The Giant Clock
Lardel was always on board on time. Everyman and every kid desired to be just like him. His peculiar and perfect punctuality record raised quite a few eyebrows, but not in the way that would in any manner suggest that Lardel was doing something unordinary. On the contrary, it was extraordinary. In the eyes of his superiors, he was always the most wonderful apple. Things went perfectly, as they should for Lardel, and they continued to for a long time. But there came a day, when all of that changed.
It was a day for tattoos, and everyone on board was excited. All were anxious to see what kind of tattoo Lardel would choose. So the sailors went to get their tattoos, one by one, each going in with frightened eyes, and coming out with a pain-filled grin. They also all came out with tattoos. Ranging from angry anchors to scary skulls, from bleeding hearts to naked women. All were impressive works of body-art, yet there was one person who had a tattoo that attracted all the attention the sea-faring ship’s inhabitants could muster on such short notice.
Lardel had received quite a unique tattoo. It was not only considered unique among the ones the others had chosen, but unique among any one else who has ever received a tattoo. As for the location, that was something to marvel at as well. For Lardel had decided that it was appropriate to have tattoo of a giant clock placed right on his forehead. All the sailors, including the superiors were afraid of Lardel now. Perhaps his punctual behavior had gotten the best of him. “He’s gone mad,” said some of his peers as they spoke over the radio to their longing loved ones awaiting them on the other end of the pier. “I’m awfully worried about that odd man,” said his superiors with awful grimaces and furrowed brows on their faces. Everybody was hurrying here and there to speak of more gossip about Lardel and his peculiarly painted head that giant clock, everyone, except for Lardel. Many of the regular duties in which the sailors were involved in had been constantly postponed because of their curiosity and their want to attempt to decipher what was going on in Lardel’s mind and on his forehead as well, what with that giant clock. Meanwhile, Lardel was enjoying his newfound life, not going on anyone’s clock but his own, giant clock.
Then one day, the other began to notice something about Lardel. The giant clock was fading. “How can this be?” they inquired amongst themselves, as if anyone else could possibly have the answer besides Lardel. So one brave soul eventually decided to question Lardel himself. “Lardel, why is it that you have had that horrendous giant clock on the skin of your forehead placed there permanently, just so it could begin to fade now?” Lardel, with a ridiculously giant smile reminiscent of Jack Nicholson, stepped up onto the railing of the ship, and began to explain. “Sailors, do you not realize what is happening?” he said. “No!” shouted the others back at him. Lardel widened his grin and continued, “My giant clock has captured so much of your attention, that you have forgotten your duties. All of you have been rushing back and forth, talking to one another, just to try and find out what my giant clock is supposed to mean. The answer was right in front of you all along. I was well known on this ship for my peculiar and perfect punctuality. I let time slip by me, even though I managed it better than anyone else onboard. Yet in reality, I was letting a giant clock that was constructed by other men rule my actions and decide how I used the time I had. But this tattoo, this giant clock, liberated me, and the funny thing is, it is not a true tattoo. It is but a temporary tattoo! Just as life is temporary, so is my tattoo. As my tattoo fades away, as do all our lives, I implore you, don’t let yourself get carried away with trying to follow the clocks of others. Enjoy life, and manage it however you desire. For aren’t we all just a bunch of temporary tattoos of giant clocks on life’s forehead. Well, all except for myself. Time no longer means anything to me. Farewell.” And with those last words, Lardel tossed himself into the unforgiving sea, no longer subject to the rules that time and life bestow upon us. Lardel no longer had to wear his temporary giant clock tattoo. But everyone else onboard would have to continue to do so, at least, for a little while longer.
Quote of the Day:
"Well, I wouldn't count on Sir Opstan to able to count and neither should you."- Sir Lafanear of Beorringstown
Elemental empowerment employed by the Mystical Hour Mint. Hygiene lives for all. That is if one does not ensalten oneself.
It was a day for tattoos, and everyone on board was excited. All were anxious to see what kind of tattoo Lardel would choose. So the sailors went to get their tattoos, one by one, each going in with frightened eyes, and coming out with a pain-filled grin. They also all came out with tattoos. Ranging from angry anchors to scary skulls, from bleeding hearts to naked women. All were impressive works of body-art, yet there was one person who had a tattoo that attracted all the attention the sea-faring ship’s inhabitants could muster on such short notice.
Lardel had received quite a unique tattoo. It was not only considered unique among the ones the others had chosen, but unique among any one else who has ever received a tattoo. As for the location, that was something to marvel at as well. For Lardel had decided that it was appropriate to have tattoo of a giant clock placed right on his forehead. All the sailors, including the superiors were afraid of Lardel now. Perhaps his punctual behavior had gotten the best of him. “He’s gone mad,” said some of his peers as they spoke over the radio to their longing loved ones awaiting them on the other end of the pier. “I’m awfully worried about that odd man,” said his superiors with awful grimaces and furrowed brows on their faces. Everybody was hurrying here and there to speak of more gossip about Lardel and his peculiarly painted head that giant clock, everyone, except for Lardel. Many of the regular duties in which the sailors were involved in had been constantly postponed because of their curiosity and their want to attempt to decipher what was going on in Lardel’s mind and on his forehead as well, what with that giant clock. Meanwhile, Lardel was enjoying his newfound life, not going on anyone’s clock but his own, giant clock.
Then one day, the other began to notice something about Lardel. The giant clock was fading. “How can this be?” they inquired amongst themselves, as if anyone else could possibly have the answer besides Lardel. So one brave soul eventually decided to question Lardel himself. “Lardel, why is it that you have had that horrendous giant clock on the skin of your forehead placed there permanently, just so it could begin to fade now?” Lardel, with a ridiculously giant smile reminiscent of Jack Nicholson, stepped up onto the railing of the ship, and began to explain. “Sailors, do you not realize what is happening?” he said. “No!” shouted the others back at him. Lardel widened his grin and continued, “My giant clock has captured so much of your attention, that you have forgotten your duties. All of you have been rushing back and forth, talking to one another, just to try and find out what my giant clock is supposed to mean. The answer was right in front of you all along. I was well known on this ship for my peculiar and perfect punctuality. I let time slip by me, even though I managed it better than anyone else onboard. Yet in reality, I was letting a giant clock that was constructed by other men rule my actions and decide how I used the time I had. But this tattoo, this giant clock, liberated me, and the funny thing is, it is not a true tattoo. It is but a temporary tattoo! Just as life is temporary, so is my tattoo. As my tattoo fades away, as do all our lives, I implore you, don’t let yourself get carried away with trying to follow the clocks of others. Enjoy life, and manage it however you desire. For aren’t we all just a bunch of temporary tattoos of giant clocks on life’s forehead. Well, all except for myself. Time no longer means anything to me. Farewell.” And with those last words, Lardel tossed himself into the unforgiving sea, no longer subject to the rules that time and life bestow upon us. Lardel no longer had to wear his temporary giant clock tattoo. But everyone else onboard would have to continue to do so, at least, for a little while longer.
Quote of the Day:
"Well, I wouldn't count on Sir Opstan to able to count and neither should you."- Sir Lafanear of Beorringstown
Elemental empowerment employed by the Mystical Hour Mint. Hygiene lives for all. That is if one does not ensalten oneself.