Adventures of Piers Surcastle and the Blue Scythe
One World—Two Realities
by
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The short stories are about the dreams of young Piers Surcastle and how in his dreams he met a superhero called the Blue Scythe, pronounced “Sigh” for reasons unknown to us mortals. Their delightful friendship lasted for a full four years in the early 1950s, beginning when Piers was eight. The many conversations they shared brought laughter, playfulness and boundless creativity in happy times. When Piers was sad or uncertain about things that were happening to or around him, the Blue Scythe would offer healing words and comforting advice.
When he was with his mythical superhero, whom he always called Scythe, Piers’ imagination would soar. His new larger-than-life companion didn’t exist just for the day, or for yesterday, or even for tomorrow. His world had no limits. The Blue Scythe’s reality was beyond what humans could see or understand, blurring the lines between the real and the imagined.
Their growing friendship couldn’t be any better for a boy who longed for such a heroic companion. After all, his own father spent very little time with him, preferring to work long hours at the Simmons Manufacturing Plant in Kingsbury as a foreman, and when not there, spending more time with friends from the plant than with his son. Piers felt the hurt of not having a dad who enjoyed being with him; someone easy to admire and trust.
His mom tried to pick up the slack. She created a warm, inviting environment for Piers and his sister Sara, who was two years older, and for their friends. She was clearly the “rock”, the person the two kids always turned to for help and reassurance. As Piers got older, his father was mostly absent, an increasingly distant member of the household.
So, when the two realities of the Blue Scythe and Piers touched, the bond that was created opened a whole new world to Piers. Sometimes it was as the Scythe’s “personal representative” on earth, other times, he simply followed his super hero’s steady and straight-on advice. This enduring relationship deeply enriched and expanded Piers’ world.
These 10 short stories tell of a journey of a memorable heroic character and his young admirer, who yearns to find what is good and meaningful in life.
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About the Book
The stories in this book involve the experiences of Piers Surcastle and how, in his dreams, he met a superhero called the Blue Scythe. Their special friendship lasted for four years in the early 1950s, beginning when Piers was eight. The many conversations they shared brought laughter, playfulness and boundless creativity to Piers’ life. When he was with his mythical superhero, Piers’ imagination would soar. His larger-than-life companion didn’t exist just for the day, or for yesterday, or even for tomorrow. His world had no limits. The Blue Scythe’s reality was beyond what humans could see or understand, blurring the lines between the real and the imagined. Their growing friendship couldn’t have been any better for a boy who longed for such companionship. The bond they created opened a whole new world to Piers. Sometimes it was as the Blue Scythe’s “personal representative” on earth. Other times, he simply followed his superhero’s steady and wise advice. Their story presents situations that are part of a child’s everyday world---going to school, spending time with friends, helping neighbors, dealing with bullies, and adjusting to loss.
About the Author
When he was a boy, Ed Winders loved reading comic books about superheroes, especially Superman. The stories in this book show how, in meeting the Blue Scythe in a dream, the world of his imagination became as meaningful as the “real life” he experienced every day.
Throughout his adult life, Ed shared the Blue Scythe stories with his children, other family members, and with friends. Now, he has put the stories in writing, so others can enjoy them as well.