February 5th, 1987

Dear Jessica,

When I was going to school my teachers taught me how the United States of America came about. They taught me that without this wizard we would have very bad trouble, many people would be hurt or killed. Your teachers will be telling you the same thing in coming years. But it is not true. Don't believe it.

The truth is that about the time they told King George he was a humbug, grown-ups stopped believing in all the other wizards, too. Now, these men had been told that terrible things would happen if they did that, and they believed the lie just like grown-ups do today. They were afraid to let go of their humbugs. Then they were very surprised and happy when everything was just fine! There were no congressmen, no governors, no policemen, and no judges. Nobody ever teaches this history to children. If people knew they could get along without wizards a lot of humbugs would be out of a job.

So that no one would ever forget the truth about what happens when all man-made government is gone, these men wrote a letter called A Proclamation of the Colony of the Massachusetts's Bay. I put that in Lesson 1 so you can read it and know it really did happen.

Government is the word grown-ups use when they mean all the wizards they believe in both great and small, visible and invisible. Thomas Paine was alive then and he wrote about the abolishment of government, too. He was not afraid to live without government. He knew that government and all its wizards are humbugs. I put Thomas Paine's ideas in Lesson 1, also.

David Ramsey was alive then, too. He saw that people get along just fine without human government. He told us in his book that there is a real government which can be seen only when make-believe governments are gone. That is the government that each of us has in his heart and mind. The same government that Laura Wilder knew about. It is called the Kingdom of God in the Bible. Wizards do not like the Kingdom of God because it helps people stop believing in humbug rulers. It helps people stop playing Wizards of America.

In Russia the wizards are very mean to people who stop playing make-believe and live in the real world of God's kingdom. In Lesson Thirteen I'll tell you about some people in Russia called Doukhabors and what happened to them when they told the Czar he was a humbug. The same thing happens in Russia today, and very sadly, in America as well. A famous writer named Count Leo Tolstoy helped the Doukhabors leave Russia. It's a very interesting story.

Many of us have been put in jail many times for trying to live in the Kingdom of God and for telling the truth about wizards. But the last time they did not put me in jail. That story is in Lesson 11.

Say hello to your Dad and Mom, and Grandma Mary and Grandpa George. Bye for now!

February 6th 1987

Dear Jessica, Halley and Rachael,

I want to tell you a story about horses. I hope you will like the story. It is very exciting and it will teach you something about grown-ups who play Wizards of America. Here it is. I call the story,

Run Like The Wind

Once upon a time, far, far away there was a green and beautiful country. In that country were wide-open spaces of lovely green grass, waving in warm breezes under soft blue skies. Every afternoon there were showers to water the vast plains. In this country lived a race of horses who were strong and healthy, with shiny coats and clear eyes. They had all they needed to be happy.

One afternoon a young filly, which is a girl horse, was running like the wind through the fields of grass. Her four little hooves pounded out a steady rhythm on the ground. The air whistled past her ears. Her mane stretched out behind her as she dashed uphill and then down the other side. She ran and ran as free as the breeze, just bursting with the joy of being alive!

Then Jessita, for that was her name, came to the top of a hill, and, just a little out of breath, she stopped to rest. She had never been this far from her home pastures before. From where she stood she could see the river and a trail down below. On the trail were five horses. But they looked very strange, for on their backs they carried large bundles. And they looked very sad. Their heads were held low as they walked along dragging their hooves.

The first horse's bundle was not like the others it was taller and looked a little like a tree trunk. Wait! It wasn't a bundle at all. It was alive! The strange creature had a tiny head with no snout at all and two eyes right next to each other. How ugly! What was it doing on top of that horse? She stamped the ground nervously with her hoofs and whinnied to the horses. Six heads came up and six pair of eyes spotted her high above them. The strange creature became very excited. He started his horse running up the hill. One of the other horses called out, "Run! Run as fast as you can and as far as you can! Don't look back!"

Well, that seemed like very sound advice. Jessita spun around and in a flash she was running at top speed. She streaked homeward. She ran and ran and ran until she thought her lungs would burst.

Finally Jessita saw her family grazing peacefully off in the distance. The sight of them gave her new energy. In just a few more minutes she closed the distance between them. Oh, yes! There was Mom and Dad and her sisters, Hallita and Rachelita! In her excitement Jessita was going too fast. She put all her feet down and leaned way back. Too late! She slid right into Hallita and they both went tumbling to the ground.

Her mother, Deborita, exclaimed, "My word, Jessita you must be more careful. Whatever has gotten into you!"

But Jessita was too out of breath to answer. She simply struggled to her feet still frightened and a little shaken. She looked back the way she had come. With relief she saw no sign of the flat-faced creature riding a horse. Her father trotted over to her side.

"What is it Jessita dearest, you seem very frightened," said Ronaldo. She told him the whole story. Her father didn't say a word for a long time. He just stared off into the blue sky thoughtfully. Then he began to explain.

