OLC Online Library

The Selfish Giant

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:44:00 GMT

EVERY afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden. It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. "How happy we are here!" they cried to each other. One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. After the seven years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his conversation was limited, and he determined to return to his own castle. When he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden. "What are you doing here?" he cried in a very gruff voice, and the children ran away. "My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant; "any one can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself." So he built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board. TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED He was a very selfish Giant. The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it. They used to wander round the high wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside. "How happy we were there," they said to each other. Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost. "Spring has forgotten this garden," they cried, "so we will live here all the year round." The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. "This is a delightful spot," he said, "we must ask the Hail on a visit." So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice. "I cannot understand why the Spring is so late in coming," said the Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white garden; "I hope there will be a change in the weather." But the Spring never came, nor the Summer. The Autumn gave golden fruit to every garden, but to the Giant's garden she gave none. "He is too selfish," she said. So it was always Winter there, and the North Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the trees. One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music. It sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King's musicians passing by. It was really only a little linnet singing outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world. Then the Hail stopped dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him through the open casement. "I believe the Spring has come at last," said the Giant; and he jumped out of bed and looked out. What did he see? He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children's heads. The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing. It was a lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was wandering all round it, crying bitterly. The poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and roaring above it. "Climb up! little boy," said the Tree, and it bent its branches down as low as it could; but the boy was too tiny. And the Giant's heart melted as he looked out. "How selfish I have been!" he said; "now I know why the Spring would not come here. I will put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and then I will knock down the wall, and my garden shall be the children's playground for ever and ever." He was really very sorry for what he had done. So he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly, and went out into the garden. But when the children saw him they were so frightened that they all ran away, and the garden became winter again. Only the little boy did not run, for his eyes were so full of tears that he did not see the Giant coming. And the Giant stole up behind him and took him gently in his hand, and put him up into the tree. And the tree broke at once into blossom, and the birds came and sang on it, and the little boy stretched out his two arms and flung them round the Giant's neck, and kissed him. And the other children, when they saw that the Giant was not wicked any longer, came running back, and with them came the Spring. "It is your garden now, little children," said the Giant, and he took a great axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going to market at twelve o'clock they found the Giant playing with the children in the most beautiful garden they had ever seen. All day long they played, and in the evening they came to the Giant to bid him good-bye. "But where is your little companion?" he said: "the boy I put into the tree." The Giant loved him the best because he had kissed him. "We don't know," answered the children; "he has gone away." "You must tell him to be sure and come here tomorrow," said the Giant. But the children said that they did not know where he lived, and had never seen him before; and the Giant felt very sad. Every afternoon, when school was over, the children came and played with the Giant. But the little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen again. The Giant was very kind to all the children, yet he longed for his first little friend, and often spoke of him. "How I would like to see him!" he used to say. Years went over, and the Giant grew very old and feeble. He could not play about any more, so he sat in a huge armchair, and watched the children at their games, and admired his garden. "I have many beautiful flowers," he said; "but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all." One winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing. He did not hate the Winter now, for he knew that it was merely the Spring asleep, and that the flowers were resting. Suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder, and looked and looked. It certainly was a marvellous sight. In the farthest corner of the garden was a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were all golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood the little boy he had loved. Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy, and out into the garden. He hastened across the grass, and came near to the child. And when he came quite close his face grew red with anger, and he said, "Who hath dared to wound thee?" For on the palms of the child's hands were the prints of two nails, and the prints of two nails were on the little feet. "Who hath dared to wound thee?" cried the Giant; "tell me, that I may take my big sword and slay him." "Nay!" answered the child; "but these are the wounds of Love." "Who art thou?" said the Giant, and a strange awe fell on him, and he knelt before the little child. And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him, "You let me play once in your garden, today you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise." And when the children ran in that afternoon, they found the Giant lying dead under the tree, all covered with white blossoms. ...

