Summary Circles and Horizons – Short Stories

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Summary Circles and Horizons - Short Stories

My 2000 Column

My 2000 Column reflects critically and sarcastically on the transition into the new millennium. It is an examination of social injustices and questions the complacency and ignorance of modern society towards global and local problems. The text uses a mixture of irony and seriousness to draw attention to the discrepancy between prosperity and misery.

The Dream Designer

The Dream Designer deals with the theme of the human search for one's true dream, authenticity and connection to inner values. It is about the pursuit of something that goes beyond superficial illusions and shows the process the hero goes through to find his ‘blue flower’ – a symbol of his personal, deeply felt dream. The plot takes the reader on a journey full of trials that ultimately leads to self-knowledge and a fulfilled life.

Where the Sky Touches the Land

Where the Sky Meets the Land is a spiritual, mystical tale of encounter, redemption and transcending time and space. The protagonist experiences an extraordinary encounter with a mysterious old man who ultimately entrusts him with the task of freeing him from his earthly burden through a symbolic ritual.

The Firebird

The Firebird is a mythical story about creation, renewal and the search for the meaning of existence. It combines nature, spirituality and cosmic cycles and weaves together motifs of transformation, consciousness and rebirth. The protagonist, the firebird, symbolises the original consciousness and essence of life, which is constantly renewed through the cycle of creation and destruction.

The Boy who was different

The story deals with the theme of exclusion and integration. It shows how prejudice and a lack of support can prevent someone from developing their potential. At the same time, it illustrates that recognition and opportunities create new possibilities and reveal talents. The central message is that every person, regardless of their differences, deserves a chance and that great achievements can be made through inclusion and motivation.

The Boy who sought his Shadow

The boy who sought his shadow is a story about the search for identity, confronting one's inner self and accepting all facets of oneself. Andrew's journey to self-acceptance is both a universal and personal experience that addresses the pursuit of happiness and the need to face one's own shadows. The story encourages us to accept the parts of ourselves that are often perceived as negative or painful in order to ultimately lead a fulfilled and happy life.

The Flute

The Flute offers a reflection on art, identity and transience by depicting an emotional relationship between the narrator and his flute. The flute symbolises both artistic self-realisation and a deep connection to one's own soul that transcends the framework of existential themes. The protagonist is facing execution, and his flute becomes the last link between him and the freedom of self-expression.

The Flute unfolds a profound allegory about breaking away from one's parents, the inner conflict that this entails, and the search for an authentic self.

Waiting in Holyhead

Waiting in Holyhead explores the fleeting but meaningful nature of chance encounters. It shows how strangers can find common ground through shared interests – in this case, football and local culture. The focus is on cultural identity, prejudice and the feeling of belonging. The central message emphasises that even brief encounters can have a profound emotional impact and build bridges between cultures.

The Departure

In The Departure, the main character reflects on an existential crisis and a profound examination of the themes of transience, immutability and self-knowledge. The first-person narrator finds himself in a state that cannot be completely classified as either life or death. The text is permeated by a philosophical heaviness that is reflected in Erek's ongoing search for stability, identity and fulfilment.

The Third Chance

The Third Chance tells the tragic story of a man who, in a state of ignorance and inner turmoil, misses a decisive, irrevocable chance for self-discovery and redemption. The mystical figure Michaela appears as a kind of ‘fairy’ or perhaps as a manifestation of his own conscience and confronts him with the possibility of changing something fundamental in his life by making a third wish. This figure appears as a last chance for reflection and decision – but as it turns out, he chooses the transitory and superficial and thus loses the path to inner knowledge once and for all.

Circulus vitiosus

Circulus vitiosus illuminates a profound drama of forgiveness and revenge and depicts a vicious circle of anger, pity and unprocessed pain. The author uses several stylistic and literary devices to emphasise the tormented relationship between Käthe and Adele.

Circulus vitiosus is a tragic and psychologically dense narrative that shows how unresolved losses and the urge for revenge can destroy one's own life. Käthe is a character who destroys herself by holding on to her resentment. The story urges reflection on the value of forgiveness and the danger of self-deception, which can ultimately turn life into a bleak cycle.