"Jessita, long before you were born your mother and I and all our families lived many weeks travel from here. It was a beautiful country just like this one. We were all very happy. Then the wizards came. The creature you saw riding on the horse was one of them. They are also called men. They captured all the horses and made slaves of them. That's why the horses you saw were carrying bundles. Only your mother and I managed to remain free. But we could do nothing to help. So we went far away. We hoped the wizards would never be able to find us. But now they have."

"Oh, Papa, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. Now the wizards know we are here. What can we do?" asked Jessita tearfully. "You mustn't blame yourself, little one. I suppose it was bound to happen someday," he said comfortingly. "We must leave this place. It is dangerous to stay here now. We will all graze this afternoon, sleep tonight, and then set out in the morning at first light. We must find a new country."

It was a beautiful sunset, the clouds all gold and magenta with rays of sun light beaming through. The moon was a silver crescent. Before long the younger girls were settled down and fast asleep. But Jessita still lay awake. She could hear her parents talking in whispers about where to go. Her mother said the wizards would never stop until all horses were made slaves. Her father said they had to try. Finally, Jessita fell into a fitful sleep.

In her dreams she was being chased by wizards. She tried to run but could not. It felt like she was in deep mud. Just before they caught her she woke with a start. It was very dark and very still, too still. She could not hear the normal sounds of the night animals. Jessita slowly stood up. Her ears turned forward and back trying to detect a mouse or a cricket. Nothing. An icy chill stabbed her heart. Something was very wrong. She whinnied softly to her parents but, being sound asleep, they didn't answer.

Jessita moved forward a few steps. Her legs felt like wood. She lowered her head and turned it from side to side trying to see in the wall of darkness. She sniffed the cool air. There was a strange odor. She took a few more cautious steps forward and stopped, very tense. The muscles in her legs trembled, her lips quivered slightly. She lowered her head, then quickly brought it back up. Leaning far forward she slowly stretched her neck out and sniffed again. "Sniff, Sniff, Sniff."

Then, a terrible scream split the night air. Oh, no! A net had been thrown over her! Rough hands were dragging her to the ground. The scream was her own! She bucked and struggled. But they had her. The commotion had roused the family. She heard her father yell, "Run, everyone run!"

Torches were lit. Jessita was pressed to the ground, trapped by the weight of many bodies. Now in the flickering light she could see the wizards as they tied fetters on her feet and a rope around her neck. She was loaded into a cart. A voice said, "The others got away, but we'll get them another time. Let's take this one back to the corral."

Far off in the distance, Jessita's family stopped to catch their breath. It was a wonder they hadn't gotten separated in the dark. Deborita wanted to go back, but Ronaldo thought they would only end up being captured themselves. Besides there was the two little girls to think of .

"What about your older brother?" asked Deborita. "Couldn't he help?""You mean Roberto? He was captured and found a way to escape, it's true. Stories are told that he now frees other horses. But he lives in the hills in our old country. It may take some time to find him.""Oh, Ronaldo, you must try, you must!"

And so Ronaldo set out that very day for the old country after finding a hidden valley for his little family. By traveling fast during the day and grazing at night he made good time. He avoided the main trails where he was likely to see wizards. In only twelve days he found Roberto. They were very glad to see one another. Roberto was living with a small herd of former slave horses who had freed themselves. They spent most of their time trying to free the others.

"But," Roberto said, "a strange thing has happened. The wizards have gotten control of the minds of horses. Horses that were once as free as the wind are now afraid to live outside of corrals. They have been taught to believe it is very dangerous on the open plains. The wizards have convinced them they will starve unless someone feeds them. When we open the gates to set them free none of them will come out! They believe that horses are only free in corrals. They tell us that we better get back in or we'll be sorry. No amount of reason will change their minds. So, horses carry heavy loads and give rides to wizards. Slaves do all the work and wizards get all the benefit. We must hurry to set Jessita free before they capture her mind as well as her body."

On the way back Roberto showed his brother how to open corral gates, but just as he had said, none of the horses would come out. Ronaldo could not quite get the knack of gate opening so he was very happy Roberto had agreed to come with him. He couldn't help but wonder, would Jessita refuse to come out, too?

Back at the corral Jessita was unloaded. The sun was up and it was a lovely morning. But Jessita was far too lonely and frightened to notice. One of the men said, "Get her started in horse school right away. We want to teach her to give allegiance to wizards. We want her to do everything we tell her. So we must get control of her mind. Horses are too big and strong for us to control their bodies alone."

Jessita missed her Mom and Dad very much. That night she cried herself to sleep. The next morning she started school with several other young horses. But they were not allowed to talk to one another. One of the wizards was their teacher. He said, "All of you raise your right hoof. Now say 'I pledge allegiance to the wizards of this green and beautiful country'".The other horses did it right away. Jessita didn't want to do it. It seemed silly. Then the man said, "All horses count to three." And all horses counted to three. Except Jessita. That's how it went all morning. Jessita was a refusenik.

At noon the young horses ate lunch. Afterwards, they walked into a field to romp. Jessita didn't know any of these horses so she just stood to one side. Soon a couple of horses came over to her. "You're new here aren't you," said one. "Yes," she answered. "Well, we don't like know-it-alls who won't do what they're told!" said the other. "You'll find none of the horses will be your friend if you won't obey the wizards because they feed us and take care of us," said the first. "The wizards have set you free and you're being very ungrateful." And they trotted off. Sure enough, none of the horses asked her to play.