doctor

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:27:00 GMT

One day in autumn on my way back from a remote part of the country I caught cold and fell ill. Fortunately the fever attacked me in the district town at the inn; I sent for the doctor. In half-an-hour the district doctor appeared, a thin, dark-haired man of middle height. He prescribed me the usual sudorific, ordered a mustard-plaster to be put on, very deftly slid a five-ruble note up his sleeve, coughing drily and looking away as he did so, and then was getting up to go home, but somehow fell into talk and remained. I was exhausted with feverishness; I foresaw a sleepless night, and was glad of a little chat with a pleasant companion. Tea was served. My doctor began to converse freely. He was a sensible fellow, and expressed himself with vigour and some humour. Queer things happen in the world: you may live a long while with some people, and be on friendly terms with them, and never once speak openly with them from your soul; with others you have scarcely time to get acquainted, and all at once you are pouring out to him--or he to you--all your secrets, as though you were at confession. I don't know how I gained the confidence of my new friend--anyway, with nothing to lead up to it, he told me a rather curious incident; and here I will report his tale for the information of the indulgent reader. I will try to tell it in the doctor's own words. "You don't happen to know," he began in a weak and quavering voice (the common result of the use of unmixed Berezov snuff); "you don't happen to know the judge here, Mylov, Pavel Lukich?... You don't know him?... Well, it's all the same." (He cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes.) "Well, you see, the thing happened, to tell you exactly without mistake, in Lent, at the very time of the thaws. I was sitting at his house--our judge's, you know--playing preference. Our judge is a good fellow, and fond of playing preference. Suddenly" (the doctor made frequent use of this word, suddenly) "they tell me, 'There's a servant asking for you.' I say, 'What does he want?' They say, He has brought a note--it must be from a patient.' 'Give me the note,' I say. So it is from a patient--well and good--you understand--it's our bread and butter... But this is how it was: a lady, a widow, writes to me; she says, 'My daughter is dying. Come, for God's sake!' she says, 'and the horses have been sent for you.'... Well, that's all right. But she was twenty miles from the town, and it was midnight out of doors, and the roads in such a state, my word! And as she was poor herself, one could not expect more than two silver rubles, and even that problematic; and perhaps it might only be a matter of a roll of linen and a sack of oatmeal in payment. However, duty, you know, before everything: a fellow-creature may be dying. I hand over my cards at once to Kalliopin, the member of the provincial commission, and return home. I look; a wretched little trap was standing at the steps, with peasant's horses, fat--too fat--and their coat as shaggy as felt; and the coachman sitting with his cap off out of respect. Well, I think to myself, 'It's clear, my friend, these patients aren't rolling in riches.'... You smile; but I tell you, a poor man like me has to take everything into consideration... If the coachman sits like a prince, and doesn't touch his cap, and even sneers at you behind his beard, and flicks his whip--then you may bet on six rubles. But this case, I saw, had a very different air. However, I think there's no help for it; duty before everything. I snatch up the most necessary drugs, and set off. Will you believe it? I only just managed to get there at all. The road was infernal: streams, snow, watercourses, and the dyke had suddenly burst there--that was the worst of it! However, I arrived at last. It was a little thatched house. There was a light in the windows; that meant they expected me. I was met by an old lady, very venerable, in a cap. 'Save her!' she says; 'she is dying.' I say, 'Pray don't distress yourself--Where is the invalid?' 'Come this way.' I see a clean little room, a lamp in the corner; on the bed a girl of twenty, unconscious. She was in a burning heat, and breathing heavily--it was fever. There were two other girls, her sisters, scared and in tears. 'Yesterday,' they tell me, 'she was perfectly well and had a good appetite; this morning she complained of her head, and this evening, suddenly, you see, like this.' I say again: 'Pray don't be uneasy.' It's a doctor's duty, you know--and I went up to her and bled her, told them to put on a mustard-plaster, and prescribed a mixture. Meantime I looked at her; I looked at her, you know--there, by God! I had never seen such a face!--she was a beauty, in a word! I felt quite shaken with pity. Such lovely features; such eyes!... But, thank God! she became easier; she fell into a perspiration, seemed to come to her senses, looked round, smiled, and passed her hand over her face... Her sisters bent over her. They ask, 'How are you?' 'All right,' she says, and turns away. I looked at her; she had fallen asleep. 'Well,' I say, 'now the patient should be left alone.' So we all went out on tiptoe; only a maid remained, in case she was wanted. In the parlour there was a samovar standing on the table, and a bottle of rum; in our profession one can't get on without it. They gave me tea; asked me to stop the night... I consented: where could I go, indeed, at that time of night? The old lady kept groaning. 'What is it?' I say; 'she will live; don't worry yourself; you had better take a little rest yourself; it is about two o'clock.' 'But will you send to wake me if anything happens?' 'Yes, yes.' The old lady went away, and the girls too went to their own room; they made up a bed for me in the parlour. Well, I went to bed--but I could not get to sleep, for a wonder! for in reality I was very tired. I could not get my patient out of my head. At last I could not put up with it any longer; I got up suddenly; I think to myself, 'I will go and see how the patient is getting on.' Her bedroom was next to the parlour. Well, I got up, and gently opened the door--how my heart beat! I looked in: the servant was asleep, her mouth wide open, and even snoring, the wretch! but the patient lay with her face towards me and her arms flung wide apart, poor girl! I went up to her ... when suddenly she opened her eyes and stared at me! 'Who is it? who is it?' I was in confusion. 'Don't be alarmed, madam,' I say; 'I am the doctor; I have come to see how you feel.' 'You the doctor?' 'Yes, the doctor; your mother sent for me from the town; we have bled you, madam; now pray go to sleep, and in a day or two, please God! we will set you on your feet again.' 'Ah, yes, yes, doctor, don't let me die... please, please.' 'Why do you talk like that? God bless you!' She is in a fever again, I think to myself; I felt her pulse; yes, she was feverish. She looked at me, and then took me by the hand. 'I will tell you why I don't want to die: I will tell you... Now we are alone; and only, please don't you ... not to any one ... Listen...' I bent down; she moved her lips quite to my ear; she touched my cheek with her hair--I confess my head went round--and began to whisper... I could make out nothing of it... Ah, she was delirious! ... She whispered and whispered, but so quickly, and as if it were not in Russian; at last she finished, and shivering dropped her head on the pillow, and threatened me with her finger: 'Remember, doctor, to no one.' I calmed her somehow, gave her something to drink, waked the servant, and went away." At this point the doctor again took snuff with exasperated energy, and for a moment seemed stupefied by its effects. "However," he continued, "the next day, contrary to my expectations, the patient was no better. I thought and thought, and suddenly decided to remain there, even though my other patients were expecting me... And you know one can't afford to disregard that; one's practice suffers if one does. But, in the first place, the patient was really in danger; and secondly, to tell the truth, I felt strongly drawn to her. Besides, I liked the whole family. Though they were really badly off, they were singularly, I may say, cultivated people... Their father had been a learned man, an author; he died, of course, in poverty, but he had managed before he died to give his children an excellent education; he left a lot of books too. Either because I looked after the invalid very carefully, or for some other reason; anyway, I can venture to say all the household loved me as if I were one of the family... Meantime the roads were in a worse state than ever; all communications, so to say, were cut off completely; even medicine could with difficulty be got from the town... The sick girl was not getting better... Day after day, and day after day ... but ... here..." (The doctor made a brief pause.) "I declare I don't know how to tell you."... (He again took snuff, coughed, and swallowed a little tea.) "I will tell you without beating about the bush. My patient ... how should I say?... Well she had fallen in love with me ... or, no, it was not that she was in love ... however ... really, how should one say?" (The doctor looked down and grew red.) "No," he went on quickly, "in love, indeed! A man should not over-estimate himself. She was an educated girl, clever and well-read, and I had even forgotten my Latin, one may say, completely. As to appearance" (the doctor looked himself over with a smile) "I am nothing to boast of there either. But God Almighty did not make me a fool; I don't take black for white; I know a thing or two; I could see very clearly, for instance that Aleksandra Andreyevna--that was her name--did not feel love for me, but had a friendly, so to say, inclination--a respect or something for me. Though she herself perhaps mistook this sentiment, anyway this was her attitude; you may form your own judgment of it. But," added the doctor, who had brought out all these disconnected sentences without taking breath, and with obvious embarrassment, "I seem to be wandering rather--you won't understand anything like this ... There, with your leave, I will relate it all in order." He drank off a glass of tea, and began in a calmer voice. "Well, then. My patient kept getting worse and worse. You are not a doctor, my good sir; you cannot understand what passes in a poor fellow's heart, especially at first, when he begins to suspect that the disease is getting the upper hand of him. What becomes of his belief in himself? You suddenly grow so timid; it's indescribable. You fancy then that you have forgotten everything you knew, and that the patient has no faith in you, and that other people begin to notice how distracted you are, and tell you the symptoms with reluctance; that they are looking at you suspiciously, whispering... Ah! it's horrid! There must be a remedy, you think, for this disease, if one could find it. Isn't this it? You try--no, that's not it! You don't allow the medicine the necessary time to do good... You clutch at one thing, then at another. Sometimes you take up a book of medical prescriptions--here it is, you think! Sometimes, by Jove, you pick one out by chance, thinking to leave it to fate... But meantime a fellow-creature's dying, and another doctor would have saved him. 