The Children's Grave

The Children's Grave deliberately presents a disturbing, psychologically dense picture of how children deal with death, while at the same time revealing deep family alienation. Bastian's childlike perspective is used to reveal a series of subtle conflicts and emotional voids that prevail in the family and come to the fore through the confrontation with Frédérics death.

The Children's Grave is a story that offers a deep insight into psychological abysses. The emotional emptiness and lack of family closeness are reinforced by Bastian's pragmatic approach to his brother's death. This grotesque yet sober narrative reflects dysfunctional family structures. The story exposes not only Bastian's inability to grieve, but also the coldness and indifference of his parents, who seem to have left him to adopt such an attitude.

The Time Switch

Die Zeitweiche tells the story of a man who is confronted with a painful past and long-suppressed memories. Through the motif of thick fog, which represents both protection and a barrier, the story symbolises the repression of childhood trauma and the inner urge to come to terms with it.

Through the deliberate use of stylistic devices, the inner tragedy of the protagonist unfolds, whose path to self-discovery has long been blocked by the conscious or unconscious repression of his traumatic childhood experiences. The language and structure of the narrative reinforce the psychological depth and oppressive atmosphere by leading the reader through different levels of reality and into the emotional world of the protagonist.

The Vegan

The Vegan humorously and ironically describes the conflict between two fundamentally different lifestyles: that of a meat lover and that of a vegan. Through exaggerated characters and an absurd ending, the story creates stark contrasts between ideology and everyday experience to highlight the fragility of extreme lifestyles.

The Vegan was created as a stylistically dense story that uses irony, exaggeration and a laconic tone to point out the fragility and absurdity of extreme worldviews. The punchline gives the story a satirical undertone that encourages reflection on the rigidity of ideological convictions.

The Flatboat Trip

The Flatboat Trip absurdly describes a boat trip on the IJsselmeer and the sometimes grotesque, sometimes human interactions between the participants. The central anecdote of the story — the narrator's near-fatal situation, from which he is rescued by his ‘enemy’ Zdenek — is a defining moment told with a mixture of suspense and humour. Various stylistic elements are deliberately used to emphasise both the humour and the interpersonal nuances of the plot.

Overall, The Flatboat Trip uses satirical sharpness and a light-hearted tone to show the absurdity of rigid enemy stereotypes and the unexpected humanity that emerges despite all differences. The stylistic devices serve to emphasise the humorous nature of the story without losing sight of the serious dimension of prejudice and humanity.

Immortality for an elite – The title story

Immortality for an elite describes in dystopian terms a world in which the social, political and ecological tensions of the 21st century have led to a bleak reality in the year 2045. The introduction to the text provides a comprehensive overview of global crises: overpopulation, climate catastrophes and social inequalities, which can be attributed to a lack of solidarity and failed international cooperation. The situation not only reflects scientifically sound predictions, but also deepens a vision of moral and social decline.

The dialogical structure, philosophical references and vivid, often dystopian language create a profound and multifaceted discussion about immortality. The story balances hope and scepticism, using the characters as representatives of the diverse perspectives on a topic that questions the limits of human experience and the ethical principles of science.

Boredom

Langeweile (Boredom) is a story that the author wrote for a poetry slam performance. In order to get laughs and points from the audience, the performance had to be as monotonous as the situation it describes. The narrator describes the feeling of monotony and how humans deal with the passing of time. The protagonist, who sits in a rocking chair and observes his surroundings, experiences the apparent endlessness of time and tries to counteract it through observations and actions. Central themes such as distraction, expectation and the cyclical nature of boredom are explored.

In summary, the story shows how people deal with boredom and how even small events gain significance when there are no other stimuli. It raises the question of whether boredom is ultimately a challenge or an inevitable constant in human life.

Limits of science

The satire Limits of Science uses black humour and irony to highlight the obsessive search for rationality and perfection. The protagonist, a physicist, loses himself in the absurd endeavour of scientifically calibrating an egg cooker. Exaggeration and exaggerated language question the meaning of rationality and science.

