On the first day of August, ALEPH will be launched in Republika Hrvatska (Croatia)

So far, it made #1 in all six countries it was published. Let’s hope this tradition continues!

By the way, August will be a very challenging month, as the book is schedule to appear in

Latin America and Mexico: August 8
Slovak Republic: August 9
The Netherlands: August 25

A very rich young man went to see a Rabbi in order to ask his advice about what he should do with his life. The Rabbi led him over to the window and asked him:

‘What can you see through the glass?’

‘I can see men coming and going and a blind man begging for alms in the street.’

Then the Rabbi showed him a large mirror and said to him:

‘Look in this mirror and tell me what you see.’

‘I can see myself.’

‘And you can’t see the others. Notice that the window and the mirror are both made of the same basic material, glass.

‘You should compare yourself to these two kinds of glass. Poor, you saw other people and felt compassion for them.
‘Rich – covered in silver – you see yourself.

‘You will only be worth anything when you have the courage to tear away the coating of silver covering your eyes in order to be able to see again and love your fellow man.’
 
 
 

1986: my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was the turning point of my life. Today we celebrate St James Day.

The Way of St. James or St. James’ Way (Spanish: El Camino de Santiago, Galician: O Camiño de Santiago, French: Chemin de St-Jacques, German: Jakobsweg, Basque: Done Jakue bidea) is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried. (continue reading by CLICKING HERE )

The people in the camp scavenged on the meat like rabid dogs, how long had it been since they’d eaten? Two, three days? Probably more. Juice from the meat dripped down their uniforms, dirtying the already dull medals and buttons that decorated them.

He thought about when they had been shiny and new, the cheers when they had been first pinned onto their uniform’s coats. He had felt a sense of honor when they pinned his on, a sense of pride too. Who wouldn’t? He shot off his musket in the air in celebration, as did the others.

It is always very difficult to explain why you like one story more than another. I chose “Shiny Brass Buttons” by Kara B. as the winner of the Figment fable-writing contest because it is well-constructed, rhythmic, and concise: the author helps us feel the tension of the main character’s inner conflict without over-explaining anything. The beginning is strong, and the ending is surprising—romantic not in the way we expect, but in its own tragic way.

You can read the “Shiny Brass Buttons” (APROX. 6 MIN READING) by clicking HERE

I will be on vacations till the final week of July. This means that this blog will not be updated during this period.
However, Suphi (my webmaster) will continue to moderate comments.
During the second semester of this year, this blog will be updated three times a week only (Monday, Wednesda, Friday), as I will be travelling, launching my new book, ALEPH
Of course I could delegate updating it, but I LOVE to do it myself!
Love
Paulo

Shortly before he died, my father-in-law summoned his family.

 
‘I know that death is only a passageway into the next world. When I have gone through it, I will send you a sign that it really is worthwhile helping others in this life.’ He wanted to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered over Arpoador Beach while a tape recorder played his favourite music.

 
He died two days later. A friend arranged the cremation in São Paulo and – once back in Rio – we went straight to the beach armed with a tape recorder, tapes and the package containing the cremation urn. When we reached the sea, we got a surprise. The lid of the urn was firmly screwed down. We couldn’t open it.

 
The only person around was a beggar, and he came over to us and asked: ‘What’s the problem?’

 
My brother-in-law said:

 
‘We need a screwdriver so that we can get at my father’s ashes inside this urn.’

 
‘Well, he must have been a very good man, because I’ve just found this,’ said the beggar.

 
And he held out a screwdriver.
 
 
 

Once when Confucius was traveling with his disciples, he heard about a very intelligent boy who was living in a particular village.

Confucius went to speak with him and asked him jokingly:

‘How would you like to help me correct all the irregularities and inequalities in the world?’

‘But why?’ asked the boy.
‘If we flattened the mountains, the birds would have no shelter. If we filled up the deep rivers and the sea, the fish would die. The world is vast enough to cope with differences.’

The disciples left feeling greatly impressed by the boy’s wisdom. But Confucius said:

‘I’ve known many children who, instead of playing and doing the things appropriate to their age, were busy trying to understand the world.

‘ Not one of those precocious children did anything of any great significance later in life because they had never experienced the innocence and healthy irresponsibility of childhood.’

 
 
 

Release Date February 6, 1943
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