| Not being possessed by the relentless drive of high achievers, I have continued writing for two reasons: I liked my first book and wanted to write a better one, and most importantly, I have been constantly encouraged. My encouragers I thank from the depth of my heart. |
| I am grateful to my son Vojta for carrying my book with him to faraway windsurfing races, and to my daughter Tereza for careful editing of each story. And special thanks and love to Sasha, my girl, who was without the slightest doubt that I would be published again, and designed the beautiful cover for this book. She actually helped me to travel, alone and often, to distant and suspicious destinations. |
| I'd like to express my gratitude to those friends who gave me hope by expressing their liking of my fables and plots: Jakub Tolar, Jan and Karla Triska, Marilyn Gorlin, Jiri Ruzicka, Patricia Hampl, Wally Burgdorf, Bob Buhrer, Esther Wattenberg, Jana Knitlova, Anezi Okoro, Yuichi Seki, Bob Shestak, many others, and the gentle friends of my kids. |
| Also it should be noted that the following stories contained in this volume have been published elsewhere: |
| "Hearts" in Blue Jacket, Niigata, Japan, 1996. |
| "On Brainwaves of Memory" in Full Circle Nineteen, anthology by Guild Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1998. |
| "The Killing of He-Who-Is-Without-Shadow" in Exploration 98, University of Alaska Press, Juneau, Alaska, 1998. |
| "African Apology" in Rag Mag, Black Hat Press, Goodhue, Minnesota, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1999. |
| "Billy's Last Smoke" in Notre Dame Review, No. 9, 2000. |
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The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984.