Jessita was lonely and wanted the others to like her so badly. So after lunch she started doing what she was told. In a few days she was just like all the other slave horses. Three weeks slowly passed.

Ronaldo and Roberto at last arrived at the corral where Jessita was being held. They waited until all the wizards had left for the night. In the twilight Roberto lifted the latch on the gate and it swung open. Ronaldo spotted Jessita.

"Jessita!" he called, "Jessita, it is your Papa-dearest and your Uncle, Roberto. We have come to take you home!" "Father, Father, it is so good to see you!" she said. "But I dare not leave the corral, it is far to dangerous in the open and nothing to eat and these horses are my friends. Besides I've come to enjoy being free and I have very important work to do here." The other slaves muttered their agreement. They all crowded together as far as possible from the gate.

"You must help her get control of her own mind again." said Roberto. "You must help her see that the lies of the wizards are only meant to make a willing slave of her.""I will try."

Ronaldo trotted over to Jessita. He nuzzled her gently with his soft nose. "Little one, I want to help you. Those men have gotten control of your thoughts. They have made you give allegiance to them. They have made you believe things that are not true. Think back. Can't you remember when you and I and your mother and sisters lived happily on the plains? We were free. We were safe. We had plenty to eat. You loved to run like the wind. You can't do that in a corral or while carrying a heavy load."

Jessita listened and remembered. She was living in a different world now, a fantasy world created in her head with words by the men who captured her. They had force her to go to many classes and hear the same things over and over again until she could think of nothing else. "You must do whatever men tell you. You must obey the wizards. The wizards will protect you from a dangerous world. The wizards will feed you. The wizards will set you free! You are helpless without the wizards." Over and over these things were drummed into her head. Now she believed. Her belief held her captive better than any corral or rope ever could. Her father's words were calling up another world she dimly remembered. The real world. It was like a battle going on in her mind. The lies of men against the truth her father was telling her.

Run like the wind. Yes, she did remember that. Hoofs pounding the ground in time with all nature. Mane waving in the breeze. Breath coming in great gulps. Dashing across the landscape, the feel of grass rushing by. Yes, she did love to run. But it seemed so long ago, like a fairy tale. "Run like the wind, Jessita, come with us and we'll run like the wind!" her father said.

Her father's voice seemed to be coming from the end of a long tunnel, but it was enough. Jessita took a step forward and then another. " She has to get her mind free herself." said Roberto, "No one else can do it for her. She must want it more than anything else." Roberto notices how thin she was and the marks heavy straps had left on her back.

The other horses called to her, "Jessita, don't be craze! Don't leave, it's nice and safe here!" She hesitated a moment, uncertain; then she moved toward the gate slowly with her head held low.

Jessita was outside the gate without a wizard's permission for the first time since she was captured. It felt so odd, so strange. Her father and uncle broke into a trot. Jessita followed mechanically. She was on the way back. Her body was free again but it would be some time before her thoughts would be her own. Some time before the wizard's lies would stop echoing in her mind.

Roberto told his brother that the wizard's power was broken once a horse got his mind free of their control. "I don't know how I ever woke up, but I did." explained Roberto. "After that it was just a matter of watching how they closed the latch. I thank God who made this green and beautiful world for control of my own thoughts. Jessita is safe now."

Her mother and sisters were so very happy to see her, and she them. She knew the wizards couldn't trick her twice. No one should ever control another's mind. It is a very bad thing. Soon Jessita would be happy again and running like the wind. When that happened she wanted to find a way to set other horses free. There had to be a way, there just had to be...

February 7th, 1987

Dear Jessica,

In past letters I have told you about the great invisible wizards,the State of Alaska, the State of Idaho and the United States of America. I have told you about the lesser wizards which are really common men and humbugs, like kings, congressmen, presidents, judges and policemen. Now I want to tell you about another great invisible wizard called Demos.

Soon, your teachers will be telling you about democracy. When grown-ups vote on election day they are choosing who will get a turn at being wizards next. Every grown-up is allowed one vote which he can give to the humbug he likes best. Whichever humbug gets the most votes becomes the new wizard. This is called democracy. Democracy is an exciting part of the game grown-ups play called Wizards of America.

Democracy is a game itself. It was invented by the Greek people long, long time ago. Democracy means rule by the people. The Greeks did not think that God was King on earth and in heaven like Laura and I. They pretended that the people ruled on earth and a god named Zeus ruled in heaven. The Greek word for people is demo. The Greek word for rule is kratia. Put the two together and you have a fancy, high-sounding word, demo-kratia or democracy, which simply means the people have rejected God as king and are attempting to rule themselves. After a time the people becomes The People in hearts and minds, Demos-a god whose will is law. Lesson 6 has more about democracy.

When grown-ups make-believe about the State of Alaska and the United States of America, they also pretend that they are ruled by Demos. Remember, God wants to rule men through their hearts and minds. But when men are ruled by Demos, God can not rule them. God never forces men to let Him rule them. he didn't force the Israelites and He won't force us. If people want to be ruled by humbugs God will help them believe wizards are very real. That's what is happening today in our country.