Limits of Science uses humour and satire to highlight the limits of the pursuit of rationality and the tendency towards exaggeration in scientific thinking. The protagonist ultimately fails to turn his life around. With irony and parody, the protagonist is portrayed as a tragicomic figure who encourages the reader to reflect on the meaning of excessive rationality. The exaggeration in his behaviour raises the question of the extent to which science and rationality always offer the most sensible solutions and how easy it is to lose oneself in a pointless pursuit of perfection. The story is intended to reflect humorously but critically on the human tendency to overcomplicate everyday life and lose sight of what is essential. This goes beyond science.

The stylistic devices used turn the story into a satirical reflection on the absurdity of applying scientific precision without measure or purpose.

The author should know this, after all, he is a physicist.

On the regional train

On the regional train, the train itself serves as a symbol for the journey of life, the journey that brings us closer to people and then takes us away from them again. The points that separate the trains symbolise the unstoppable power of fate, which brings people together and tears them apart again.

Im Regionalzug is told from an authorial perspective. This makes it possible, for example, to recount the emotional events of both protagonists in the encounter between a red-haired woman and a red-haired man on another train. Overall, the story should be told in poetic, reflective language that elevates everyday experiences to an introspective and meaningful journey. Through rich detail, parallelism and symbolism, the regional train journey becomes a multifaceted metaphor for the encounters and transience of life.

Train journey to Lucerne

The story is a psychological portrait of a young person who collapses under the weight of family expectations and a lack of emotional connection. With stylistic diversity – from irony and symbolism to inner monologues and a surprising ending – the story aims to achieve a certain depth that confronts the reader with the themes of social isolation and psychological fragility.

Melody of Love in 111 Words

The short prose text Melody of Love in 111 Words thrives on dense and poetic language, which uses evocative images and melodious word choice to create a sensual mood.

Windelwetter

Nappy Weather describes a day in the life of a small child experiencing everyday life in the poor surroundings of the early post-war period. The main character, a child, watches his mother doing the laborious, old-fashioned work of washing nappies, which often causes her displeasure. The mother is irritated and exhausted by her daily chores, which transport the reader back to the past: here, washing and work are still done without modern technology and comfort. This ‘nappy weather’ symbolises the emotional strain and inevitability of hard work in the mother's life.

Overall, the text shows how everyday life and the social environment can lead to interpersonal tensions and a loss of affection and care. The story invites us to reflect on human needs and emotional challenges that often remain unfulfilled in precarious living conditions and unfold in destructive ways.

The black woman

The Black Woman is a dark and ironic exploration of death, grief and the human need to be the centre of attention. It sketches the funeral of a man whose sudden death leaves a dramatic void in the life of his widow, while at the same time the ceremony, supposedly dedicated to his memory, primarily exposes the social and psychological dynamics of the mourning community.

Overall, the author uses a multi-layered combination of irony, symbolism and linguistic precision to capture the tension between genuine grief and social vanity and to portray the human tendency towards self-centredness even in the face of death.

My Revolution 1968

My Revolution 1968 describes, from a first-person perspective, the narrator's first encounter with the student movement and the ‘revolution’ of 1968. It is full of irony and humorous self-distance, juxtaposing the idealism of the protest movement of the time with the youthful naivety of the narrator.

The narrator looks back with ironic detachment on his younger self, who slips into a protest movement without much knowledge or understanding. This irony is particularly evident in moments when he rebels outwardly, but inwardly is primarily interested in his own comfort and the advances of ‘Maus’. The supposed ‘revolutionary spirit’ becomes a compromise between political uncertainty and youthful excitement.

Overall, Meine Revolution 1968 is a humorous, ironic examination of youthful zeal and the political movements of the 1968 generation. It shows how a mixture of ignorance, rebellion and personal interests fits into the revolutionary climate of the time. Through the use of irony, exaggeration and situational comedy, the author creates an episode of self-discovery that describes the transition from childlike naivety to a first encounter with political ideas – a ‘revolution’ that in reality remains a personal experience, detached from the grand ideals it claims to represent.

The Love Life of Mrs Charlotte

In Das Liebesleben der Frau Charlotte (The Love Life of Mrs Charlotte), a seemingly harmless and unremarkable woman becomes entangled in an unexpected, mysterious story, which is told through the eyes of her curious neighbour, Mrs Ruprecht. The story skilfully plays with themes such as social perception, loneliness and the search for love and financial independence, while maintaining an ironic distance from these themes.

