with my creation of a character (A 4 feet tall Jackrabbit) called “Prince Jack”. I would lure them into a sequence or a part or portion of the story, particularly when the Wolf named Woodrow or a very clever Fox named Freddy or even a Weasel named Willie, and I don’t dare leave out the ‘classiest’ character (a villain) of them all, a ‘hat-wearing cat named “Billy? I always built an opportunity and fixed it where “PJ” would get into a situation where there was a possibility for him to be eaten by one of these predators? I would get the class to follow the main character into that situation? I would use words like, “..,closer and closer…” and suddenly, I would use another of my favorite words, “he leaped!!” Creating and using these two words, that would also create the element of surprise? It is the exact same technique used in movies. I remember once, there was a little girl in my class and she was so “caught up” into the story that when this portion of the story was suddenly presented, she said, kind of loudly, “Ohh!! Alvin, you scared my tummy!? Do it, again!?” Achieving a sense of enjoyment for this age of an audience was just as thrilling for me as well as each child there. I loved it and so did they!
An Unexpected Inspiration
Having had the pleasure to meet and begin a friendship with a wonderfully fascinating woman that I had the distinct pleasure to work with (no, it was not a “love interest”). Her name was Tammy Jackson. On this particular morning as I came in to work (I worked for an Aerospace Company), there was this young Black woman sitting inside her car. She was waiting for me to come in to work as she was quite a bit early to begin her first day of work. She was hired as a ‘writer’ for the Company? As I was responsible for the care and upkeep of the building, I was also responsible for making sure that the people that were hired as writers could and would have access to the things in particular, materials and such, so that they could do their assigned jobs? I got out of my pickup truck and with my keys in-hand, I opened the door, we spoke, “Good morning”, as we went into the building, I directed her into an office that she was instructed to use for her assignment. I went into the kitchen to make coffee. Our friendship began there.
After about two weeks, she was having lunch in her office, I was also having lunch but, as usual, I was walking around making sure that all of the ‘writers’ had all of the materials and such things as they needed. She asked if I cared to sit down and have lunch with her. I declined the offer and chose to I stand just inside the office doorway. She asked about my life, just things in general. So, rather than stand there telling her about me, my family and the like, for she had already told me a little about her family. I had already met her husband (Marvin) and her newborn son. I do not remember his name? However, I do recall the extent of what I told her. I told her that I had (at my home), under my bed a briefcase (or satchel, as I prefer to call it), containing a few of my ‘treasures’? Two of the items inside that satchel were copies of a book, entitled, “Flying High”, written by another wonderful person of whom I met years before now? He was recorded as standing only 5’7” tall. He played Professional Basketball With a team in their Home State of Georgia, The Atlanta Hawks! His name was Anthony Webb, his family and his friends called him “Spud”, of whom I had the distinct pleasure to meet at the age of ten years? He was a member of the Turnkey Boys’ Club, located within the City of Dallas, Texas. Also, inside of that satchel was one of the last articles in the now, defunct, Dallas Times Herald Newspaper. I was featured in the “Style” section. My class of 23 young children was the focal point of the news piece. The very next day I brought the satchel to work with me. Upon seeing my new friend, Mrs. Jackson, I, without delay, put the satchel in her hands. About a week or so later, she brought it in and returned it to me. Immediately, as it changed hands, she exclaimed, “Alvin, you have no business working here?! You should be somewhere working with kids!? Boy!? You’re like the, “Pied Piper”?! Kids seem to flock around you so!?” The idea stuck in my head. I began researching all that I knew about TPP? One of the first things that got my attention was the fact that, nobody knew where this lad came from? Nobody knew his name? Where did he get that “magic” Flute from? How did it get its’ magic? So, I sat down with most of the information that I gathered and I started to build a storyline? On the 31st day of December, 2007, I sat down at my computer and began writing my version of “The Pied Piper”. Four days short of two years, later, as when I sat down and wrote the first seven words of that book, I typed onto the bottom of the page, the last two words of that story. “The End”.
After I received the first two copies, plus, about 14 copies more, the first person that came to my mind was Tammy Jackson? I called her up, early that same afternoon. We made plans to meet for lunch? The next day, having finished lunch, we were sitting and talking about all of the things that we were fond of as we worked for “our” Company. Having kept the book as well as a bag that I was trying very hard to keep away from her, I decided that it was time to present her with evidence of what I thought was her inspiration for me, reached down into the bag and came up with a copy of her very own personal copy of “THE PIED PIPER”.
We left the restaurant, hoping to see each other and maybe, have a family get-together or something? Several months later that year, I called her up, anxious to hear from her? Marvin, her husband, answered the phone. He was sad, not like his usual self? He informed me that Tammy, his wife, had passed away. I was devastated. He and I talked very, briefly. It was so sad to lose such a friend? I think, that Marvin and his very young son, moved back to California? I have not heard from him sense? Hopefully, as this information gets out there, he will reach out to me.., hopefully?
A Different Approach to this Title?
There are several writings that match this title. However, none of them have taken the approach and research efforts nor have they taken the time to create such a tale as this particular version of the story. A lad who came into the town of Hamelin, Germany. The story, to the best of my knowledge, was written by Author Robert Browning. A lad, enters the town and quickly, discovers that the town is being overrun by rats!?