Another great wizard you will hear about is the Constitution. The Constitution is an agreement, or covenant, between all the people and each individual. This is the paper that has all the rules about the game of Wizards of America. Whenever grown-ups have a question about how to play the game they go back and check the rules. The Constitution is old, but nowhere near as old as the Bible. The Constitution has rules meant to stop wizards from doing much they would like to do. But they just break the rules until a bigger wizard tells them to stop, if he ever does. The Bible has rules which forbid wizards altogether.

Many people think the Constitution of the United States is one of the greatest papers ever written. Some even think it was ordained by God. This is not really true. The Constitution establishes man's rule by rejecting God's rule just like all other human governments. Find the Constitution on the spectrum:

This is very important because if humbugs were allowed to control your mind and what you think then they would have control of what you do. You would be a slave. They could even make you think being a slave was really being free. This is exactly what teachers are doing to all first graders when they make them pledge allegiance to the Wizards of America. They are controlling first grader's minds. They have been hired to make all children think they must make-believe in the State of Alaska and the United States and obey humbugs. This is what happens when men don't want God for their king-they loose their freedom of thought.

There are two ways to get all the good things you need to be happy. You can work hard and earn them, or you can take them away from someone. Taking things away from someone who worked hard for them is called stealing. Stealing is bad. If you love other people as you love yourself you do not steal. Wizards have found out that it is much easier to steal from other grown-ups that to work hard for the things they need. One of the main reasons humbugs hire teachers and force children to go to school is so children can be taught that humbugs are wizards and that it is alright for wizards to steal. Then when children grow up they won't even think it is stealing when humbugs take things they worked hard for.

This is mind control. It is a very bad thing and against the rules of the Constitution. Children are never told this is not supposed to be done to them. Children trust teachers and think they have to let them control their minds or they will get in trouble. That's because children are never told about the rule against mind control. By the time children grow up and find out about the rule it is too late, their minds are already under control. But, I'm telling you now so you can take charge of your own mind. When you see stealing you'll know what it is.

Your mind is not under control yet, although your teachers are trying. Now you know about the rule against mind control. I wish someone had told me about it when I was in first grade. But all the grown-ups I knew cold not tell me because their minds were already controlled. They could think only they had been taught to think in school, or the thoughts they got from the T.V. or radio. Humbugs are afraid of people who have minds that are not controlled. If people have free minds they soon see that wizards are really humbugs. Find wizards on the spectrum of government:

February 8th, 1987

My Dearest Nieces,

Have you heard of Thomas Jefferson? About two hundred years ago he said: I have sworn upon the Alter of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. What he meant was that he thought it was a very bad thing for anyone's thoughts to be under the control of another. I feel the same way as Jefferson.

You girls have been thinking your own thoughts since you were born. With the birth of each boy or girl a new beginning for the world arises. Grown-ups know this very well. They want to keep all thoughts about new beginnings for the world out of your minds. They want the world they are comfortable with to go on and on forever, even though many, many men and women, boys and girls have been hurt or killed in that terrible world. To keep that terrible world going they must have new players for Wizards of America. Every boy and girl must play. Every boy and girl must have his mind controlled to stop new worlds from replacing this bad one.

Control of my mind was taken from me in first grade. It took me thirty years before I realized what my teachers had done to me. Now I can think my own thoughts again. Now I can see a new beginning for the world. I learned about this new beginning in the Bible. It is called the Kingdom of God. It can be called the New Covenant theocracy, too. The newest part of the Bible is called the New Testament. Testament is just another word for covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Theocracy means God's rule. If we agree with God that he should rule us rather than men, then we have entered God's New Covenant or the Kingdom of God. To do that we first have to leave the covenant we have made with men that I told you about in the last letter, the Constitution. The Constitution is an agreement that men should rule us.

Here in Idaho, a few friends and I have been living under this new agreement with God for three years. It gives us a much better world than the one our teachers made us live in. All over America other people are doing this, too.

Find my friends and I on the spectrum:

When they teach you about history, they teach you what to think about the world. Children trust grown-ups and especially teachers. Children think about the whole world just like they are taught to. Without even knowing it, children lose control of their own minds and thoughts. The thoughts they are taught just go 'round and 'round in their heads. They never have a chance to think about new beginnings for the world.

I hope these letters will help you think your own thoughts and stop grown-ups from controlling your mind. I hope you will think of new beginnings for the world, because the world can be a very much nicer place to live than grown-ups have made it. Grown-ups can now kill nearly everyone in the world in less than an hour. They may decide to do it. I hope you will find a new world to live in without make-believe, without wizards and nations and states. If enough of us stop making believe we can make a difference. It will not be easy. I hope you will decide to live free and just under the agreement with God rather than controlled and unjust under agreement with men.