'We must have a consultation,' you say; 'I will not take the responsibility on myself.' And what a fool you look at such times! Well, in time you learn to bear it; it's nothing to you. A man has died--but it's not your fault; you treated him by the rules. But what's still more torture to you is to see blind faith in you, and to feel yourself that you are not able to be of use. Well, it was just this blind faith that the whole of Aleksandra Andreyevna's family had in me; they had forgotten to think that their daughter was in danger. I, too, on my side assure them that it's nothing, but meantime my heart sinks into my boots. To add to our troubles, the roads were in such a state that the coachman was gone for whole days together to get medicine. And I never left the patient's room; I could not tear myself away; I tell her amusing stories, you know, and play cards with her. I watch by her side at night. The old mother thanks me with tears in her eyes; but I think to myself, 'I don't deserve your gratitude.' I frankly confess to you--there is no object in concealing it now--I was in love with my patient. And Aleksandra Andreyevna had grown fond of me; she would not sometimes let any one be in her room but me. She began to talk to me, to ask me questions; where I had studied, how I lived, who are my people, whom I go to see. I feel that she ought not to talk; but to forbid her to--to forbid her resolutely, you know--I could not. Sometimes I held my head in my hands, and asked myself, "What are you doing, villain?"... And she would take my hand and hold it, give me a long, long look, and turn away, sigh, and say, 'How good you are!' Her hands were so feverish, her eyes so large and languid... 'Yes,' she says, 'you are a good, kind man; you are not like our neighbours... No, you are not like that... Why did I not know you till now!' 'Aleksandra Andreyevna, calm yourself,' I say... 'I feel, believe me, I don't know how I have gained ... but there, calm yourself... All will be right; you will be well again.' And meanwhile I must tell you," continued the doctor, bending forward and raising his eyebrows, "that they associated very little with the neighbours, because the smaller people were not on their level, and pride hindered them from being friendly with the rich. I tell you, they were an exceptionally cultivated family; so you know it was gratifying for me. She would only take her medicine from my hands ... she would lift herself up, poor girl, with my aid, take it, and gaze at me... My heart felt as if it were bursting. And meanwhile she was growing worse and worse, worse and worse, all the time; she will die, I think to myself; she must die. Believe me, I would sooner have gone to the grave myself; and here were her mother and sisters watching me, looking into my eyes ... and their faith in me was wearing away. 'Well? how is she?' 'Oh, all right, all right!' All right, indeed! My mind was failing me. Well, I was sitting one night alone again by my patient. The maid was sitting there too, and snoring away in full swing; I can't find fault with the poor girl, though; she was worn out too. Aleksandra Andreyevna had felt very unwell all the evening; she was very feverish. Until midnight she kept tossing about; at last she seemed to fall asleep; at least, she lay still without stirring. The lamp was burning in the corner before the holy image. I sat there, you know, with my head bent; I even dozed a little. Suddenly it seemed as though some one touched me in the side; I turned round... Good God! Aleksandra Andreyevna was gazing with intent eyes at me ... her lips parted, her cheeks seemed burning. 'What is it?' 'Doctor, shall I die?' 'Merciful Heavens!' 'No, doctor, no; please don't tell me I shall live ... don't say so... If you knew... Listen! for God's sake don't conceal my real position,' and her breath came so fast. 'If I can know for certain that I must die ... then I will tell you all-- all!' 'Aleksandra Andreyevna, I beg!' 'Listen; I have not been asleep at all ... I have been looking at you a long while... For God's sake!... I believe in you; you are a good man, an honest man; I entreat you by all that is sacred in the world--tell me the truth! If you knew how important it is for me... Doctor, for God's sake tell me... Am I in danger?' 'What can I tell you, Aleksandra Andreyevna, pray?' 'For God's sake, I beseech you!' 'I can't disguise from you,' I say, 'Aleksandra Andreyevna; you are certainly in danger; but God is merciful.' 'I shall die, I shall die.' And it seemed as though she were pleased; her face grew so bright; I was alarmed. 'Don't be afraid, don't be afraid! I am not frightened of death at all.' She suddenly sat up and leaned on her elbow. 'Now ... yes, now I can tell you that I thank you with my whole heart ... that you are kind and good--that I love you!' I stare at her, like one possessed; it was terrible for me, you know. 'Do you hear, I love you!' 'Aleksandra Andreyevna, how have I deserved--' 'No, no, you don't--you don't understand me.'... And suddenly she stretched out her arms, and taking my head in her hands, she kissed it... Believe me, I almost screamed aloud... I threw myself on my knees, and buried my head in the pillow. She did not speak; her fingers trembled in my hair; I listen; she is weeping. I began to soothe her, to assure her... I really don't know what I did say to her. 'You will wake up the girl,' I say to her; 'Aleksandra Andreyevna, I thank you ... believe me ... calm yourself.' 'Enough, enough!' she persisted; 'never mind all of them; let them wake, then; let them come in--it does not matter; I am dying, you see... And what do you fear? why are you afraid? Lift up your head... Or, perhaps, you don't love me; perhaps I am wrong... In that case, forgive me.' 'Aleksandra Andreyevna, what are you saying!... I love you, Aleksandra Andreyevna.' She looked straight into my eyes, and opened her arms wide. 'Then take me in your arms.' I tell you frankly, I don't know how it was I did not go mad that night. I feel that my patient is killing herself; I see that she is not fully herself; I understand, too, that if she did not consider herself on the point of death, she would never have thought of me; and, indeed, say what you will, it's hard to die at twenty without having known love; this was what was torturing her; this was why, in, despair, she caught at me--do you understand now? But she held me in her arms, and would not let me go. 'Have pity on me, Aleksandra Andreyevna, and have pity on yourself,' I say. 'Why,' she says; 'what is there to think of? You know I must die.' ... This she repeated incessantly ... 'If I knew that I should return to life, and be a proper young lady again, I should be ashamed ... of course, ashamed ... but why now?' 'But who has said you will die?' 'Oh, no, leave off! you will not deceive me; you don't know how to lie--look at your face.' ... 'You shall live, Aleksandra Andreyevna; I will cure you; we will ask your mother's blessing ... we will be united--we will be happy.' 'No, no, I have your word; I must die ... you have promised me ... you have told me.' ... It was cruel for me--cruel for many reasons. And see what trifling things can do sometimes; it seems nothing at all, but it's painful. It occurred to her to ask me, what is my name; not my surname, but my first name. I must needs be so unlucky as to be called Trifon. Yes, indeed; Trifon Ivanich. Every one in the house called me doctor. However, there's no help for it. I say, 'Trifon, madam.' She frowned, shook her head, and muttered something in French--ah, something unpleasant, of course!--and then she laughed--disagreeably too. Well, I spent the whole night with her in this way. Before morning I went away, feeling as though I were mad. When I went again into her room it was daytime, after morning tea. Good God! I could scarcely recognise her; people are laid in their grave looking better than that. I swear to you, on my honour, I don't understand--I absolutely don't understand--now, how I lived through that experience. Three days and nights my patient still lingered on. And what nights! What things she said to me! And on the last night--only imagine to yourself--I was sitting near her, and kept praying to God for one thing only: 'Take her,' I said, 'quickly, and me with her.' Suddenly the old mother comes unexpectedly into the room. I had already the evening before told her---the mother--there was little hope, and it would be well to send for a priest. When the sick girl saw her mother she said: 'It's very well you have come; look at us, we love one another--we have given each other our word.' 'What does she say, doctor? what does she say?' I turned livid. 'She is wandering,' I say; 'the fever.' But she: 'Hush, hush; you told me something quite different just now, and have taken my ring. Why do you pretend? My mother is good--she will forgive--she will understand--and I am dying. ... I have no need to tell lies; give me your hand.' I jumped up and ran out of the room. The old lady, of course, guessed how it was. "I will not, however, weary you any longer, and to me too, of course, it's painful to recall all this. My patient passed away the next day. God rest her soul!" the doctor added, speaking quickly and with a sigh. "Before her death she asked her family to go out and leave me alone with her." "'Forgive me,' she said; 'I am perhaps to blame towards you ... my illness ... but believe me, I have loved no one more than you ... do not forget me ... keep my ring.'" The doctor turned away; I took his hand. "Ah!" he said, "let us talk of something else, or would you care to play preference for a small stake? It is not for people like me to give way to exalted emotions. There's only one thing for me to think of; how to keep the children from crying and the wife from scolding. Since then, you know, I have had time to enter into lawful wedlock, as they say... Oh ... I took a merchant's daughter--seven thousand for her dowry. Her name's Akulina; it goes well with Trifon. She is an ill-tempered woman, I must tell you, but luckily she's asleep all day... Well, shall it be preference?" We sat down to preference for halfpenny points. Trifon Ivanich won two rubles and a half from me, and went home late, well pleased with his success. ...

