Writer's Notebook

This is my somewhat belated contribution to the three word wednesday web meme. For more information go here.

Johann had the question tied down and answered before any of the other canditates had even had time to think through its implications. That was his way. He never left any room for doubt. Maybe, that was why he wasn't all that popular among his fellow students, especially in these days when openness of mind and doubting everything were the prevailing fashion in academic circles. But he had always been a fan of the old school. He knew what the thought and he thought what he knew. That, for him, was reality. Until... Until he picked up this instrument sitting on his desk. In just one small minute his whole universe was blown open. His mind still reeledat the discovery. A tube, a few mirrors, some coloured glass. It all seemed so simple. It could be explained scientifically, logically. But the moment he picked up this instrument, he forgot all about scientific explanations. Logic melted into the beauty of creativity he couldn't even begin to understand. Worse still, he didn't want to begin to understand. He just wanted to marvel. And his paper remained blank. Right up to the very last minutes of the exam. And all that Johann managed to scribble down in the end was the word "mystery."

Scott watched Johann leave the room amazement written all over his face. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined his small investment paying off such wonderful dividends. The job was his. Johann was confounded. All because of a cheap 2 pound kaleidoscope.