Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:12:12 -0800 (PST) From: Matthew Templar Subject: Never Take Love For Granted - Christmas Break Hi! My name is David and I've had the pleasure of being at the center, along with my Grant, of the adventures that our friend Matthew Templar has titled 'Never Take Love For Granted,' He has informed us that we will be on a Christmas break for the next few weeks while he finishes a short story that he has been working on for over a year. Well, some of it a year ago and then a lot of it recently. Matthew promises a 'Petey' adventure and some other fun with the little guys and Clayton. Wow! But I miss Grant and can't wait for him to be back. So, here's Matt to tell you about his story. * * * * Hi! I just didn't want all the people that have been faithfully reading 'Never...' to think that I would let it dissolve without finishing it. I'm sure we have all been waiting for a good, even great story to continue when we find out the author has lost interest and gone on to another. In my opinion, and that of others with whom I've talked (typed?), it should be illegal in Nifty. But then again, nothing is illegal in Nifty, for the most part, and that is part of its blessing. So, to my faithful fans I submit a story that I have been working on in my head for some time, like David just explained. It was, for some reason, important for it to be presented at this time of year. Since I was encouraged by my friend and editor, Dwight, to submit the first chapter of 'Never...' in February, and throughout the addition of the next 25 chapters, there are several people that have stuck with my story. There may be others, but I couldn't know that if you haven't written to tell me that. So, here's your chance. I wanted to submit this story in one fell swoop, but it looks like I will break it up some; not much. But I need to get back to it. I have but 15 days to finish this epic saga. Oh, I have to warn you, one of the reasons for an artist, an artist that is always trying to learn and better that which he endeavors to accomplish (notice I didn't say 'succeed' or 'master') is to try new forms of the art of the moment; for me that means trying a different style. When I started 'Never...' I was really afraid that I could sustain a level of humor for any length of time. I was pleased and satisfied with what I did for the most part. Now I am trying something different. One of the 'rules' I have always heard when one is writing is to stay within an area you know and in places with which you are familiar. So with that in mind, may I present to you: One Gift To Give A fable by Matthew Templar A gift to my faithful friends I write of a time, long ago, not known to me. So long ago that little has been recorded of this period. I write of a place that I have never been; a place as foreign as can be imagined by most. I write of a people I have never met or learned of, for not much is known after so long a time. But mark my words here, this is a time, this is a place, these are people for which you know and care. There will be gray times; there will be times of great joy. Times of hurting are certain but more than those, times of loving, learning and adventures; many adventures. * * * * The river gave the boy little hope of comfort. The river was that which protected his people from the tyrants on the other side; the strange, dark people the stories about whom frightened the boy; frightened all the children. The river provided them with their water, for their life and that of their food supply. The river was everything to his people. Now, it just passed him by without so much as a gentle sound to reassure him. It seemed strange that he could be so cold in a land that was usually so hot. The tattered shawl about his thin shoulders did little to shelter his weakening frame from the wind. Perhaps it would be better to lie there and close his eyes one last time. One bush was his friend as it tried to shade his small, barely 10 year old body from the constant wind. His eyes searched either horizon for welcome relief in the form of a caravan or some other traveling party. As he pulled the old, threadbare fabric around his small body without much success, he thought back to a time when even his present predicament was better, oh, much better than where he had been in a few short weeks ago. He forced his mind to relive it one last time... * * * * I hope you enjoy this part of me. It can't come close to the enjoyment that I have had reading your emails, or the relationships I've gained and are important to me, of those of you that have gifted me with your time. One thing I have learned as an author of so many...okay, one story: it is so important to give back, having taken something, like enjoyment, from someone else. Thanks again, my friends, and new ones, I hope. Oh, I'm afraid this story may end up kind of sappy. I'm sorry if it does. My intent isn't to turn you off, or turn you on either, sexually, though there are those times within it. Its purpose is to lift you and give you something nice in this season of giving for no reason. Matthew Templar Look for 'Never Take Love For Granted' to continue in January "It's just gotz to, huh?" Yes, Petey; it does.