The Love Life of Mrs Charlotte uses irony, ambiguity and social observation to tell a story about love, disappointment and social expectations. It is a kind of modern fairy tale with a sobering ending that explores the human needs for love, affection and social status, while at the same time pointing out the distance that can exist between these needs and reality. Frau Charlotte's ultimate isolation – despite her wealth and brief happiness – emphasises the tragedy of a society in which desires and superficial relationships often offer no long-term fulfilment.

Jonathan changes his life

Jonathan changes his life is an allegory about the courage to change and the possibility of actively shaping one's own existence. Jonathan recognises the repetitive, monotonous rhythm of his life – represented by walking – and at a decisive moment decides to make a radical change: he starts jumping. This transition from walking to jumping symbolises a conscious departure from routine and passivity towards an active and self-determined way of life. The story uses a mixture of ironic humour and philosophical approaches to address existential questions.

Jonathan Changes His Life is a philosophical and humorous parable about the courage to change and the power of individual decision-making. The transition from walking to hopping symbolises Jonathan's decision to take control of his own life, even if this may be more strenuous than simply ‘going with the flow’. The story encourages reflection, personal responsibility and the will to self-realisation – an inspiring message about the possibility of giving ‘fate’ a new direction through one's own decisions.

The Chestnut Avenue

Die Kastanienallee tells the story of a man trapped in an existential crisis, accompanied by guilt, despair and bitter self-reflection. The text paints a melancholic and at the same time oppressive picture of inner turmoil and loss, which ultimately culminates in a deep doubt about his own moral integrity.

‘Die Kastanienallee’ is a story about alienation, self-doubt and the inability to take responsibility for one's own life and actions. The protagonist seems incapable of truly recognising the reasons for the failure of his marriage, and the pain of loss causes him to erode internally. The symbolism of the avenue, the moon and the chestnut tree lends the narrative a melancholic depth by reflecting the gap between the longed-for peace and the reality of failure.

Overall, this is a psychologically dense and symbolic story that reminds the reader of the destructive forces of jealousy, mistrust and self-denial, and shows how closely love and self-destruction can be interwoven in a desperate mind.

Do chickens really go to heaven?

This story touches on deeper questions about life and death in a subtle and impressive way, using the perspective of a boy who tries to come to terms with his experiences in a childlike yet profound way. It not only describes the children's confrontation with death and transience, but also their longing for security and meaning, which becomes particularly clear in such moments.

The naive view of the children, who believe that prayer and the improvised grave could bring the chickens to heaven, creates a dramatic irony. The reader understands the absurdity and simultaneous tragedy of this belief, while the children appear authentic and touching in their efforts.

The author tells a sensitive and multi-layered story that vividly depicts childlike innocence, grief and the attempt to cope with loss.

The Shadow

The Shadow deals with the psychological intrusion of darkness and shows how this ‘shadow’ can completely take over a person's life, to the point of denying light and warmth. The work has a strong allegorical quality and deals with existential themes such as the absence of hope, the denial of goodness and the transformative power of self-knowledge.

The Shadow can therefore be read as a critical reflection on today's challenges. It reminds us that it often takes a hard and long journey to find the ‘light’ again after losing oneself in darkness and self-deception.

Sacrilege in Papillon

Sacrilege in Papillon is an entertaining and tragicomic tale that unfolds in an absurd and exaggerated scenario to humorously explore the themes of communication, social norms and the tension between individuality and conformity. It skilfully plays with exaggeration and irony to make the reader both smile and think.

The author uses a diverse range of stylistic devices to tell the story in a humorous way while also telling a profound story. The mixture of irony, exaggeration, social criticism and surreal elements makes the text both entertaining and multi-layered. The stylistic devices reinforce the impact of the message by emphasising the absurdity and tragicomic nature of the events described.

From the life of a piece of chewing gum

The author would like to tell a true story to accompany this, let's say, nonsense story. He more or less forced the small, quiet New Year's Eve party, where the main topics of conversation were the past and cats, to listen to a story from his book. The reluctance to listen was written all over the faces of the listeners, but he read on anyway. The hostess's reaction was: ‘Who reads stuff like that?’

