CHAPTER 1 - MEETING THE MAESTRO 

     As you allow yourself to temporarily escape the world you know, things around seem to settle and quiet down.  Then gradually, they fade all together from view.  You soar high above, off into the sky as if magically transported far, far away.  Your destination appears to be the inside of a perfect Christmas postcard, where snow flurries, being pushed by a gentle winter wind, fall gently down to the nearby ground.  The silky white flakes cover the entire landscape, making even the tree tops sparkle from the light of the full moon above.
     Off in the distance, you spot a tiny cabin.  The grey timber planks covering the sides seem out of place amidst all the forestry and wilderness around.  Curious to see more, you glide over and hover above, watching as soft clouds of smoke from the chimney gently rise into the night sky to drift lazily around.  The scene feels warm and inviting so slowly, you head down to investigate more.
     As you venture towards the front door, it opens automatically, as if knowing that someone special has finally arrived to pass through its entrance.  Stepping down inside the cabin, you peer around at the many weird looking objects, hung all upon the walls.  Every inch seems covered with memorabilia, old pictures, newspaper clippings and even an old raggedy pair of snow shoes.  It is a cluttered mess for certain, but somehow this place feels like home.
     Soon, you notice a silent elderly man, sitting at an old wooden desk.  You see only the back of his head and his long, stringy hair, streaked with strands of yellow and grey.  Paying you no mind, he continues to scribble upon a big piece of scrolled parchment paper with a quilled pen of antiquity.  Until finally, the quiet gentleman decides to speak.
     "Why hello there," he says.  His voice sounds older than the hills but soothes none the less.
     With no sudden movements, he places the quill back into the inkwell and turns to face you.  As the elderly man spins his creaky chair around to stand, you gaze upon him and feel as if you’ve known him forever.  
     He has the appearance of an old wizard, older than dirt in fact, with his face showing the many wrinkles of time.  However, his eyes glisten with the spark of a much younger man and his gaze holds a special twinkle, one which makes you smile.  
     In a soft, weathered tone, the man continues, "I've waited a very long time for someone special to answer my call.  
     "Thank you for coming," he adds, with a slight bow of his head.  What do you say when someone says thank you?
     "YOU'RE WELCOME,” you say and bow your head back, in the same courteous manner.
     Out of the corner of your eye, a small movement by the fireplace catches your attention and you gaze over to see what it is.  There, on the ledge in front, lies a tiny grey mouse, stretching out his little paws, as if to grab up more warmth from the smoldering embers inside without adding any extra effort.  He lies in what could be considered a "doggie bed", though much, much smaller in size.  In fact, for him, the "mousey" bed is a perfect fit.  As if bought in a matching set, the inner lining of pale silk perfectly complements the blue ribbon worn around his neck in a bow.
​     The tiny rodent opens one eye to catch a glimpse of you, but only for a moment.  He lets out a big, contented yawn before curling up in his little mousey bed, to drift back off into the sweetness of slumber, to once again, totally ignore your presence.
      "Questions you have, I am sure,” the wizardry man announces.  “All will be answered and more...but only if you wish to do so.”
     “Do you?” he questions.
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 DID YOU ANSWER YES or NO?   
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