Brazil

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:42:00 GMT

Capital: Brasilia
Largest city: São Paulo
Official language: Portuguese Independence from Portugal:
- Declared September 7, 1822
- Recognized August 29, 1825
- Republic November 15, 1889
Population: 2007 estimate 183,888,841
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is a country in South America. It is the fifth-largest country by geographical area, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. The official language is Portuguese. Catholicism is the predominant religion.
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,367 kilometres. Brazil borders every nation on the South American continent except Ecuador and Chile. Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and the department of French Guiana are to the north, Colombia to the northwest, Bolivia and Peru to the west, Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest, and Uruguay to the south. Brazil is crossed by both the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn, and as such is home to a vast array fauna and flora, natural environments, as well as extensive natural resources. The Brazilian population is concentrated along the coastline and in a few large urban centers in the interior. While Brazil is one of the most populous nations in the world, population density drops dramatically as one moves inland.
Brazil was a colony of Portugal from its discovery by Pedro Alvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822. Initially independent as the Brazilian Empire, the country has been a republic since 1889. There are currently 26 States and 5,564 Municipalities.
Brazil is the world's 8th largest economy in terms of purchasing power and the 10th largest economy at market exchange rates. The country has a diversified middle-income economy with wide variations in development levels and mature manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors. Technology and services also play an important role and are growing rapidly. Brazil is a net exporter, having gone through free trade and privatization reforms in the 1990s.In spite of important economical achievements, many social issues still hamper development.
Administrative divisions
The national territory was divided in 1969 by the Brazilian
Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), for demographic and statistical purposes, into five main regions: North, Northeast, Central-West, Southeast and South.
The North region covers 45.27% of the surface of Brazil, and has the lowest number of inhabitants. With the exception of Manaus, which hosts a tax-free industrial zone, and Belém, the biggest metropolitan area of the region, it is fairly unindustrialized and undeveloped. It accommodates most of the rainforest vegetation of the world and many indigenous tribes.
The Northeast region is inhabited by about 30% of Brazil's population. It is culturally diverse, with roots set in the Portuguese colonial period, and in Amerindian and Afro-Brazilian elements. It is also the poorest region of Brazil, and suffers from long periods of dry climate.The largest cities are Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza.
The Central-West region has low demographic density when compared to the other regions, mostly because a part has the highest standard of living in the country. It is also the coldest region of Brazil, with occasional occurrences of frost and snow in some of the higher altitude areas. It has been settled by European immigrants, mainly of Italian, German, Portuguese, Slavic and Japanese ancestry, being clearly influenced by these cultures. The largest cities in this region are: Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Londrina, Caxias do Sul and Joinville.
Geography
Brazilian topography is diverse, including hills, mountains, plains, highlands, scrublands, savannas, rainforests, and a long coastline. The extensive low-lying Amazon Rainforest covers most of Brazil's terrain in the North, whereas small hills and low mountains occupy the South. Along the Atlantic coast there are several mountain ranges, with a highest altitude of roughly 2,900 meters . The highest peak is the 3,014 metres . Major rivers include the Amazon, the largest river in terms of volume of water, and the second-longest in the world.
Climate
Temperatures along the equator are high, with averages above 25 C , and occasionally reaching the summer extremes of up to 40 C in the temperate zones. Southern Brazil has a subtropical temperate weather, normally experiencing frost in the winter (June-August), and occasional snow in the mountainous areas.. Temperatures in the cities of São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Brasilia are moderate, usually ranging between 10 C and 30 C , because of their altitude of approximately 1,000 m . Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador, located in the coast, have warm climates, with average temperatures ranging from 23 C to 27 C . The southern cities of Porto Alegre and Curitiba have a subtropical climate similar to that in parts of the United States and Europe, and temperatures can fall under 0 C in the winter.
Economy
Brazil's GDP is the highest of Latin America with large and developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool. Major export products include aircraft, coffee, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear,What's good in the tropical country
Very few tourist destinations can offer as many options as Brazil. Natural beauty, large popular festivities and countless protected environmental reserves are attractions that truly call the attention of foreign tourists when it comes time to choose a destination for their vacation.
Brazil, a lifestyle
For a long time now, the country's natural beauty and Carnival have made it
internationally famous, bringing thousands tourists to its shores all year long. But,there is another attraction here that one only discovers upon arrival: the Brazilian people. The Brazilian way of life is even more surprising and more enchanting than any of the scenery. corned beef and electrical equipment.
Science and technology
Technological research in Brazil is largely carried out in public universities and research institutes. Despite governmental regulations and incentives, investment in research and development has been growing in private universities and companies as well since the 1990s. Nonetheless, more than 73% of funding for basic research still comes from governmental sources.
Brazilian information technology is comparable in quality and positioning to those of India and China, though because of Brazil's larger internal market, software exports are limited. Catering for the internal market, Brazilian IT is particularly efficient in providing solutions to financial services, defense, CRM, eGovernment, and healthcare. The Brazilian government as an institution has plans to switch its operating systems, replacing the current proprietary software scheme for the free software scheme. Demographics
Brazil's population comprises many races and ethnic groups. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) classifies the Brazilian population in five categories: black, white, pardo (brown), yellow (Asian) or indigenous, based on skin color or race. The last National Research for sample revealed the following numbers: 93,096 million white people (49.7%), 79,782 million pardo people (42.6%), 12,908 million black people (6.9%), 919 thousand Asian people (0.5%), and 519 thousand Amerindian people (0.4%).
The largest ethnic group in Brazil is Portuguese (10.46%), followed by Italian (10.41%), Black or African (7.15%), Amerindian (6.64%), Spanish (4.40%), German (3.54%) and Japanese (1.34%). 38.66% of respondents identified their ethnicity as only Brazilian and 86.09% identified themselves as being also ethnically Brazilians. Portuguese is the only official language of Brazil.lt is spoken by nearly the entire population and is virtually the only language used in schools, newspapers, radio, TV and for all business and administrative purposes. Moreover, Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas, making the language an important part of 180 Brazilian national identity. 180 Amerindian languages are spoken in remote areas.
Social issues
Poverty, urban violence, growing social security debts, inefficient public services, and the low value of the minimum wage are some of the main social issues that currently challenge the Brazilian government. The rate of poverty is in part attributed to the country's economic inequality. In 2006 the rate of people living below the poverty line based on labour income was of 19.31% of the population — a 33% reduction considering the previous three years.
There are great differences in wealth and welfare
between regions. While the Northeast region has the worst economic indicators nationwide, many cities in the South and Southeast enjoy First World socioeconomic standards. The level of violence in some large urban centers is comparable to that of a war zone.Analysts generally suggest the alarming social inequality as the major reason behind this problem. Muggings, robberies, and gang violence are common in the largest cities. Police brutality and corruption are widespread. Innefficient public services, especially those related to security, education and health, severely affect quality of life. Brazil currently ranks 70th in the Human Development Index list. The social security system is considered unreliable and has been historically submerged in large debts and graft, which have been steadily increasing along the 1990s.
Religion
The most popular religion in Brazil is Roman Catholicism and the country has the largest Roman Catholic population in the world. Islam in Brazil was first practiced by African slaves.Today, the Muslim population in Brazil is made up mostly of Arab immigrants. A recent trend has been the increase in conversions to Islam among non-Arab citizens.Only 27,000 Muslims live in Brazil as of 2000. The largest population of Buddhists in Latin America lives in Brazil, mostly because the country has the largest Japanese population outside Japan.
Sports
Football is the most popular sport in Brazil.The Brazilian national football team (Selecão) is currently ranked first in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They have been victorious in the World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Basketball, volleyball, auto racing, and martial arts also attract large audiences. Though not as regularly followed or practiced as the previously mentioned sports, tennis, team handball, swimming, and gymnastics have found a growing number of enthusiasts over the last decades. In auto racing, Brazilian drivers have won the Formula 1 world championship eight times:
Some sport variations have their origins in Brazil. Beach football, futsal (official version of indoor football) and footvolley emerged in the country as variations of football. Brazil has undertaken the organization of large-scale sporting events: the country organized and hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup and is chosen to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup event.Brazil also tries for the fourth time to host the Summer Olympics with Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Feijoada
Feijoada is often called the national dish of Brazil. It is a delicious stew made of beans and various types of meat. It is eaten with white rice and side dishes like farofa and couve mineira. As feijoada contains a lot of fat, it is often eaten with slices or pineapple or orange. Feijoada is eaten on a number of different occasions, for example on parties or during the weekend. In many restaurants, feijoada is served daily at lunch time.
The Amazon rainforest
The Amazon rainforest has an extremely high biodiversity and many of its plant and animal species are not yet known to science. About 60% of the Amazon forest is part of Brazil, the other 40% belongs to Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guiana, Suriname and French-Guyana. Most of the Amazon rainforest is found in the Amazon basin that is drained by the Amazon river and its more than 1000 tributaries.

