Friday, July 11, 2008

Busy Times!

This is the story of a little princess, who wanted to find her own way in life. She was surrounded by loving family and all possible luxury, but yet it felt like some kind of prison. One day, she meets a mystic, Puer, who convinces her to listen to her heart. If she is willing to follow him to discover her intuitivity, she will find her own path. So she does and finally Puer leaves her alone, in the company of his magic flying horse, named 'Silvery Horse' (or Pega, but that was 'official'). So far, this story was given to me by a dear Italian philosopher. From here, Nuria's stories are flowing from my pencil into your pc - Nuria said Addio, Addio to Puer. - Nuria met Little Why, who was discovering life; she also met a man with no-name (see stories below). Everything was fine, it was good to travel! But.....

Since the day that Nuria had decided to leave her father's kingdom, every day had been full of joy. Princess met very kind strangers, beautiful animals and her silvery horse Pegasus only had taken the sunny sides of the day. But things seemed to be changing.

Her awakening soul felt some uneasiness. For the first time, princess spurred her horse; it was getting dark and she longed for a warm shelter. Something strange was in the air. The sun had gone to sleep much too early. Nature was in a dead silence. There was no other noise than her horse's cadence on the sandy road. No birds singing, no trees waving, nothing but an intense silence.

Fortunately, afar, some lights were shining; was there a farm or maybe a little settlement? Nuria felt hungry and thirsty, and even a little homesick. How she wished to be with her dear family now! Her eyes filled with tears, thinking about home.

All of a sudden, silvery horse stopped. He snorted loudly and shook his head restless. Some strange people approached. They were all dressed in grey, their heads covered with dark veils. No, they were not going to the lights in front of Nuria. These strangers were running into darkness! Nuria tried to stop them. 'Dear people, you better stay in the settlement behind you! You will not find any in front of you within a day's walk!'

None of the strangers reacted. They looked frightened and hushed into the night, without saying one word.

Princess had no other choice but to go ahead and soon she and Pega entered indeed a little settlement. Two huge torches marked its entrance. A farm, some barns, two cottages, that was all. Then, out of the dark, two burning yellow eyes showed up. Belonging to an enormous black dog, not barking at all, just showing its teeth. What a welcome!

As if this was not enough, all of a sudden a man's voice thundered around. A huge giant came up. 'Cerbus, go back', he urged the dog. And in one breath he said to the princess: 'And you, come along!' Nuria felt shocked. She was not used to comments in such a brute way. But the giant lost his temper. 'Don't you hear me? Something wrong with your ears?! Come along! Bring your horse to the stable and follow me. Spit Spot!'

Princess laid her arms around Pega's neck to calm down. 'Just do what he says', the horse whispered, 'don't you worry, here you'll find a new life-experience.' Then, silvery horse disappeared in the stable.

Now, Nuria was on her own. She tried the friendly approach. 'Good night, my dear man' , she said. 'Thank you so much for offering my horse a stable. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Nuria, and who are you?'

The answer was brief and clear: 'Shut up! Because I Say So!' The giant pushed her into his house. Inside it smelt awful of burned onions and rotten eggs. In the light of one small candle, Nuria noticed a table covered with left overs and mouse-droppings. What a mess! And what a disaster! Why had silvery horse taken her to this dreadful place? With fear and trembling she wondered what was coming next! A new life-experience, as Pega had whispered? Rather not, not here!

But Giant had locked the door. 'No run-aways, understand? Because I Say So! And now, start cleaning the house, immediately, Because I Say So!

Poor Nuria had no other options but to obey. Not only that night, but for seven days and more she cleaned and cleaned and cleaned! Her hands got damaged, her nails broken, her shining hair got dull. At night, laying on the clay ground, in a corner of the room, she cried till she felt in a restless sleep. Nuria cried until there were no more tears left to cry.

Attempts to escape failed, she tried the windows, she tried the chimney, but each time there was this mean Cerbus-dog to stop her.

