Scarecrow. Twilight novels.
Melker Garay's collection of short stories "The Scarecrow" was released in the autumn of 2015.
Publisher: Norlén & Slottner
Cover illustration: Stefan Teleman
1. The Mirror (P. 17 - 19)
Excerpt:
"In front of me, there are no secrets. And if I want to, I can let each and every one of you see far into what you call the soul; so far that it scares you. But I do not want to intimidate you. And why not? Because there is something within you keeping me from doing so.
Love? Perhaps. Let us call it love. But what is love when it derives from the same obscure source as everything which is not love?"
Summary:
A mirror reflects upon the people it encounters. It laughs when thinking about how it can change the image of its beholders, and enjoys watching how beauty crumbles whilst fear and hatred for the reflections it provides turn people's lives into lies.
Quote:
"Frail and brittle, that is what you are."
2. The Comet (P. 29 - 30)
Excerpt:
"Maybe church bells will chime all over the world to greet me. And maybe there will be hymns and songs written in my honour. I wouldn't be surprised. Because I gave them the light. And with the light I gave them hope and comfort."
Summary:
A comet returns to earth after 2000 years. It expects to be saluted, greeted with joy as well as amazement. However, the world has changed, and the once so impressive light passes by without anyone even noticing.
The comet, vexed and decisive, promises to return with a vengeance.
Quote:
"For the one who dispels the darkness, one can merely be grateful."
3. The Parrot (P. 33 - 35)
Excerpt:
"There are three differences between me and you. The first one is that I sit in a cage, and you do not. [-] The second difference is that I know that I sit in a cage. There is no doubt about it. [-] The third difference is that I can choose not to repeat everything you say."
Summary:
A parrot, seemingly smiling with slight contempt, views the world. Though physically trapped, it comes to the conclusion that freedom of mind has nothing to do with being in a cage.
Quote:
"You are all repeating yourselves. And why do you do that? Because there is nothing else you can do, whilst sitting there in your cage."
4. The Bomb (47 - 49)
Excerpt:
"I have been thinking a little about what drives you to kill. Is it power? Fortunes? Vanity? No, I do not think so. It must be something greater which pushes you forwards with your constant killing. Because you are intelligent? Correct? If so, it cannot be something as sordid as worldly treasures and other profane inventions which makes you murder men, women and children. And it could not be hate, could it? Because surely, you would rather be loving towards each other? Yes, isn't it the ability to love which makes you human beings?"
Summary:
There are two sides of every story. In this one, the very object which cripples and destroys human lives with vile efficiency, is the main character. It asks how such intelligent creatures as human beings could have invented something as horrifying as a bomb... and continue to refine its deadly qualities.
Quote:
"Do you not realize that you are already a part of what you are trying to escape?"