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Qara Kelisa (Thaddeus Cathedral)

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:07:00 GMT

St. Thaddeus is an ancient Armenian church located in the mountainous area of West Azarbaijan Province, about 20 km from the town of Makou and is located in Iran. Sourb Thade can be glimpsed from a distance to the massiveness of the church, strongly characterized by 2 cuspidate tambours. Nearby are several chapels, 3 on the hills east of the stream, 1 approximately 3 km south of the monastery on the road to Bastam, and another that also serves as the church for the village of Ghara-Kilise.
History & Architecture
One of the 12 apostles, St. Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), was martyred while spreading the Gospel. He is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church. As legend has it, a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site in AD 68.
Not much appears to remain of the original church, which was extensively rebuilt in the 1329 after an earthquake destroyed the structure in 1319. Nevertheless, some of the parts surrounding the alter date back to the 10th century.
Most of the present structure dates back to the early 19th century when Qajar prince Abbas Mirza also helped in renovations and repairs. The 19th century additions are from carved sandstone. The earliest parts are of black and white stone.
The church is protected within a thick wall, which also forms the outer ramparts of some abandoned monastery buildings. Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew
The Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in AD 45 to preach the word of God. Many people were converted and numerous secret Christian communities were established there.
Around that time, Abgar died after ruling for 38 years and the Armenian kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned himself in Edessa, while his nephew Sanatruk ruled in Armenia. About AD 66, Ananun gave the order to kill St. Thaddeus in Edessa. The king's daughter Sandokht, who had converted to Christianity, was martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is located near the Ghara Kelisa.

