Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

Glenn Ringtved

Danish Author

"In the quiet, the children could hear their grandmother upstairs, breathing with the same raspy breaths as the figure at the table. They knew Death had come for her and that time was short."

"It is the same with life and death? What would life be worth if there were no death? Who would enjoy the sun if it never rained? Who would yearn for the day if there were no night?"

"Moments later, the children heard the upstairs window open. Then, in a voice somewhere between a cry and a whisper, Death said, ?Fly, Soul. Fly, fly away.?"

"The curtains were blowing in the gentle morning breeze. Looking at the children, Death said quietly, ?Cry, Heart, but never break. Let your tears of grief and sadness help begin new life.? Then he was gone."

"Some people say Death?s heart is as dead and black as a piece of coal, but that is not true. Beneath his inky cloak, Death?s heart is as red as the most beautiful sunset and beats with a great love of life."

"They were bright and sunny and their days were full of happiness. The only shadow was their sense that something was missing. They didn?t know what, but they felt they couldn?t fully enjoy their happiness."