the raven based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe jess
			It was a murky, gloomy night and I was wearily poring over a strange old book.  While reading this unusual text I was almost drifiting off into fitful slumber when, suddenly, there was a soft, eerie tapping on the door.  I said to myself, "It's probably just a late visitor."       This was in December, that cold, bleak month when the world is dead and the sky a uniform grey.  But this December was bleaker than usual, for the one person who could bring light into that dull time, the brightest star in the galaxy of my life, was gone.  In an attempt to forget my woes I was reading.  My books seemed to be all I had left.       As I sat, focusing intently on the strange noise, a chill ran down my spine.  The room seemed to get even colder and darker, if that was possible.  But it was just a late visitor at the door, wasn't it?  Nothing to be afraid of.       My confidence reagained, I moved towards the door.  I pulled it open, muttering excuses for taking so long.       There was no-one there.       Dread crept into my troubled mind.  I do not know how long I stood there, gazing into the inky blackness, but I could not tear myself away.  My head was filled with ridiculous notions, and it was one of these that made me utter a shispered name, the name of someone dear to me, the name of someone no longer in the land of the living: "Lenore?"       For a moment there was an unbearable silence, then suddenly the wind started up, rushing through the trees and bearing a faint echo of my whisper.       Unnerved, I quickly shut the door.  My heart was beating fast and I was findint it difficult to walk.  Slowly I sat down, sinking gently into the comforting armchair.  It was stillw arm, but did not do much to calm my shattered nerves.  With shaking hands I lifted the book from the table.       'Tap tap.' I froze.  'Tap tap tap.' I looked up, scanning the room.  'Tap Tap.' The window, it was coming from the window.  'Tap.' I made up my mind.  'Tap.' I was going to open the window.       Determination drowned my fears.  I walked over to the window, flung it open and the tapping stopped.  My heart, which had calmed when I made my decision, now started to pound again.  The silence seemed filled with the beating and my chest felt as if it would explode.       In through the window stepped a creature that looked as if it had been taken from a legend, a fantasy story, something unreal.  It was a huge, jet black raven with piercing eyes.  Proudly he stepped, and indeed he was a magnificent beast, but his expression was cold and I am willing to bet his heart was colder.       The raven spread his elegant wings and, without even a glance at me, flew and landed on the bust of Pallas above my door.       Looking at this stern bird I found myself smiling.  I had expected to find a mischievous spirit or a restless ghost, not a silly, proud, raven.  Neverthelss, this was a very mysterious bird and had a certain air of evil.  Curious, I asked what his name was, not really expecting an answer.  But he did reply.  His voice came out in a harsh, unpleasant croak.  "Nevermore," he said.       I was very surprised indeed to hear him speak.  He seemed almost intelligent, but 'nevermore' could not be his name.  It was just a random word, irrelevant to the question.  The creature gave no further answer and the room fell silent again.       I returned to my chair and sat looking at the raven.  Darkness seemed to be attracted to him and the light from the fireplace refused to enter that part of the room.  All I could see of this bird of darkness was his eyes, and such stern eyes they were too.  Their piercing gaze was focused on me, so I turned away, not daring to show disrespect to such an awe-inspiring beast.       He showed no signs of moving, but I was sure my dark companion would leave soon.  I voiced my thoughts, and to my surprise he said something.  The exact word he had croaked before -- "nevermore."       For a moment I was taken aback.  This reply was surprisingly apt.  But then my common sense took over and I thought clearly again.  This was the only word he knew.  Its aptness was simply coincidence, nothing more.       I said none of this aloud, for if this raven was intelligent then he must not know my thoughts.  Still he stared at me and I had a feelling that he was drilling into my very soul.       Then my thoughts drifted back to Lenore.  For a moment the raven was forgotten, replaced by an overwhelming sadness and a pain in my heart.  Suddenly I snapped back to the present.  An idea filled my head.  This raven had been sent by God to help me forget dear Lenore!  To give me something else to think about and so ease my grief.  I wished he would go and leave me to my mourning.  This I yelled in anger in the hope that this bird would go.       But from that black corner an unseen beak cried the unwanted reply: "Nevermore!"       My anger turned to despair.  Would this sinister bird ever go or would he continue to tortue me until my death?       Unable to keep my thoughts from straying back to my lost love, I wondered if this bird knew whether Lenore had been accepted into Heaven.  This I asked him and his reply made me leap up in anger, for it was "nevermore."       Once more I yelled,ordering the raven to leave my home and lift the shadow which now encased it, but to no avail.  He did not flinch at the loathing tone of my raised voice and he did not blink his heartless eyes.       He is still there.       Nothing I say or do has any effect on him, but he does not say or do anything yet has a huge effect on me.       He watches me constantly.       His eyes have not softened, nor has the evil glint gone from them.  They continue to bore into me, seeing everything --my thoughts, my feelings.
	s t o r i e s