Forbidden Flight

Thursday, December 2, 2010

This shot is another one from when we went to see the world champion

sand sculptures. This was a sculpture of Icarus from the Greek story Daedalus

and Icarus. Summarized, the story is as follows: Daedalus and his son Icarus

were trapped in a tower. There was one window in the tower, but no other

way to get out and the tower was very high. At some point, a bird flew down

and one of its feathers fell onto the windowsill. Daedalus had the idea that he

would build wings to get them out, so he built two pairs out of the feathers,

string, and the wax from their candle. As they flew out the window, Daedalus

told Icarus not to fly too low to the sea because the spray would wet the

feathers, but not to fly too high to the sun because the heat would melt the

wax. Icarus was too busy wrapped up in the joy of flying and being free that

he flew too close to the sun and plunged into the sea. What a morbid note to

end on....but that's the background behind the photo and today's post.

Quote Of The Day:

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever

walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for

there you have been, and there you will always long

to return." ~ Attributed to both Henry Van Dyke and

Leonardo da Vinci

50 Word Story:

Inhuman

A cold stone tower high above the ground - inescapable, or so thought. One

lone window looking out into the night sky, a cool, gentle breeze blowing

through its opening. A breeze just long enough to lift and carry. Soaring out

the window, oblivious to the dangers that wait outside. Gliding.