Our princess felt desperate. But then, one night, when Giant was asleep, there was a soft and warm whiff entering through the cracks of the cottage. At the same time Nuria smelt the wonderful perfume of roses, which reminded her of her father's Castle and the beautiful gardens on his property. A remarkable fortitude came over her.

She awoke Giant, and before he could say anything, she looked him right into his flaming eyes and said: 'It is time for me to leave. You are a poor soul, always living in darkness, shouting all the time, having no other companion than a mean dog. And forgive my speaking to you in this way, but I am fed up with you! And don't argue with me, Because I Say So!!!'

Now Giant started to cry. He cried and cried and cried for many hours and Cerbus whined together with its boss. Then, when Giant hat no more tears to cry, he managed to speak.

He took Nuria's hands and said: 'Thank you, thank you, thank you very much! You are the very first person who named me by my name, since many many years.'

Nuria frowned her brows. This guy was even more crazy than she had thought before.
But Giant continued: 'I want to tell you this! When I was a little boy, my father taught me to give orders in a way others never could refuse. That's why they nicknamed me BISS, Because I Say So. When I grew older and my parents had died, I felt the need to gain magical black power. I wanted more than power by giving orders. In search for influence, I left home to the lands of the Vampires. And there I offered my soul to a stranger, in return for power! Not knowing that from that day on nobody could reach my inner soul anymore.'

Vampires? Black power? Nuria listened full of surprise. Was this part of the world she knew and loved so much? This was bad enough to give you the shudders!! Yet, she managed to ask a question. 'Where did you use this black power for?'

Giant seemed to grow and raised his voice. 'I could rule the world, I destroyed houses, ordered rivers to flood, fires to burn woods, I controlled nature!' Nuria couldn't believe her ears. 'Did you like to be that evil?' Now Giant shrinked a little. 'Yes, I liked it. Although I was lonely, very lonely. Only Evil was my friend. I returned to my fathers' land. But the settlement was abandoned. I found the grave of my sister and her children. All others had left. One living soul was waiting for me, Cerbus, as evil as myself. Which was fine. I had found a dog as companion and I hold visitors, asking for some food or lodgement, as hostages as long as I needed them to clean the place or to work on the land. I did not mind, until today. What happened?'

He started crying again, with shrugging shoulders. 'I lost my black power, I lost control.... Because I Say So, BissBissBiss.....'
What to do with a wheeping ex-evil Giant? Nuria wanted to leave, as soon as possible!
She heard him blubbering, saying to himself: 'She must be a princess, a true princess. Her honorable virginity and integrity broke my power.....' Cerbus had gone, Pegasus entered the room. Giant didn't react.

Nuria climbed her beloved horse; outside a wonderful sunny world was waiting. Birds were singing. Once more Nuria watched the poor giant. She sprinkled him with little stars coming from her eyes. Then she said: 'Thank you for your lessons. I never cleaned a place before. I never was treated in the way you did to me and I never ever lived in a place covered with mouse-droppings. I learned how to survive bad circumstances. I learned to be strong. And I experienced that, after stormy periods, rest returns. Now, you may have learned that using black power makes a person poor. So Bliss, I make a wish. May your name from now on only be connected with BISou, which is French for Kiss, which sounds like Bliss.
Well, she knew, this comparison was not striking, but for Giant it was fair enough.

Then Pega took off and together they flew away, up, high in the skies.

Friday, July 4, 2008

When princess Nuria meets a very peculiar old man


This is the story of a little princess, who wanted to find her own way in life. She was surrounded by a loving family and all possible luxury, but yet it felt like some kind of prison. One day, she meets a mystic, Puer, who convinces her to listen to her heart. If she is willing to follow him to discover her intuitivity, she will find her own path. So she does and finally Puer leaves her alone, in the company of his magic flying horse, named 'Silvery Horse' . So far, this story was given to me by a dear Italian philosopher. From here, Nuria's stories are flowing from my pencil into your pc - Nuria said Addio, Addio to Puer. - Nuria met Little Why, who was discovering life (see stories below). Now, Nuria meets a very peculiar old man....

