Winslow Eliot

The Quest: Stories for Young Readers

winslow eliot — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:04:23 +0000

In the spring of 2011, I taught a three-week seminar to a small group of seventeen- and eighteen-year-old students on the story of Parzival, a tale written down by Wolfram von Eschenbach in the twelfth century. During it, I tried to show students a way of looking at literature and at the world by taking a journey into themselves.

The story of Parzival is the story of all teenagers – a quest to navigate the tumultuous waves of adolescence in a passionate search for their authentic selves, using honor, chivalry, loyalty, and love as guides.

During the seminar block, we read Parzival out loud, or the students read sections at home at their leisure, and recounted episodes in the class. We discussed themes and images, archetypes, history, and legend. But, most importantly, each student was required to write his or her own stories. Like the tale of Parzival, each one is set against the thrilling medieval backdrop of jousting and castles and crusades and kingdoms and strange mythical creatures—but each is as fresh and original as the students themselves.

The students in the class of 2011 and 2012 at the Great Barrington Waldorf High School are to be heartily commended for extraordinary work – amazing stories that are enticing, moving, funny, and wise – so compelling that they had to be published and shared.

You can buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or order it from your favorite independent bookstore! Or, local friends, please contact me and I’ll arrange pick up at the school for copies. (That will garner the most revenue for the school.) Please note that 100% of ALL PROFITS BENEFIT The Great Barrington Waldorf High School.

Happiness 5-17

winslow eliot — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:03:01 +0000

the feather landing on your head
the world as a dodecahedron
a huge belly-laugh

Happiness 5-16

winslow eliot — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:43:11 +0000

walking through the Russian olive trees
demanding your fate
climbing in through the window

Happiness 5-15

winslow eliot — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:17:02 +0000

discovering stone steps leading under the ground
the quintessence of dust
an afternoon lying in the bottom of the boat

Happiness 5-17

winslow eliot — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:37:24 +0000

gold lining on a brown, hooded cape
talking with a gazelle in the evening
being knighted

Happiness 5-13

winslow eliot — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:48:37 +0000

six golden goblets on the tray
the red hawk’s message
dreaming your way into a painting

Happiness 5-12

winslow eliot — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:47:16 +0000

being cheerful in spite of, not because of
slipping into midnight blue satin to write your poem
climbing to the top of the mast and seeing land

Happiness 5-11

winslow eliot — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:59:43 +0000

finding your birthday present under your pillow;
the quiet of a village at dusk;
knowing the moment is right.

Happiness 5-10

winslow eliot — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:47:07 +0000

curling up in the heart of a raincloud
leaping up
moist seeds underground knowing how to sprout

Happiness 5-9

winslow eliot — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:37:35 +0000

curling up to sleep in the eagle’s nest
swirling and twirling skirts
a ladybug landing on your fingertip