To this, we would reply that this is fundamentally the wrong question. The question should be: “Why does he write stuff like that?” If you are still interested in an answer, he explains it in this book.

The story is primarily intended as humorous, absurd entertainment. It plays with language, exaggeration and bizarre situations to make the reader smile. There is no deeper message intended. Ultimately, the text invites us to look at the world with a twinkle in our eye – and perhaps laugh a little more often at the banalities of life.

Wachträume

Wachträume is one of those stories typically written for poetry slams. The best way to score points is to humorously describe your own human weaknesses or quirks to make the audience laugh. The best tool for this is always thorough self-observation.

Wachträume describes the development of childhood and adolescent dreams into adult daydreams. The narrator describes different phases of his life in which he repeatedly sees himself as a hero or visionary, but always with an ironic distance from himself. The central theme of the story is the power of imagination that accompanies and influences real life.

The Lost Parking Space

The Lost Parking Space is an ironic and pointed short story with a painful and surprising ending. It plays with themes of anger, impulsiveness and the unexpected consequences of thoughtless actions.

The Lost Parking Space is an ironic look at human weaknesses such as impulsiveness, anger and excessive possessiveness. With its surprising ending and black humour, it shows the main character – and potentially the reader – that rash actions often cause the most harm to ourselves. It invites us to take a more relaxed view of everyday annoyances and not to act too hastily.

The Princess and the Dragon

The fairy tale parody The Princess and the Dragon - Sowaswiemärchen is a humorous, satirical deconstruction of classic fairy tale motifs. It takes central elements of traditional fairy tales – such as princesses, dragons and heroes – and twists them with irony and socially critical undertones.

The Princess and the Dragon - Sowaswiemärchen - is a funny and biting parody that turns classic fairy tale motifs on their head while subtly criticising society. It plays with the reader's expectations and exposes the absurdities and clichés often found in such stories. Ultimately, the parody shows that the ‘hero's journey’ is not always necessary – and that sometimes foregoing stereotypical fairy tale endings makes for a better story.

The Bratwurst Drama

The Bratwurst Drama is an amusing account of an observation that pokes fun at the little everyday struggles and idiosyncrasies of people in a seemingly mundane situation. The dialogue between the couple and the sausage seller unfolds into an absurd argument about the ‘right’ bratwurst and reflects various themes.

This story is a humorous and absurd examination of the small conflicts of everyday life. It uses the dispute over a ‘wrongly’ fried bratwurst as a metaphor for exaggerated expectations, communication problems and the often pointless escalation of misunderstandings. It also reflects social issues such as pride in expertise, the demands of service professions and the dynamics of relationships. Ultimately, the story is an amusing reflection on the human need for control and perfection in a world full of trivialities.

The Wind

The Wind describes a surreal experience that moves between dream and reality. The protagonist is caught by a breeze and carried away on a symbolic journey that ends with lust, freedom, pleasure and an abrupt setback. The narrative structure, which repeats cyclically at the end, leaves open whether the experience was real or a product of the imagination. Overall, it is a symbolically charged narrative that leaves the reader suspended between dream and reality.

The Silence of the Beloved

A melodramatic exaggeration

The Silence of the Beloved is a humorous and satirical look at human sensitivities, combining everyday adversities with exaggerated drama and lyrical language. The narrator uses exaggerated language and melodramatic phrases to transform the banal experience of a rain shower into an existential crisis. The story is a satire on the human tendency to imbue everyday experiences with exaggerated pathos. It plays with romantic and tragic motifs in a completely exaggerated way, but ultimately exposes the banality of everyday life. In its satirical exaggeration, it aims to encourage reflection on how people deal with setbacks and their own tendency to dramatise their lives.

The diagnosis

The sudden confrontation with the finiteness of life is portrayed here in an absurd and exaggerated way. Instead of showing fear or reflection, the protagonist opts for hedonistic excess. The diagnosis becomes a justification for ignoring all social conventions and indulging fully in pleasure.

The Diagnosis is a darkly humorous satire that plays with themes of mortality, excess and meaninglessness. It shows the absurdity of human reactions to life-changing events and subtly comments on the decadence and superficiality of modern societies. The punchline at the end underscores the irony of the entire story: the freedom that the protagonist experiences through the supposedly fatal diagnosis proves to be hollow, and the return to normal life brings no redemption.