Silvery horse had a mission. He was travelling north. Nuria noticed; clouds were getting grey, landscape became flatter. 'Why are we travelling north, Pega?', she asked. Silvery horse laughed in a horsy way. 'Hihihihihihieeeeeeee, one travels to the north to find sensitivity, one travels to the south to find sexuality, my dear princess! When you are old enough, you will find your way back to the south, I say! There you will complete your happiness!'

Nuria thought about having a boyfriend and how wonderful it would be to make love and to be loved by one very special person. To caress him and overload him with kisses every day, to share lifes and thoughts in harmony, and .....

What was that?! Pegasus pricked his ears. Then he turned left, towards a small wooden bridge. There, an old man was speaking to himself. 'If I was not fishing today, I would have been hunting. And then, maybe, I would have eaten meat tonight. But now I have nothing to eat because fish won't bite. If I don't have fish, then I must eat porridge, but if I eat porridge then I must find some honey to sweeten and if......'

Nuria interrupted the old man. 'You also could sweeten your porridge with strawberries, if you like. I found quite a lot this morning, you may have some of mine.' The old man stared into the water of the fast streaming brooklet below and replied: 'As fish won't bite today, I will accept your offer, young lady.' He collected his fishing rod and said: 'We can eat porridge together at my place, which is close by.' And so they did.

Pega found some fresh grass in the backyard of man's place while Nuria and the old man went inside.

Nuria looked around. There was little furniture. Two wooden chairs, a small table, a cupboard, some blankets on the ground and a pot of bubbling porridge above a modest fireplace.

'If I had not decided to fish today, I wouldn't have met you, young lady. But if you had not decided to travel in my direction, then I would not have met you either! What do you say?!' 'Well', Nuria said, 'maybe it was meant to be. It is a pleasure meeting you, what is your name?'

'I have no name', the old man answered. 'Well, maybe I have a name, but I am very old and I don't remember any name! But if I had not became that old, then I would have known my name till my last sigh.' Nuria nodded. He had a point.

What was the use of getting old, anyway? Some old people became very wise, others lost their memories and lived in total innocence. She asked: 'Do you have any memories left?'

The old man smiled and answered: 'My dear young lady, my memory is full of consequences! If my memory had gone, then I had forgotten the law of cause and effect. Always remember this most important law of your life !!'

The law of cause and effect!!!! If..... Then..... If..... Then..... Nuria was highspeed thinking, she even forgot to put the strawberries in the porridge. How painful it should be to live without having a name.....

They enjoyed their meal in silence. Even the old man said nothing for a while. Pegasus interfeared. He neighed from the garden: 'Princess, it is time to say goodbye!'

Nuria stood up. 'Thank you for the porridge, I must leave now. You are very kind and you are the most logical person I have ever met. May I remember you as Mr. If-Th, Ifth?

The man shook her hands and smiled. 'It was a pleasure meeting you. And thank you for giving me a new name. If-Th, Ifth, Ifthy!! I like it!!! If I did not practice the law of cause and effect then I would not be named Ifthy! Ifthy, that's me!! This is a name I can remember! Thank you, Nuria!'

Nuria?! How did he know her name? She did not remember telling him.... As if he could read her thoughts, Ifthy said: 'If I had not dreamt about you before, then I would not have known your name. That's normal, he?'

What to say? Nuria decided that this would be normal for logical thinking peopal. She belonged to the intuitive ones. It was time to go. She waved to Ifthy, kissed Pega on his nose and left, going where the winds were blowing them.

Please NOTE: All Nuria Stories are under copyright of Vicky van der Hof -

Friday, April 18, 2008

Farewell, Puer, addio, addio!


This is the story of a little princess, who wanted to find her own way in life. She was surrounded by a loving family and all possible luxury, but yet it felt like some kind of prison. One day, she meets a mystic, Puer, who convinces her to listen to her heart. If she is willing to follow him to discover her intuitivity, she will find her own path. So she does and finally Puer leaves her alone, in the company of his magic flying horse, named 'Silvery Horse' . So far, this story was given to me by a dear Italian philosopher. From here, Nuria's stories are flowing from my pencil into your pc - Nuria said Addio, Addio to Puer.
Sometimes mysterious messages are blowing in the wind. The little princess who decided to leave her warm family, her comfortable life and her father’s kingdom had received such a message in her heart.