See if you can find the position of most adults on the spectrum of government:

February 9th 1987

My Dearest Nieces,

I have another story for you. This one is about a fox whose favorite dinner was chickens. The story is really about people who act like foxes. I call this story:

Sammy the Fox was lying in the grass, being very still. The spring sun was warm on his slick red coat. He was watching seven chickens. His eyes followed every move they made. All afternoon Sammy had been in the grass creeping closer and closer to the little group of birds. Now he was almost close enough to rush out and grab one for supper.

There were big chickens and little chickens. Brown chickens and white ones. They all looked delicious to Sammy. But he had his heart set on a nice, fat red hen who was slowly pecking the ground nearer and nearer to his hiding spot in the grass.

Another foot closer should be enough Sammy thought. The fat hen turned her head sideways to look at a bug. She quickly bent to pick it up in her beak. Then, she took a slow step toward Sammy. She had no idea Sammy was so very close. She was watching for bugs, not foxes.

Sammy was becoming very excited. He could almost taste the drumsticks. He gathered his rear feet under him a little better, moving them around for a good grip on the ground. He tensed every muscle in his body. His eyes were glued to the hen. He strained forward. One more step should be close enough. Then, his empty stomach growled.

All the chickens stopped what they were doing. They all looked at the grass where Sammy was hiding. They cocked their heads this way and that, listening, puzzled by the unfamiliar sound, but ready for anything.

Sammy realized it was now or never. The nice, fat chicken was not really close enough yet. But in another moment the whole flock might take wing. All at once he sprang forward, a blur of red fur! He dove for the fat hen. There was a great deal of chicken cackling and squawking. Wings beat the air frantically. Dust hid everything for a few moments.

When the air cleared there was Sammy stretched out on the ground clutching one, lone tail feather. Not a chicken was anywhere in sight. Sammy just lay still with his eyes tightly closed, gritting his teeth. No chicken tonight he thought. In fact, he couldn't remember when his last chicken dinner was.

Sammy started for home, his head hung low to the ground and his tail dragging. Maybe he'd just have a peanut butter sandwich instead. There had to be an easier way to catch chickens. All the way home he thought about it. There must be someway he could have all the chickens he wanted. He thought so hard that he missed his turn and ended up at the beaver pond.

He watched the beavers swimming back and forth to shore for a while. They were cutting and storing branches under water for the coming winter. Beavers didn't have to leave their pond in winter to eat. They planned ahead. This seemed like a very important idea to Sammy, but he couldn't quite tell why. There was something the same about bark and chickens. But what was it?

Later that night Sammy lay sleeping, his head full of dreams. He dreamed of chickens and chicks. He dreamed of beavers and branches. He dreamed of fried chicken, chicken soup and chicken sandwiches. He dreamed of a thing no one had ever thought of before, something called the State! When he woke in the morning the answer to the chicken problem was right there in his head! Store chickens like beavers store branches. He quickly wrote it down on a note pad so the wouldn't forget. There were six steps needed for all the chicken he could ever want.

That very morning, before the sun was high as the big pine tree at the edge of the field, Sammy was well started on step one. He was building a school house. It was to be larger than any other building in the valley. Which wasn't hard since all the rest were hollow trees and burrows dug in the ground. Sammy wanted it to be very solid and important looking. By three o'clock that afternoon he was finished. And it was beautiful! Really very impressive!

In step two Sammy had to change his image with the chickens. Instead of being afraid of him, the chickens must trust him. Instead of running away, they must be glad to see him. Sammy bought a fine new jacket and a Derby hat. He took voice lessons and learned to talk with authority in a solemn voice that inspired confidence. He slicked his hair back and sported a fine pair of spectacles. Sammy looked very trustworthy and educated. In fact the change was so great that when he chanced to meet his old friend Willy the Weasle along the way, Willy did not even know him!

Next, Sammy spent several days writing a book. It was big and heavy and every bit as important looking as the school house and Sammy himself. On its front cover was a lovely gold lettering: How to Serve the Flock. Writing this book was step three.

Sammy knew step four was the hardest part of his plan. Now he must approach the chickens and convince them of his good intentions. He located the flock under the grape arbor taking a nap in the drowsy warmth of the afternoon. Bees were buzzing at nearby blossoms. A few puffy clouds floated in the blue sky. Altogether it was a very pleasant time of day. With his new book under his arm and his best smile on his face, Sammy walked over to David the wise, old rooster. If he could fool David, he felt certain he could fool the other chickens as well. Sammy cleared his throat and waited politely to be noticed.

After some moments, David opened one eye and looked Sammy over from head to toe. Not recognizing him David said, "Good afternoon, Sir. Is there something I can do for you?"

"My name is Samuel and, actually, it's what I can do for you and the good of all chickens that brings me here on such a fine afternoon," said Sammy with a dramatic sweep of his arm that took in the peaceful landscape. "I see," said David who still had only one eye open, "What, exactly, have you in mind?"

"Well, it is my fondest hope to improve the lot of chickens. To that end I have recently built a very fine school house. I am now offering a free education to every chick," Sammy said brightly, ending with a slight bow of his head and a truly dazzling grin. David considered this for a moment, then replied, "Chickens have gotten along without education since the world began. What need have we of your education?" David's open eye closed halfway.