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ANCIENTFSTIVITIES

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:59:00 GMT

Sadeh
Sadeh is an ancient Iranian mid winter festival that is celebrated 50 days before Persian new year. Sadeh in Persian means "hundred" and refers to one hundred days and nights left to the beginning of the new year ; the official beginning of spring on Farvardin 1st or, March 21st. Sadeh is a festival that was celebrated with grandeur and magnificence in ancient Iran. It was an occasion to honor fire and the victory of rejuvenating nature over frost, and cold; the forces of darkness.
Esfandgan
Did you know Persians had a day devoted to love called "Esfandgan-Mazdegan". You can trace it's roots back to more than 1700 years B.C. Its on Feb 18th which according to Iranian solar calendar is 21th of Bahman . Esfandgan: A feast devoted to women and mothers The Esfandgan Feast, was devoted to mothers and in general to women, and was celebrated on Sepandarmaz Day in Esfand, the last month of winter ; in recognition of the high and admired status of mothers for devotion of their self-less love. Women were commemorated during the whole month, and especially on this very day. It is regarded as one of the oldest traditions of its kind in Iranian ancient culture. According to the Zoroastrianism (Iranian's religion at the time), the day belonged to the Amesha Spenta Spandarmaz, the guardian of the earth in the material world and the symbol of love and humility. During this special day, all the household chores and responsibilities were left to men. The men were also supposed to present gifts to their wives.
To mark the day, the family would wake up early, clean the house, and celebrate the day by cooking a very special and delicious food called "aash" (a kind of vegetable soup), to be served along with a special Zoroastrian bread.
The Esfandgan' Festival, an Iranian Day for Women According to our solar calendar there were 30 days in each month; and each day was named after a month's name or some other religious name and so there existed thirty names. Thus in each month, there was a day which had the same name as that of the month's . Whenever the name of the day and the month coincided, they called for a celebration.
Following are the name of the twelve months of the year and the days that were named after each:
•Farvardingan (19th day of of each month was named Farvardin )
•Ordibeheshtgan (3rd day of each month was named Ordibehesht )
•Khordadgan (6th day of of each month was named Khordad )
•Tirgan (13th day of of each month was named Tir)
•Mordadgan (7th day of of each month was named Mordad)
•Shahrivargan (4th day of of each month was named Shahrivar)
•Mehr (16th day of of each month was named Mehr)
•Aban (10th day of of each month was named Aban)
•Azar (on Azar 9th day of of each month was named Azar)
•Dey (1st day of of each month was named Dey)
•Bahman (2nd day of of each month was named Bahman)
•Esfand (5th day of of each month was named Esfand)
Today's calendar is a little bit different from that of the old days. The days are not named any more and there is a slight change in the number of the days in each month. The months names' are kept the same, though.
Some forces of the nature were named after the months' names as well. For example Aban, the guardian of water was named after the second month of Fall. Azar, the guardian of fire was named after the third month of Fall. Bahman, the guardian of good thoughts was named after the the second month of Winter. Esfand, the guardian of the Earth and plants, was named after the the third month of Winter .
Chaharshanbeh Suri
Chaharshanbeh-Suri or Charshanbe-Suri is an ancient Iranian festival dating back to at least 1700 BC in the early Zoroastrian era. The festival of fire was and still is a prelude to the ancient Norouz festival, which marks the arrival of spring and revival of nature. Chahrshanbeh Suri, is celebrated on the last Tuesday Night of the year. The word Chahar Shanbeh means Wednesday and Suri is red.The celebration starts before the sunset, the bonfires are lit and the idea is to keep up the light and prevent the darkness followed by falling of the sun below the horizon. In other words to keep the sun alive till early hours of the morning. After the people set up the bonfires in the streets they will start to jump over it while singing the traditional song :
Sorkhi-ye to az man. Zardi-ye man az to
The literal translation is (May all Your fiery red color be mine, and all my yellowish color be yours; by that you are rendering all your feebleness and weakliness (which symbolize all the problems that was accumulated during the past year) to the fire; and in return you ask the fire to grant you its redness which represents its vitality, warmth, and energy.
There are certain refreshments that are served during this event such as a mixture of several different nuts and sweets.
At the later hours of the night the children would cover their faces and go door to door and ask for donations; people usually offer them nuts, sweets or money as a token of goodwill.
There is no religious significance attached to Chahar Shanbeh Suri and it serves as a cultural festival for all the Iranians . The significant role of fire in this celebration is likely to hail from Zoroastrianism.
Sizdah Bedar
Sizdah-bedar is the Persian Festival. It is celebrated on the 13th day of Norouz. The idea behind celebrating this day was to go outdoors and have fun on the thirteenth day of the new year; and let go of all the unlucky omens ; since many people believed that thirteen is an ill-omened number. It was believed that "Joy" and "Laughter" would clean the mind from all evil thoughts.The word Sizdah
means "thirteen", and bedar, means "to get rid of'. Altogether "Sizdah Bedar" means getting rid of the thirteen.
There are other rituals associated with Sizdah Bedar, among them; is the knotting blades of grass by unmarried girls in hope of finding a good companion. The family members may meet each other at the festival and find possible candidates for their unmarried daughters, as well as sons, and to make arrangements for their proper introduction at later time! The knotting of the grass represents love and the bond between a man and a woman.
Normally about a week before the new year Iranians would start to grow certain types of grains ; usually wheat or lentil; the process is just like growing sprout yet they will let it grow long and green blades and keep watering it till the thirteenth day of the new year . The grown plant is called Sabzeh. Sabzeh is supposed to have collected all the sickness, pain and ill fate that may lie ahead of the family throughout the coming year! Bringing someone else's sabzeh on the thirteenth day, therefore, is considered to be a bad omen, and may invite other peoples' pain and hardship to oneself. The last ritual that wraps the day up is to throw away the Sabzeh (newly sprout grains). Sizdah-Bedar is also believed to be a special day to ask for rain from one of the Zoroastian deities that was called Tir; and is depicted as a horse. Sizdah-Bedar is also a day for competitive games. Games involving horses were often chosen since the horse represented the deity of rain.

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Healthy skin easy to achieve

