Cassandra's Tale

About the Book

CASSANDRA’S TALE:

     Blissfully lost in the repetitive motion of jumping on her backyard trampoline while fireflies blink off and on, eleven-year old Cassandra suddenly learns that her summer vacation will be interrupted by a visit to her Grandfather, professor Erroneous Macaronius’s Florida estate. Since her father and mother must attend a lengthy seminar in a distant land, Cassandra will be placed in his custody. As she later comes to find out these abrupt changes of plan do little to deter the professor from his daily routine which includes hours spent in his private laboratory. Now retired, the professor continues his passionate pursuit of the world’s most perfected pesticide! Cassandra, naturally curious, follows her own impulse to go exploring. After all Grandfather’s property practically invites adventure as it sprawls across uncharted acres of Florida wild lands. As fate would have it Cassandra is not alone in her own quest for discovery. Ezekiel, the professor’s pet parrot emerges not only as her companion, but as profound teacher as well. First he introduces Cassandra to the little beings who share Grandfather’s estate. To most of us these appear as mere insects; but to Ezekiel, they represent the prestigious twelve rays.

    Each day holds the promise of new discovery by virtue of Ezekiel’s odd educational methods. To prove the mind should be free to expand its parameters, the sagacious bird interrupts his discourse to use of his beak to break the lock that stands between the professor’s property line and the great unknown. Once outside the gate, Ezekiel guides Cassandra to a fallen log which serves as her impromptu summer school classroom seat. The savvy bird introduces Cassandra to a study of the four (earth, air, fire, and water) key elements. Following her Grandfather’s genetic footprint as it were, Cassandra proves a quick learner. She progresses on to the more difficult curriculum of learning to still the mind. Ezekiel baits his promising student by tempting her with a most outrageous invitation: that of serving as honorary guest at Queen Buzz-bee’s ball, arguably the event of the season! A derivative of ancient meditation, Cassandra learns to quiet her mind and fine-tune her concentration. By utilizing this rare skill she will be able to converse with the little ones, that is, the twelve rays. Once her studies are successfully satisfied, the big night is set to arrive. Luckily the professor will be busy with guests of his own. Two research colleagues, Millicent Killjoy and Felix Quackenbush have planned an evening where all will freely and enthusiastically compare recent pesticide test results. With the professor’s attention thus diverted, the pair (Cassandra and Ezekiel) can surreptitiously make way to the night’s much anticipated activities, guided by the luminous full moon.

    A believer in Montessori methodology, once the duo arrives on the scene, Ezekiel takes his strategic perch on a sturdy nearby tree limb while Cassandra is encouraged to independently make the rounds. Feeling a lot like Gulliver in Lilliput, she must step carefully lest she obliterate the little creatures just then preparing their acts for the talent show about to begin. From Cassandra’s standpoint the scene resembles a miniature circus, nor are its prospective performers the slightest bit distant or impolite. The first to introduce himself is Guido, a practical and wise termite contractor who boasts with pride that his wife, Fifi Alfredo is catering the big event. Meanwhile, termite employees under his watch busily assemble the stage that will serve as base for the evening’s upcoming performances. Next, Cassandra meets several ants who share astute observations on people with her. They ponder whether she might be a speednaughter, blender or too-muchner? Their perceptions of human beings and their odd behaviors prove compelling. Just before the Queen’s entourage makes way to the lush

About the Author

Sioux Rose distinguishes herself as a modern mystic by virtue of a history of published articles on the subject of astrology and related esoteric disciplines. Ms. Rose hosted one of the nation’s rare television programs devoted to the cosmic big picture. Astrology and the Divine Order aired throughout the Florida Keys from 1986-1994. Sioux has published several books and written movie scripts. It is her dream to lift readers’ thought processes by offering unifying visions that transcend the stubborn ism divisions that across history have undermined mankind’s intended spiritual evolution.