Sammy was ready for this question. But just then the fat red hen caught his eye. He nearly rushed to grab her and run off! But that would ruin his plans. Sammy struggled for control, knowing if he could be patient he'd never have to chase after chickens again.

"You have the wisdom of great age," Sammy told David with conviction, "but young chicks are foolish and easily fall prey to hawks, owls and foxes. It is my aim to educate them against these and other dangers. They shall also be taught reading, writing and arithmetic. But most important, they must learn about the new idea that has come into the world, the idea of the State. Be assured that I have great love for all chickens." Which was very true, indeed, thought Sammy, especially when served with bread hot from the oven and lots of butter!

He continued slyly, "My dearest wish is to obey the State by serving chickens morning, noon and night. This book here under my arm is my guide. As you can see its title is, 'How to Serve the Flock'." Sammy displayed his book with some pride, but was careful not to let anyone look inside.

By now a crowd had gathered around David and Sammy. There were approving oohs and aahs as they admired the handsome book. This well dressed gentleman had the best interest of chickens at heart. That made them want to trust him. David could see that the hens were eager to send their chicks to the new school house. At the very leaast it would be like a free baby-sitter.

So David said to Sammy, "Very well, Sa muel my friend. We shall send our chicks to your school starting first thing tomorrow morning. And we thank you very kindly. We shall all enjoy learning about this new thing called the State and what it means for us."

This was almost too easy thought Sammy. He was so excited! Chickens, chickens, lovely chickens coming to him on their own! Had there ever been a fox half as clever as he? He bid David and the flock good day with a tip of his hat as he hurried for home happily hopping from one foot to another.

Now for the next step in his plan, number five. Sammy took five pounds of flour from the flour bin and mixed it with enough water to make a paste. Then he gathered all his old newspapers and his paint set. He fashioned a giant, hollow papier-mache chicken head. Its cold eyes had no mercy in them. Its cruel beak could be made to move like it was talking. Sammy painted it in blue and white with blood red comb and wattles. The overall effect was very frightening. It even scared Sammy himself when the light was just right.

Bright and early the next morning Sammy was sitting on a stool in the front left corner of the classroom as all the little chicks came in. They peeped and cheeped and chattered at one another as they each found a desk to sit at. Their mothers had instructed them to obey Sammy and not to make trouble. This first day of school was the most exciting thing ever!

At exactly nine o'chock the bell rang. The peeping and cheeping and chattering continued without a pause. Suddenly, Sammy rose to his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, "QUIET!" Rulers and pencils and notebook paper went flying in all directions. Silence fell over the room. Sammy glared sternly at each chick in turn.

Sammy knew that if these chicks were ever going to serve the State he must condition them at an early age never to challenge authority. He said in clear precise words, "Sit down, face the front and fold both hands on top of your desk. I have never in my life seen such a rude and undisciplined class. In the future you will enter this room quietly, take your seat and wait for class to begin. Are there any questions?"

Any questions? Why, the chicks had never been spoken to in this manner by anyone. They could not even think let alone come up with a question. They stared fearfully at Sammy and waited.

"Good. Then we will begin the school day with the pledge of allegiance. All rise, stand beside your desk and place your right wing over your heart." Then Sammy pulled the curtains over the window making the room dark. He opened a panel high on the front wall with a lever under his desk. He turned on a light mounted on the ceiling. As if floating in mid-air, there was the giant chicken head! The effect was terrifying. The young chicks were afraid.

"Now, repeat after me...I pledge allegiance..." Sammy paused to give the chicks time to mumble, "I pledge allegiance," then he said, "...to the Great Chicken State." After the chicks repeated this last part Sammy reached under his desk to move another lever that made the giant chicken beak go up and down as if it were talking. At the same time he spoke in his most solemn voice, "I am the Great Chicken State and I will tell you what to think and what to do. You must obey me in all things. Do you understand?"

It seemed just like the giant chicken head was speaking. All the chicks answered, "Yes". They were vey impressed. Quickly Sammy turned the light out, closed the panel over the chicken head and opened the curtains. His trick had worked perfectly. This whole generation of chickens would believe in the State that he had made up with his imagination!

None of the chicks knew exactly what the Chicken State was, but it was clearly like a very, very large rooster, very powerful and scary. Being so young and so easily tricked the chicks believed in the Great Chicken State from that very first day. Sammy almost believed, too, even though he made it up as part of his plan to get all the chicken dinners he could!

Sammy spent the rest of the morning teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. As might be expected, after seeing the Great Chicken State nothing else could make much of an impression on such tender minds. At noon the chicks were sent home for the day. They told their mothers all about the Great Chicken State. Soon, all the flock was gathered around David, the wise, old rooster to hear his opinion of these new things.

David had no idea what the Great Chicken State might be. It sounded to him like some kind of a god. Nonetheless, he did not want to appear uneducated, so he said, "Our good friend has offered to teach the chicks at no cost. This has left us free all morning to do whatever we like. His only desire is to serve the State and us. It would be ungrateful to question the pledge of allegiance to the Great Chicken State. It is plainly chickenish and, I'm sure, perfectly alright." But he wasn't really sure. In fact, he was beginning to be a little suspicious of Samuel and his school.