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:43:00 GMT

The high absorption ability of the skin makes it necessary for individuals to choose personal skin care products with outmost care.The following is an interview with Dr. Flora Rouhanifar dermatologist ; a highly experienced Physician who speciliazes in the area of skin care.Q.The skin, the largest organ in the body is responsible for several functions. Could you name some of them for us?
A. Skin melanocytes protect the body from ultraviolet light; they are also responsible for the individual's skin color. The fatty tissue in the skin acts as a mechanical barrier to infections. It ultimately prevents microorganisms and other substances from entering the body.
The skin helps us to feel heat, cold, pain as well as other sensations. It regulates body temperature. Sweat glands help cool the skin when exposed to heat.
The skin excretes waste product and excess salt from the body through sweating. It also synthesizes Vitamin D in the presence of sunlight and ultra violet radiation.
Q. What are the main factors influencing skin health?
A. Several factors influence skin health. Hygienic measures and a healthy diet are the main factors. Regular exercises and protecting the skin from the sun, wind and cold are also important. Smoking and drinking too much tea or coffee could harm the skin and should be avoided. In addition, cosmetics and skin care products must be chosen with utmost care.
Q. Many believe having less carbohydrate and fat in the regular diet helps having younger looking skin whereas consuming more fruits as a source of antioxidants fights early aging. What is the impact of diet/nutrition on the skin?
A. A healthy diet should consist of 50% carbohydrate, 30% fat protein, 20% minerals and vitamins like A, C and E. These three vitamins are the most important because of their antioxidants properties which play an important role in skin health.
Q. What are the different skin types? How can one know what is his/her skin type?
A. Different people have different types of skin, classified in 5 main groups: normal, oily, dry, mixed and sensitive skin.
Dry skin, is a fine-pored skin which looks dull at first glance. It has many fine wrinkles. It has thin and paper like texture.
The skin is rather rough to the touch. It has a sallow tone and is also easily irritated. After each wash the skin feels very tight.
Oily skin,is shiny, greasy and prone to acne breakout quite often. It looks younger than its real age.
Large pores are a distinct feature of oily skin. Comedones or black pores and acne are visible. It is smooth and oily. After each wash the skin feels refreshed and after several hours it looks oily again. Mixed skin has the oily skins characteristics on the T-zone (frontal, nose and chin), while the cheeks (u-zone) are dry. After each wash some areas are smooth where as others are dry and rough.
Normal skin is only found in babies. It has a pinkish tone in white - colored skin individuals. The skin is neither dry nor greasy and is clear, pimple free, soft and smooth.
Sensitive skin is the most fragile kind of skin type. It is easily prone to irritation like stinging, chafing and even itching when it is touched or comes into contact with wind or cold weather. Such individuals often experience redness, wheal and urticaria. There is an easy way to determine ones skin type; for this, one should wipe his/her face with a dry tissue when he/she wakes up early in the morning. For those having normal skin, the oil does not come on the paper and the face does not feel tight.
Oil is seen on the tissue in oily skin type. When oil is only seen in the center part while the cheeks are dry, the person has mixed skin. For those who have dry or normal skin, there will be no oil on the tissue. Having the feeling of dryness after wiping the skin is the sign of having a dry skin.
Individuals with sensitive skin usually complain of experiencing redness inflammation nr even itch following an exposure to new skin-care products.
Q. How should one care for oily skin?
A. This kind of skin is oil-rich and prone to pimples, spots and blackheads. Washing the skin with soap and water several times a day, cleans and opens pores and prevents from acne.
Anti-bacterial and antiseptic soaps with the right PH balance are good for this kind of skin. Washing with soap and water after wiping off make-up with a cleanser is a must.
The constant efforts to remove oil and frequent soap and water washes dehydrate this type of skin therefore moisturizing the skin is necessary. These people should use cosmetic or skin care products labeled as sebum control or shine control; they should use cleansing gels, foams, alcoholic tonics, or astringent cleansers.
They should use suitable oil free sunscreen. Oil-free or water based moisturizers and cleansers help restore the skin balance.
These individuals should not cleanse their skins more than two or three times a day, as it conversely stimulates oil gland secretion. They'd better off cleaning their skin before going to bed.
In the patients aged 40 and older, AHA(alpha hydroxy acids) products should be used at night, in order to prevent wrinkles. Vitamin A capsules help control oil production. It is important for these individuals to have an oil-free diet containing large amounts of vegetables and water.
Q. How should one care for dry skin?
A. Dry skin is sensitive to cold weather and sun. Using moisturizer during the day is very helpful. These individuals should wear oily sunscreens. They benefit from cleansing their skin with mild soaps with acidic PH, cleansing milk and alcohol free lotions or tonics.
Day care for the dry skin calls for the use of a creamy moisturizer with high Sun Protection Factor (SPF). A thick night cream can seal in the moisture and provide oil for the upper layers of the skin. Night cream has to be left on the skin throughout the night.
They should use eye contour creams at least two times a day. Using hydrating masks once or twice a week also helps restore the skin.
Q. What should one keep in mind when selecting cosmetic products? What are the adverse effects of cosmetics on the skin?
A. One should know his/her skin type before selecting any cosmetic products; for instance, oil free products are recommended for oily skin. The products should be FDA approved.
Inappropriate skin care products can be comedogenic and cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Q. How can we tackle skin aging and wrinkles? A. The most important way to prevent skin aging and wrinkles is to protect the skin against sun, avoid smoking, exercising, adding fruit and vegetables to your daily diet, reducing stress and getting enough sleep. Using appropriate anti-wrinkle products can also help setback the aging process.
Q. Is there any definite treatment for pimples and pigmentations? Are lightening products of any help?
A.There are no definite treatment for pimples and pigmentations; however, the color of these marks can be reduced using special methods.
Exfoliac or peeling products and every day cleaning of the skin is the best way to treat pigmentations; however, in the presence of inflammation (comedones) , topical or oral antibiotics are recommended. It is noteworthy that using a combination of peeling products and anti-pigmentation or lightening products and sunscreen significantly improves the outcome.
Q. Peeling is one of the most frequent procedures performed nowadays. Can you describe what is it and what is it good for?
A. Peeling is a beneficial treatment for hyper pigmentation, wrinkles and ... Chemical peeling, and physical peeling are-different methods used to exfoliate skin layers; the method is usually chosen according to skin type.
Q. How should sunscreen be applied?
A. The sun is the most dangerous threat to the skin. So using sunblock is the first step in protecting the skin. Suitable skin products delay skin damage. Sunscreen should be used from childhood. Sunscreen should be chosen based on the skin type; it should provide the skin with anti-UVA, UVB and infra red protection.
Sunscreen should be water proof or water resistance so it does not wash off with sweating. In addition, it should not be absorbed by the skin, whereas it should be easily distributed on it. Its SPF should be 20 or higher; sunscreen must be used 30 minutes prior to leaving the house and should be reapplied every 2 hours. It should be applied on all parts exposed to the sun, except for the eye contour.
Q. Can you give our readers a piece of advise ? A. The best and easiest way to have young and healthy looking skin is to use sunscreen regularly, cleaning the skin with suitable cleansers. Having peace of mind and positive thinking.
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THE UNLUCKY NUMBER 13

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:24:00 GMT

Of all the bad-luck superstitions, studies show that the number 13 is the best known throughout the world.Many people avoid traveling or scheduling an important event on the 13th, just to be on the safe side!
How this Superstition Began
It is always very hard to find the origin of a particular superstition, but many experts think that the superstition about the number 13 goes back at least several thousand years and, probably, much longer. According to Norse mythology in the pre-Christian era, 12 gods met at Valhalla for a banquet. At the last minute, Loki, the spirit of evil and turmoil, pushed his way into the banquet uninvited, raising the number of banquet guests from 12 to 13. Loki got into a fight with the other gods, and in the struggle, he killed Balder, the favorite of all the gods.
This superstition spread from Scandinavia through Europe and the Middle East, and it was well-known by the time Christianity began 2,000 years ago. Many people are familiar with the Last Supper, when Christ and his 12 disciples shared a meal because he was betrayed by Judas, one of his followers, who was at the dinner. From then on,having 13 people to dinner was thought to be a bad omen and an invitation to disaster. Experts in folklore have often compared Judas, the betrayer of Christ, to Loki, the Norse Spirtit of evil and destruction.
Support for the superstition
In the year 1798, the editors of a British publication published some statistics to show that in one particular year, one out of every 13 people died. It is intereting to note that they did not publish statistics for other years- where the numbers would have been different. In the same way, people will always remember and talk about the many good things that have occurred on the same day! This is because we all search for evidence to prove what we already believe.
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How to persuade anyone to do anything

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:13:00 GMT

Some psychologists have dedicated their lives to manipulating the minds of others. Take the work of Stanford psychologists Jonathan Freedman and Scott Fraser. They wanted to see if they could persuade 112 people in one Californian suburb to place a very large sign in their gardens. The sign, apparently designed to help cut speeding, proclaimed 'Drive Carefully' and completely dominated the surroundings. Almost no residents accepted.
The researchers then approached a second set of 112 residents and asked them to display a much smaller sign that was just 7.5cm2. Almost everyone accepted. Two weeks later, the researchers returned and asked whether they would now mind replacing the small sign with the large placard. An amazing 76 per cent of people agreed.
So why the dramatic change? Agreeing to the small sign apparently made residents think of themselves as helpful citizens who were prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good. So, when it came to the big sign, they were much more likely to say yes. The experiment shows that people are far more likely to agree to a big request if they have already agreed to a small one.
The technique works in many different situations. Get people to make modest donations to charity, and larger ones will follow. Get employees to agree little changes in working conditions, and bigger ones are accepted more easily. This simple idea may even help save the planet. Get the public to make small changes to their behavior, and more significant changes are more likely.