The young man speaks with the Magistrates and assures them that he has the solution to their problem? They strike a deal with him. At midnight, the lad has already prepared how the deed will be done. At the stroke of midnight, the lad takes out a flute.., a “MAGIC” one? Upon playing it, each rat, against its’ own will and its’ instincts, follows the huge trail of those that are in front and ahead of them. They are removed from the town, never to be heard of, again!! The next day, the lad goes back to the Magistrates to receive payment for his promise. Everyone in the town is happy!! Happy are they now!? There is not a rat in sight!? However, there is one person that is not happy!? The lad. He is not happy. He has not been paid!? To make a short story shorter, by his not receiving payment for a job well-done, “If I am not paid what is owed to me by midnight, I will take your children!?” No money, no honey!! Every child within reason and being weaned from the suckling of his Mothers’ Milk, lines up and the children of Hamelin are led up, into a high mountain? There, they are kept until such wages are paid… in full!!
Not one of the different versions of this story give any origin to the tale? Especially, in reference to authors “The Brother’s Grimm, Johann von Goethe and Robert Browning’s versions, there are no origins? Taking it upon myself, with the imagination that is required, I gave the story quite a bit of it! “ORIGIN”, that is! Making this tale even more interesting and fun to read, I added quite a host of villains!? I threw in a good measure of very evil and very sharp, politicians, some very mean and deadly, I added several “minion” types? Nasty, mean, treacherous, filled with skullduggery, mauling, murderous and malicious! And something one can eat with their pasta, a very crude and devoted Sorceress plus, a small group of outrageous witches!!?? Last but, not least, I found, through and by my research, a very angry and ominous “Demon”!!? One, of a ‘female’ persuasion!? Women are going to love her!!! From her introduction, to her… oooohh!! She is the right touch for the ending of this MASTERPIECE of a Tale!!
The “lad” in the story is none other than Isaac Jones, Junior? He is created without your everyday obvious, Black child mold? He is considered to be a “Mulatto” child? He is very intelligent, bright, patient, kind and generous and witty!? But, be careful!!? Although, all of these aforementioned qualities are for real, he has had training in the areas of self-defense, giving him a clear understanding of the “Marquis of Queensbury” Rules? Especially, the first and last rule; the First Rule “Be Fair”, the Last Rule, “Protect yourself, at all times.” Then, there is the usage of his skills of “survival”? Theoretically, this is his mindset, “Kill or be Killed” but, only if your life or the life of another human being is threatened? By the end of the tale, you will find that the number of men he has killed can be counted on one hand and on that one hand, there are plenty of fingers that remain upon it!!?? The trick is, to use “other things” to assist you in your quest for survival? Using brute or deadly force is not always the answer to a problem? Personally, I would prefer using my wit and my fists to settle arguments, disagreements and such? Back-in-the-day, there were only a few times that I had to use my fists? I never had to use any of a list of various weapons. Believe it or not, a few of my best friends became my best friend because of the respect that was shown from me to them and vice-versa? Lastly, always try to use “wit” as your #1 tactic.., before the use of brute force. And then, there may be times where one must use his/her, feet? Run! Running away does not mean that you are a coward? It could mean that you are smart and ultimately, you are still, alive.
I also added another symbol of “strength” and “Power” to the arsenal of the character of Isaac Jones, Junior, but I will not reveal what it is at this time? I’m afraid that you will have to find out, on your own, of course? Would you like to know what that “secret weapon” is? Get your hands on “THE PIED PIPER”, then, you’ll know, for sure!!?
Now, once you have finished with “THE PIED PIPER”, you just might want to find out what happens when Isaac Jones, Jr., finds out just who this evil villain is? He stands a little over 7’ tall and weighs about the same as a young bear? As a matter of fact, he killed one? A grizzly? With his bare hands, no doubt? Sounds crazy, huh? That’s nothing, this villain will come to life in the sequel (Book #2), entitled, “THE PIPER, THE PIPE AND THE CLOAK OF LA SADDEAUX?” Now, this villain is one for the ages! I have never seen nor heard of a villain such as this one before!?! Not in my whole and entire life!!! Remember Darth Vader? He was so fearsome and filled with evil, that even Obi Wan said those famous words to Luke Skywalker.., “Run, Luke!”
The Saga of this seven-book series is filled with such “flavor”, and I, for certain, do not wish that you would miss any one of these seven Novels!?! The two aforementioned titles have five additional titles to fit the billing!?
They are listed for your information and your interest. The titles are listed as so:
#3 – “THE HOST”, #4 – “THE BLOODY SHOES”, #5 – “THE SEARCH FOR SEDGENA” #6 – “THE DEVIL’S CRADLE and #7 – “THE LEGEND OF LILLITH”.
Each one features our star character, Isaac Jones, Jr. (you might know him as L’il Ike or Ike, or even as Ike Jones.!? Whatever which way you know him, he is him! Oh, he‘s nothing like “John Shaft” either but, when he makes it to the “BIG SCREEN”, you’ll have to ask yo’ mama can you go and see him!? And I’ll tell you that this young man, Isaac Jones, is a bad.., Oh!? Let me shut my mouth!? But, I’m jus’ talkin’ ‘bout Ike!
I also have in my repertoire, a host of “Books for Small Children”? Yes, and they are filled with the humor of an “entertainer”! One that can find that proverbial, “needle-in-a-haystack!” “Little Boy Blue, watch out!!? I’m coming for you!!
The list of these books is quite a long one!? The list also includes this title: “THE BOOK OF NEW NURSERY RHYMES”
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