i suddenly remembered this bizarre short story that i read many years ago. it was from a book that was very old even then. the story goes (and i can’t remember anything else in it) something like this: a sorcerer/scientist/magician made a head/image/idol out of metal. he left his apprentice with it with the strict order that if it was to say anything he was to run immediately to his superior and announce it. the bizarre idol started smoking and it said “i am”(??)…the apprentice stared stupidly or was too afraid to leave just in case the image said anything…more smoking, more vibrating…“i was”(???) this goes on a while and then stops. the magician comes back later and says “did it say anything” apprentice says yes, but i was too afraid to leave in case.blah, blah…the magician said “you fool, now the secret is lost forever”.
this was extremely strange, more so, because i think it was a book for children and the graphics were totally weird. does it sound familiar to anyone?
Sounds like the mediaeval legend of Roger Bacon’s brazen head. Roger Bacon, 13th century mathematician, had a reputation as a magician, and was supposed to have constructed a talking head made out of bronze which could answer questions. The only thing the head is supposed to have said was “Time is; Time was; Time is past”, after which it broke into pieces, and Bacon was heard to say “Bloody Windows XP! I knew I should have used Linux!” OK, I made that last bit up.
Check out the big brain on Steve Wright! That is worth 100 points in the bonus round!
i am much impressed!!!
check out…oops, i see echokitty already said that. i just remembered that i had this question in the loop, so that’s why i am so late in posting your accolades. thanks a plenty!