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PISTACHIO

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:08:00 GMT

The pistachio is a small tree up to 10 m tall, native to mountainous regions of Iran, Turkmenistan and western Afghanistan.
The plants are dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The fruit has a hard, whitish shell and a striking kernel which has a mauve skin and light green flesh, with a definitive flavour.
When the fruit ripens, the husk changes from green to an autumnal yellow/ red and the shells split partially open.
History
Pistachio was first cultivated in Western Asia. It reached the Mediterranean world by way of central Iran, where it has long been an important crop. Although known to the Romans, the pistachio nut appears not to have reached the Mediterranean or most of the Near East in any quantity before medieval times. More recently pistachio has been cultivated in California (first commercial harvest in 1976) and Australia. The word pistachio is a Persian loanword, coming into English through Italian, and is a cognate to the Modern Persian word Peste'.
Cultivation and uses
The kernels are often eaten whole, either fresh or roasted and salted, and are also used in ice cream and confections such as baklava. In July 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first qualified health claim specific to nuts lowering the risk of heart disease: "Scientific evidence
suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces (42.5g) per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease other health benefits of pistachios, include that pistachios may calm acute stress reaction.
On the Greek island of Chios, the husk or flesh of the pistachio fruit surrounding the shell is cooked
and preserved in syrup, a spoonful of which would traditionally be offered as a sweet delicacy to guests.
The shell of the pistachio is naturally a beige colour, but it is sometimes dyed red or green in commercial pistachios. Originally the dye was applied by importers to hide stains on the shells caused when the nuts were picked by hand. However most pistachios are now picked by machine and the shells remain unstained, making dyeing unnecessary (except that some consumers have been led to expect coloured pistachios). Roasted pistachio nuts turn naturally red if they are marinated prior to roasting in a salt and strawberry marinade, or salt and citrus salts.
The trees are planted in orchards, and take approximately seven to ten years to reach significant production. Production is alternate bearing or biennial bearing, meaning the harvest is heavier in alternate years. Peak production is reached at approximately 20 years.
Pistachio trees are fairly hardy in the right conditions, and can survive temperature ranges between –10°C (14°F) in winter to 40°C (104°F) in summer. They need a sunny position and well-drained soil. Pistachio trees do poorly in conditions of high humidity, and are susceptible to root rot in winter if they get too much water and the soil is not sufficiently free draining. Long hot summers are required for proper ripening of the fruit.
Pistachio nuts are highly flammable when stored in large quantities, and are prone to self heating and spontaneous combustion.
Iranian Pistachio
Iran is the largest producer and exporter of pistachio with a production of more than 113,000 MT. Iranian pistachio also has the best taste and quality among other pistachio producing countries like the United States and Turkey.
Iran's Pistachio is also a very high source of protein, nutrition and energy and also has a high percentage of potassium, calcium and phosphorous in it.
Different Kind of Pistachio (Iran)
In accordance to the external shape of the pistachio it is divided to four major groups:
1.Round Iranian Pistachio (Fandoghi)
2. Jumbo Iranian Pistachio (Kalleqouchi)
3. Long Iranian Pistachio (Akbari, Ahmadaghaee, Badami)
4. Kernel Pistachio and green skinned pistachio
5. Closed Pistachi
Iranian Pistachio
Iranian Pistachios are the perfect party food -healthy, tasty and easy to serve. They will add a festive air to any occasion. Iranian Pistachios are available in the form of dry roasted and raw, ready to serve. Easy, simple and stylish! Iranian Pistachios are processed under completely healthy conditions.
Pistachio Trees
The principal producing area in Iran is Kerman, which is located in the arid southeast. Extensive plantings are located in the vicinity of Rafsanjan, Sirjan and Zarand.
Nutritious Information
Pistachios are great tasting and are a wise, nutritious snacking choice. A one-ounce serving is a generous 49 nuts and contains more than 10% of the Daily Value for dietary fiber, vitamin B-6, thiamin, phosphorus and copper.
A serving of pistachios contains just 1.5g saturated fat and is naturally cholesterol free. This is good news for pistachio lovers because scientists recommend choosing a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate, not low, in total fat.
In order to reduce the risk of heart disease, scientists highlight tree nuts such as pistachios as one of the major food groups in the diet.
Additionally, pistachios have the mineral elements like potassium, magnesium and calcium that protect against high blood pressure.
Few facts about Pistachio
- Pistachio is the core of dried nuts, and one of the most valuable high calorie foods.
- Iran produces more pistachios than any other country in the world.
- The biggest major farms of pistachio belonged to Iran. That's why Iranians are more interested in pistachio, and during the last 100 years, Iran has been the biggest and most important of pistachio grower and trader.
- Persian Pistachios are perfect, the best in the world.

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Beatrix Potter and the tale of, Peter Rabbit

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:53:00 GMT

Born: 28 July 1866, Kensington, London
Died: December 22, 1943 (aged 77), Near Sawrey
Occupation: Children's author, illustrator
Genres: Children's literature
Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author and illustrator, botanist, and conservationist, best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.
Born into a privileged family, Potter was educated by governesses, and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District developed a love of landscape, flora and fauna, all which she closely observed and painted. As a young woman her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology. In her thirties Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and became secretly engaged to her publisher Norman Warne causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding could take place.
Potter eventually published 23 children's books, and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time. In her forties she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943, and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.
Peter Rabbit and his three sisters (Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail) live with their
mother under the roots of a large fir tree. Peter, who is an adventurous young bunny, invades the garden of Mr.
McGregor. This is the same garden where his father had met with an unfortunate
accident and was made into a pie. After Peter has helped himself to some of the garden's vegetables and wanders about to find some parsley to settle his full belly, he is chased by the angry farmer. As he runs, he loses his shoes among the vegetables, and then gets caught up in the netting that protects a group of gooseberry bushes. Peter escapes just in time after a group of helpful birds encourage him to try to loose himself one more time. He loses his jacket as he wiggles free just before Mr. McGregor can trap him with a sieve. He then ducks into a gardening shed and hides in a watering can, but gives himself away when he can't help but sneeze. After three more close calls (avoiding a cat and eluding Mr. McGregor twice), he finally makes it safely out of the garden and returns home, to collapse on the floor of his home. Mr. McGregor makes a scarecrow of the clothing Peter leaves behind. Peter's sisters enjoy a bread and blackberry dinner, but Peter finds he is still not feeling well (after having eaten too much and then spending time in the wet watering can) and is sent to bed by his mother with only a bit of chamomile tea for his meal.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a popular series on children's books by Beatrix Potter the English author and illustrator. It has sold more than 151 million copies and been translated into 35 languages. The book is named after its main character 'Peter Rabbit' whose first appearance in this series was in 1902. Peter and all of the animals accompanying him in the story wear human clothes. Peter's outfit is a bright blue coat and a pair of clogs.
The above summary welcomes the reader to a world of fantasy visioned by Beatrix Potter.

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