And so, the chicks attended classes all summer as they grew into young chickens. Every morning, rain or shine, they pledged allegiance to the frightening chicken head that represented the state. By the end of the summer they had learned that the Chicken State was a being superior to all chickens. They learned that the State was sovereign, which simply meant one must do whatever the State said. They were taught that the State could protect them. And Sammy greatly exaggerated the danger from hawks, owls and foxes which made everyone eager to believe in so powerful a being.

But they never learned that the Great Chicken State was only paper-mache and that it was really Sammy Fox speaking. They never learned that Sammy himself had made up the idea of the State out of his own head to get more chickens. It was about this time that the flock began calling Sammy, Uncle Sam.

At last it was time for the sixth and final step of his plan. On the last morning of school the Great Chicken State appeared as usual. All was darkness, except for the head. Sammy made the beak move by working the lever back and forth.

In a deep, solemn voice that sent chills dodwn the back of each chicken, the Great Chicken State spoke, "Your education is now complete. I have graciously given you this education without cost. Now, you must be prepared to make a sacrifice for the State. The State can only protect you if you protect it. The State is in great danger from hawks and owls and foxes. Its enemies seek to destroy it. You may be called upon to give your lives in its defense. This is your highest and most sacred duty. Go home now. Say farewell to your parents. Put all your affairs in order. Many of you will never see tomorrow, but you will be heros. Come back to the school at sunset. Do all that Uncle Sam tells you."

The giant chicken head disappeared as the light blinked out. The chickens filed out of the classroom with chests puffed up and eyes filled with tears. They were feeling very patriotic and very proud to be able to do something for the State. Perfect, Sammy thought, just perfect!

When the last chicken had left, Sammy rushed to the back room of the school house and took off his disguise. He turned the walk-in freezer to high. He moved the butcher block to the middle of the room. He bean to heat a huge kettle of water and arrange the chicken-sized styrofoam trays. He stretched up high to the top shelf and took down the clear plastic shrink-wrap. He would make packages just like at the supermarket.

It would take him the rest of the afternoon to get ready for so large a group of poultry. Sammy rubbed his hands together with real pleasure at the thought. He would take only enough to last until this time next year, leaving the rest to make more cickens. Was there ever a fox half so clever as he? Sammy chuckled and began to hum little tune as he sharpened the cleaver and butcher knife.

David, the wise, old rooster, listened as the young chickens repeated all the Great Chicken State had said. How could the State be in danger if it was only an idea? The younger generation was about to sacrifice their lives for a new idea! "This is nonsense", David thought to himself. It was time he paid a little visit to Samuel's school.

As David walked up the front steps everything seemed to be deserted. He opened the door and poked his head in. He noticed all the desks set neatly in rows. In the mid-day sun it was becoming a little too warm. David called out, "Hello, anybody here?" His voice echoed around the empty room. There was no answer. He walked to the front of the room and sat down in Samuel's chair. He swiveled side to side and back and forth. It squeaked a little but was comfortable. David noticed several levers under the desk. He looked around quickly. Samuel could return at any moment.

David pulled the nearest lever. There was a rolling sound behind him. He turned and looked up. There was the Great Chicken State staring down at him! He jumped straight into the air and came down on the floor in front of Samuel's desk with his wings over his eyes. He waited several minutes, but nothing happened. Slowly, he peaked over the edge of the desk with one eye. The huge head just stared at him. David was still afraid, but he stood on the desk to get a closer look. He reached up very carefully and tapped the big beak. Paper-mache!

Why, the Great Chicken State is nothing but a great fraud, thought David. This huge chicken head is Samuel's way of making his idea of the State seem real! Elephants seem real even though you've only seen them in pictures. Both elephants and the State are very big and powerful, but only elephants are real.

Why would Samuel go to so much trouble to make chickens believe a lie? With one feather beside his beak, David ws deep in thought when his gaze fell upon Samuel's book shelf. There was the handsome book, "How to Serve the Flock". He removed it from the shelf and placed it on the desk. It fell open to the middle. David read the words, "Spicy Southern Fried Chicken". Why, this is a recipe, he thought. He flipped through a dozen more pages. Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Under Glass, Chicken Burgers. This is a cookbook for chickens!

David had a very big lump in his throat and a sinking feeling in his stomach. Suddenly, someone called out, "Oops!", followed by the sound of a plate crashing to the floor. David froze in position. He didn't move even a pen feather. Someone was here.

Turning slowly, he noticed the door to the back room was ajar. Very carefully he tip-toed over to the door. He looked in through the crack and saw the freezer, boiling water on the stove, the butcher block, the styrofoam trays, shrinkwrap, a stack of plates and silverware. And kneeling down to clean up a broken plate, his bushy tail sticking up in the air, was Sammy the Fox! David realized that Samuel the teacher, good, old Uncle Sam, was none other than their old enemy, Sammy the Fox. "How to Serve the Flock", indeed! He saw the whole evil plan.

