Today's Stichomancy for Kurt Vonnegut

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum:

respectfully before him.

"We are not so unlucky," said the new ruler, "for this Palace and the Emerald City belong to us, and we can do just as we please. When I remember that a short time ago I was up on a pole in a farmer's cornfield, and that now I am the ruler of this beautiful City, I am quite satisfied with my lot."

"I also," said the Tin Woodman, "am well-pleased with my new heart; and, really, that was the only thing I wished in all the world."

"For my part, I am content in knowing I am as brave as any beast that ever lived, if not braver," said the Lion modestly.

"If Dorothy would only be contented to live in the Emerald City,"

The Wizard of Oz

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran:

that they will believe, and for the favours of God be ungrateful?

But who is more unjust than he who devises against God a lie, or calls the truth a lie when it comes to him? Is there not in hell a resort for the misbelievers? but those who fight strenuously for us we will surely guide them into our way, for, verily, God is with those who do well.

THE CHAPTER OF THE GREEKS

(XXX. Mecca.)

IN the name of the merciful and compassionate God.

The Greeks are overcome in the nighest parts of the land; but after being overcome they shall overcome in a few years; to God

The Koran

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Moral Emblems by Robert Louis Stevenson:

Early and late the work went on. The carts were toiling ere the dawn; The mason whistled, the hodman sang; Early and late the trowels rang; And Thin himself came day by day To push the work in every way. An artful builder, patent king Of all the local building ring, Who was there like him in the quarter For mortifying brick and mortar, Or pocketing the odd piastre

The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne:

the young Livonian girl alone on board, as she had not yet reappeared on deck.

The two journalists had risen at dawn, as all good hunts- men should do. They went on shore and mingled with the crowd, each keeping to his own peculiar mode of proceed- ing; Harry Blount, sketching different types, or noting some observation; Alcide Jolivet contenting himself with ask- ing questions, confiding in his memory, which never failed him.

There was a report along all the frontier that the insur- rection and invasion had reached considerable proportions.