The Bargain

The Bargain is a socially critical narrative that works with subtle but powerful symbolism. It addresses the dangers of greed, the limits of trust and the moral abysses of the entertainment industry. Through the clever combination of idyll and horror, the reader is led to reflect on the consequences of modern surveillance and the loss of privacy. The story can be understood as a parable about the commercialisation of privacy and the power of the media.

Winter Sale

Winter Sale paints an exaggerated picture of human weaknesses, group dynamics and consumerism, while at the same time illuminating the character and self-perception of the protagonist, Paul.

The story satirically draws attention to the absurdity of consumer behaviour and shows how peer pressure and external circumstances can drive even reasonable people to act irrationally. Paul is an anti-hero whose experiences remind us to think critically about our own behaviour patterns.

The humorous, pointed narrative style ensures that the criticism remains easy to digest without coming across as preachy. Paul's decision never to go to a sale again brings a certain redemption – but the bras in the secret compartment remain a silent reminder of his ill-fated adventure.

The proud homeless man

The Proud Homeless Man impressively highlights the complex tension between helping others, dignity and pride – in a way that leaves the reader both thoughtful and moved. It not only addresses the discrepancy between outward actions and inner motivations, but also raises fundamental questions about social values and individual perspectives. It is a story that embeds social and moral questions in an everyday, almost banal situation. It shows how thin the line is between genuine helpfulness and egocentric helping – and is intended to leave the reader feeling thoughtful and perhaps even self-reflective.

World events from the balcony of a shared attic flat

The story is about an everyday scene in a shared attic flat, characterised by melancholy, social alienation and subtle humour. The focus is on Dirk, a heroin addict, and his companion Sebastian, who stage their existence in a kind of decadent retreat. The story explores the tension between self-deception, social decline and the attempt to counter desolation with creativity and imagination.

The story is a multifaceted snapshot that captivates with its laconic humour and melancholic depth of observation. It raises questions about morality, addiction and the role of the individual in an alienated society, without seeking to be didactic or judgemental. The charm of the story lies in its openness and its astute, albeit humorous, portrayal of the characters and their world.

The Pedantic Passenger

The Pedantic Passenger describes in minute detail the observation of a corpulent passenger who devotes himself with meticulous precision to the ritual of eating during a flight. The story combines humorous exaggeration with a critical look at human idiosyncrasies. The focus is on the discrepancy between the everyday nature of the action and the extraordinary devotion of the protagonist, which sets him apart from his surroundings.

The story is intended to captivate readers with its detailed, humorous style and precise characterisation of the pedantic passenger. It shows in an entertaining way how even trivial actions can become absurd rituals when performed with an exaggerated love of order. At the same time, it invites readers to reflect on human idiosyncrasies and their effect on others.

At the urologist

The story describes the embarrassing and absurd experience of a man who, in the course of a sperm test, is confronted with unfamiliar situations, inhibitions and social conventions. The humorous tone of the story draws attention to human insecurities, especially with regard to sexuality, intimacy and the dynamics of relationships.

At the urologist combines exaggeration with subtle criticism of social taboos. It shows how absurd situations often arise from our own insecurities and invites the reader to view human weaknesses with humour. The surprising ending gives the story a punchline that transforms the protagonist's apparent failure into an unexpected success.

End of a chromosome

End of a Chromosome deals with a fictional but controversial topic in gender studies and biological reproduction. At its heart is the controversial idea of abolishing the Y chromosome and thus biological males. Through the dialogue between Yvonne, a biology professor, and Gerald, her partner, questions about gender roles, scientific progress and the consequences for society are explored.

End of a Chromosome aims to encourage reflection on the limits of progress and the importance of diversity in life. Gerald sympathises with gender equality, and in his relationship, the protagonist is already dominant, which is also reflected in Yvonne's social position. Gerald is simply portrayed as the professor's man. He therefore sympathises with something that is already reality for him. However, he does not see progress in the suppression of masculinity, but in a balanced partnership between the sexes. He wants to preserve masculinity in all its diversity.

