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One year ago on Round and Square (26 May 2012)—Primary Sources: Education and Acculturation (f)Two years ago on Round and Square (26 May 2011)—Le Tour de la France (1)
[a] Lederpug RF |
What is the use of running when you are on the wrong road?
—Bavarian Proverb
No worries, though—my name is Lederhosen Pug, and I know the way (知道).
And the way today runs straight through Bavarian legend. Grandpa Pug used to tell the story of the Smith of Kochel.
Hearing the stories of his heroics in the late-seventeenth century (he broke down the gates of Belgrade with only an iron pipe, as I remember it as a pug-pup), I was filled with Bavarian pug-pride. On top of it all, the great Smith of Kochel refused all awards. Now that is a hero, and he has a monument devoted to him, and I have visited it several times.
When I learned that he was seventy years old, but strong as several Bavarian oxen, I was astonished. Nothing astonished me more, though (including learning that Santa Claus was a mere figment) than learning that the smith probably never lived, but was a kind of heroic composite. I "get" that all now, but oh, how he figured in my puphood ambitions.
Even today, I yearn for a Smith of Kochel when times get tough.
Inspired Pug.
And the way today runs straight through Bavarian legend. Grandpa Pug used to tell the story of the Smith of Kochel.
[b] Strongsmith RF |
Hearing the stories of his heroics in the late-seventeenth century (he broke down the gates of Belgrade with only an iron pipe, as I remember it as a pug-pup), I was filled with Bavarian pug-pride. On top of it all, the great Smith of Kochel refused all awards. Now that is a hero, and he has a monument devoted to him, and I have visited it several times.
When I learned that he was seventy years old, but strong as several Bavarian oxen, I was astonished. Nothing astonished me more, though (including learning that Santa Claus was a mere figment) than learning that the smith probably never lived, but was a kind of heroic composite. I "get" that all now, but oh, how he figured in my puphood ambitions.
Even today, I yearn for a Smith of Kochel when times get tough.
Inspired Pug.
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