Well, David had a plan of his own. As quietly as possible he pulled the giant head from its cabinet in the front wall. He was careful to close the sliding panel. The only way to carry it was to get inside. David found he could easily see where he was going through the beak. He could work the beak up and down, too. So, with the handsome book under his arm and completely hidden from sight under the giant chicken head, David hurried home.

Imagine how startled all the chickens were to see a giant chicken head floating down the path toward them. The young chickens that had spent the summer in school quickly lined up in rows and stood still with their right wings over their hearts. They stared straight ahead with eyes wide open. The older chickens huddled around in small groups not knowing what to expect next. Then, the Great Chicken State began to speak. "Hear me all you chickens! You have been very silly. There is no Chicken State, only chickens who have been taught by Samuel to believe in the State. You do not have to sacrifice yourself for the State. Uncle Sam the teacher is really Sammy the Fox." All in one motion, David threw off the giant chicken head and shouted, "And the Great Chicken State is nothing but newspaper, flour and imagination!"

David showed the flock the "How to Serve the Flock" book. They could easily see it was really a cookbook. Sammy loved chickens alright, he loved to eat them! Even so, it took the rest of the afternoon to convice the educated chickens that the entire business of the State was a lie and a trick meant to put them on Sammy's dinner table. When they all understood and had gotten over their embarrassment at being so silly, David said, "Here's what I think we should do with our friend Sammy." The he told them his plan.

Right at sunset the young chickens filed into the classroom just like nothing had happened. There was Sammy dressed in his fine clothes with a big grin on his face. He said, "Allright class, we will now say the pledge of allegiance one last time. Look around at your classmates, by tommorrow two out of three of you will have made the ultimate sacrifice for the State, your very lives!"

The room plunged into darkness as the curtain closed out the last of twilight. Sammy pulled the lever that slid the panel back exposing the giant chicken head. He flipped on the spot light as he began to move the beak lever back and forth. Unaware that the head had been removed earlier, Sammy said in his deep-est, most solemn voice, "The rest of you will wait here quietly as the first row goes into the back room with Samuel." Someone snickered. Sammy became very angry. "Who was that,who was that?!", he cried.

Then everyone began to giggle as they looked up at the front wall. Sammy turned to look, too. There in the cabinet where the giant chickenhead should have been was David the wise, old rooster making the funniest funny faces you ever saw!

"Grab him!" squawked David. "Turn on the lights." David hopped down to the desk and then to the floor. "Bring him into the back room. Set him here on the butcher block," he said as he tested the edge of the butcher knife with a primary feather. David turned to Sammy and said, "You intended to butcher dozens of chickens. It would be no more than right and just if we act in self-defense." Sammy's beady eyes filled with terror as he realized David was quite correct.

"Billy the Beaver will decide what is to be done with you", said David. Sammy saw Billy standing near the stack of plates. "First, I would like to ask you a few questions. Did you make the giant chicken head?""Yes," said Sammy.

"And did you make up the idea of the State?""Yes, I did that, too. The State is only make-believe," answered Sammy.

"Tell us why you made up such a dangerous idea.""Well," said Sammy, "I figured if I could teach the chicks to believe in the State while they were young, then when they grew up they could never question it. Whatever I told them to do in the name of the State they would do. It's a form of mind control. And it was working fine until you found out."

David turned to Billy and asked, "What should be done with him?"

Billy the Beaver, who had two very big front teeth, scratched his chin for a moment and then said with a funny whistle to his voice,"Well, what Sh-shammy had in mind for these chickens merits a great punishment." Sammy began to look quite worried. His eyes shifted rapidly from side to side. "But," continued Billy, "as we all know mercy is very important as well. Sh-shammy, will you promise never to teach this dreadful idea of the State or try to control the minds of chickens or try to eat them again?""Yes, I see that it was wrong and I promise," said Sammy.

"Good," said Billy. "We wish you no harm. I will give you a choice. You may leave the valley or you may join the flock as a guard against hawks and owls and other foxes. They all take care of one another and you will have as much freshly baked bread with butter and jam as you can eat. What do you say?" David had suggested to Billy earlier as a fair and friendly solution.

Sammy was very relieved to hear they weren't going to punish him, but he was ashamed for what he did. He gratefully accepted the offer to join the flock. After all there was one thing he liked as well as chicken, and that was freshly baked bread!

And so, from that day on Sammy was as good as his word. He protected the chickens and they invited him into their homes for lovely meals. Sammy found a mate and soon had his own family of furry little kits. Together they lived in peace and harmony in the beautiful, green valley. The school was used as a meeting house. And no one ever thought about the State again!

Dear Jessica, Halley and Rachael,

Now you have finished the letters, but you still don't have all the information that you'll need to live your life with a free mind and spirit. Here is a series of lessons for you to study when you are older, maybe ten or twelve. These lessons are meant to give you girls more information about the ideas you first read for young children. Adults use big words that children don't really understand. Your Mom and Dad can read them very well, maybe they will help you understand them. I'm passing on to you my ideas and the ideas of people who lived many years ago. Learning about these ideas will help you think your own thoughts and find a new and kinder world. I hope you will study these thoughts very carefully and learn them well. After you have read them we can talk about them if you like.

Love,

Uncle Bob