Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Earth.
Under the Above
The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. Zaphia never knew her grandfather well, carrying only a few dusty, faded memories of him in her mind, as his Day of Absolution came when she was barely more than a toddler. Sometimes, picturing the view from that one small window in his room was the only thing keeping her sanity intact, and kindling the flames of hope that burned within her, a hope for a different future than the mundane one that was already planned for her... and for everyone. She had heard stories about the grandfather all her life, and among her favorites, were the stories he had shared with his children, her parents, about the world and the ways of life before the Great Retreat. She had only heard him tell the stories a few times, and could only faintly remember his voice, but clearly remembered his face. She always thought he resembled that "Santa" character she had seen in pictures in his secret room and heard about in some of the stories, a jolly old man who would give everyone a gift on something called "Christmas". She loved hearing about the grandfather's experiences on The Old Above, and her mind would race with exciting, colorful images as his stories described a beautifully fascinating world that she, nor her parents, had ever experienced. She had never seen most of the things mentioned and described in the stories, things like flowers, and butterflies, dogs, or kittens, or fish, and couldn't fathom what it must have been like to live in a house, which was a type of home people lived in on the Old Above, built on top of the ground instead of beneath it. She had never seen a bicycle or car or airplane, but she knew what they were, and had seen plenty of pictures of them and read about them in books, and something called a "magazine", that she had discovered in her grandfather's room. She wondered if others in her family knew about the grandfather's room, and if they had seen those pictures and read those documents, and were accurately imagining and envisioning the things in grandfather's stories whenever someone told them. Zaphia knew he must have been very wise to have taken such care to ensure that the details of these stories were kept every time they were retold. Before each retelling, an explicit set of instructions were also recited by the "rheto", or rhetorician, stressing the importance of telling each story the exact same way every time, defining some of the terms that were unknown, and the listeners were encouraged to memorize and relish the details of the stories and the way they were being told, so as to ensure the preservation of the lost truths they conveyed, and perhaps, someday share these stories themselves as rhetoricians. Those instructions also stressed the importance of secrecy and privacy when reciting any part of the stories, as they contained forbidden vocabulary, and were considered blasphemy against Social Refinement. It was dangerous to allow these stories to be heard by the wrong ears, especially by those loyal to The Governance. No one dared record these stories in writing either, because it was even more dangerous to have written evidence of heresy. To make that grave mistake and be the subject of Social Arrest would mean one's family being confined to quarters while The Ministers of Governance conducted investigations and interrogations, during which, sustenance rations and life comforts were suspended. If evidence was found, or a confession extracted from just one family member, the Social Arrest was upgraded to a Governance Citation, and the entire family would likely be convicted of heresy against The Doctrines of Social Refinement and sentenced to one of the two purification punishments. Zaphia shuddered at the thoughts of both and simply pondering on which would be worse made a sick feeling in her stomach, even though she wasn't entirely sure whether to believe the conclusions and speculations that dwelled in her mind, or to accept the prescribed belief that was presented to all the people during the morning and evening Governance Broadcasts. The common consensus was that the latter was the easiest and safest. No matter which was the truth, neither was pleasant.
By Barden Revelle 3 years ago in Earth
How did we get Here?
The belfry's window, located above the library, offered one of the best views in all of town. The tower overlooked the giant forest to the east. Days of peaceful solitude, filled with the sound of rustling leaves. A bird's song, echoed in the distance. A light whistle of wind as it travels through tiny cracks in the old stone. Catching the first rays of yellow and gold highlighting the mountains was one of the wonders this tiny town could offer. It was a special sanctuary.
By Michael Crone3 years ago in Earth
Life on Earth
Exploring the Rich Diversity of Life on Earth Life on Earth is incredibly diverse, with millions of species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that have evolved over billions of years to thrive in a wide range of habitats. From the icy tundras of the polar regions to the steamy rainforests of the equator, life has adapted to survive and thrive in every corner of our planet. In this article, we will explore the vast array of life on Earth, examining the various ways in which different species have adapted to their environments and the important roles they play in the complex ecosystems that support them.
By Kahi Bradshaw-Williams3 years ago in Earth
Explain the effects that poor sleep has on health
Poor sleep can have a number of negative effects on health. Some of the most common effects of poor sleep include: 1. Decreased cognitive function: Poor sleep can affect your ability to concentrate, pay attention, and make decisions. This can lead to problems with learning and productivity.
By Nifasdeen Kalideen3 years ago in Earth
"The Most Poisonous and Dangerous Animals in the World"
The world is home to a vast array of different animal species, many of which are known for their beauty, grace, and unique characteristics. However, there are also a number of animals that have earned a reputation for being some of the deadliest creatures on the planet. Here is a list of the top 10 deadliest animals in the world, along with a brief description of each:
By Ajith kumar3 years ago in Earth
Identifying Shopify Plus Experts: a Step-by-Step Guide
Scaling up requires careful consideration when selecting an e-commerce platform. When we chat with company owners, one of the most frequent myths is that Shopify is primarily for start-ups and those who want to make a quick buck.
By alexpettyfer pettyfer3 years ago in Earth