The male discomfort when women simply reverse the power relations is intentional in Ende eines Chromosoms. Humanity is still a long way from gender equality, and femicide is not uncommon even in so-called enlightened societies. The author has therefore given women the means of power with which they could enable androcide. The idea that selfish thinking could influence women's actions is once again male thinking, as Yvonne sarcastically remarks in the final punchline.

Altweiberfastnacht

Altweiberfastnacht is intended to be a humorous and at the same time thoughtful reflection on human nature, social dynamics and carnival as a backdrop for social masquerades. Through the first-person perspective of an ironically detached narrator, a sharp portrait of the participants in this traditional festival is drawn. The story plays with themes such as authenticity, role behaviour and the subtle power games that are also present in the exuberant moments of carnival.

Altweiberfastnacht is a satire that uses carnival as a mirror of social conditions. It combines observations from a distance with reflections on authenticity, social dynamics and the price of success. The protagonist embodies the tension between participation and distance, freedom and conformity. His ironic perspective is intended to make this story both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The gnome and the chameleon

The storyteller and the embedded narrative of the gnome and the chameleon could be interpreted as a complex allegory on central human themes such as the seductive power of illusions, the value of dreams and the dualistic nature of human beings.

However, this story has a real background.

The author wrote this story after observing a young heroin addict for a year. The man fluctuated between addiction and withdrawal several times. After reaching rock bottom in his addiction, he entered detoxification to return to his ‘normal state’. The author characterised the changes in his personality in each state as ‘gnomes’ and ‘chameleons’. The ‘chameleon’ is the so-called ‘normal state’ that the addict assumes after detoxification without serious therapy. The impending relapse is already apparent. After that, the dose required to maintain the ‘normal state’ becomes higher and higher. The illusion is that one has everything under control. However, the author introduces a third personality, which he leaves unnamed and refers to only as the ‘protagonist of the powerful dream.’ This is intended to show that the dilemma between ‘gnomes’ and ‘chameleons’ must be broken. Everyone has the opportunity to overcome their ‘chameleons’ and become the ‘protagonist of the powerful dream’; they just have to want it and have a very strong will. If not, it leads to the end described in the epilogue. I have met a few ‘protagonists of the powerful dream’ who, after overcoming their own addiction, trained to become therapists. They work to destroy the illusions of addicts and give them dreams.

Incidentally, the witch represents the drug dealer.

The Gnome and the Chameleon is not only a general parable about being stuck in vicious circles, but with the background knowledge, it is also a precise allegory about addiction, detoxification, relapse and the possibility of overcoming it. The author creates a profound examination of these issues by revealing both the destructive mechanisms and the hope for change. Of course, the reader cannot know the real background, but the storyteller points out that there is one. However, the terms ‘magic potion’ and ‘overdose’ are already strong clues.

IQ – Empátheia or Visit from the Neighbour

The story deals with the themes of intelligence, empathy and possible first contact with extraterrestrial life. It raises the question of whether empathy is a decisive factor in the transfer of advanced technologies and implicitly questions humanity by suggesting that it does not meet these requirements.

IQ – Empátheia or Visit from the Neighbour is a pointed mini-story that aims to address complex topics such as ethics, intelligence and the value of empathy in just a few words. Its open ending and implicit criticism of humanity invite the reader to reflect on their own society and its moral maturity.

Essay on the difficulty of living up to one's own standards

On the difficulty of living up to one's own standards is a reflection on fundamental philosophical and psychological questions that shape human existence. The text moves on several levels, from individual self-perception to social phenomena to metaphysical considerations. The central challenge is the discrepancy between theoretical ideals and practical living.

A central motif of the essay is the humility the author feels in the face of his own insignificance in the universe. The image of a ‘grain of fine dust’ racing through space at unimaginable speeds is intended to lend the reflection a poetic and at the same time sobering quality.

The essay is a multi-layered text that combines individual and universal themes. It is intended to encourage self-reflection and calls on the reader to take responsibility for their own actions. At the same time, the text remains open and invites reflection on social and global problems. The combination of philosophical assumptions, personal insight and social criticism is intended to highlight the difficulty of bringing these different perspectives to a single point. But where else to start but with the self?

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