Now that she had become a traveler, only accompanied by her loyal Silvery Horse, Nuria knew that she had made the right decision, although in the beginning she had feared a little discomfort. This way of life fulfilled her with happiness. Living in freedom was the best thing ever happened to her. And wasn’t life itself the best education one could get?

The princess met good and honest people, traveling around she learnt to discover new landscapes, to speak in many languages and to taste unknown meals.

In her memory she collected beautiful and rich experiences which made her turn into a wise woman to whom little children loved to come, asking her to tell them a story.

One day, when she rested a while under an ancient oak, a little boy approached to her. He looked funny with arms and feet too large for his body, round wondering blue eyes and light-brown curly hair.
‘Hello’, the little boy said, ‘who are you?’ The princess smiled gently and answered: ‘Hello little boy, my name is Nuria and I am traveling around together with my loyal horse. And who are you?’
The little boy only said: ‘Why’.
‘What why?’, the princess said, ‘I am asking for your name’. Again the little boy said ‘Why’.

Was this an answer or a question? The princess looked at her horse, as if he could give her advice but the horse was paying no attention at all. He was just grasping some fresh green grass.

So the princess decided that the boy had given an answer. ‘Aha, your name is Why. This is an interesting name.’ Why nodded deeply and said ‘Coca Cola Soda Soda’. Then he took place next to the princess and asked: ‘Why are you traveling?’ ‘Why are you riding on a silvery horse?’ ‘Why don’t you ask why my name is why’? ‘And why don’t you wear a blue dress?’

What was going on here? This little guy could ask more questions in a second than princess’ horse could eat oat. ‘Why do I hear this silence? Why don’t you talk to me anymore?’, Why continued.

Silvery Horse had finished his meal and sauntered towards his mistress. Now he joined the conversation. His warm soft lips whispered in her ear: ‘The one who does not know, and does not know that he does not know, is a fool – avoid him * The one who does not know and knows that he does not know, is a child – teach him * The one who knows, and not knows that he knows, is asleep – wake him * but the one who knows, and know that he knows, is a wise man – follow him ……* he had read this in a very old holy book.

‘Why am I asking questions all the time?’ Now the crystal clear voice of little Why rested.

‘Tell him’, Silvery Horse whispered and so the princess did. ‘You know, my dear Why, you are asking because you want to learn. You are discovering life and life is a mystery for most of us. I am still learning too. We are just little drops of water floating together in a mighty ocean. Beneath us there are powerful streams and rocky grounds that give way to our destination. That’s what I learned from the books in my father’s Royal Library.’
Again the child said very loudly: ‘Coca Cola Soda Soda!!! ‘Coca Cola Soda Soda!!!’ as if he could not say anything else when not having a new question.

The princess kissed little Why’s forehead. ‘It is time for me to go. I am following my soul and I have still a long way to go. You are on the right way, little Why, one day you might be a very wise man teaching others.’ But the boy did not answer. He had turned into his inner self thinking things over.

And princess? She galloped away on Silvery Horse, finding her new destination.
Coca Cola Soda Soda! ***************************************************************************
all under copyright by Vicky van der Hof

The Nuria Stories: An introduction



Many years ago, an Italian philosopher sent me a beautiful story as a birthday gift. It was a story about a wonderful little Principessa who wanted to break out from splendid isolation to find her own way in life. Under guidance of Mago Puer she travels from the land of the Orange Trees, up north, to the land of the Windmills.

This story inspired me to write about Nuria's adventures, sometimes my Italian friend added new stories as well (which may be published on his blog; if so, I will add the link for you).

If you are interested in tiny little stories about philosophical items, I invite you to follow the stories of Nuria. Coming up soon.