"I shot an arrow in the air ..."

Thank you for your very deep contribution, Savypat. You have doubled the length of Longfellow, I believe.

My son taught me to enjoy each moment because who knows when he may not be here to enjoy. Good advice!

When I was small, I don't remember ever seeing a helium balloon. Cartoon pictures sometimes showed balloons conventionally floating in the air (and we were familiar with the story of Pooh and the Honey Tree) but I don't remember when I first saw a balloon that really was lighter than air. I do remember the first helium balloon that my son had. He was about a year or so old and had had ordinary balloons before. His complete amazement at a balloon that disappeared when he let go is something I shall never forget!

If you can remember any of the messages that were sent, it would be great if you could post them here. It sounds a very inspirational idea. I wonder where those messages fell to earth!

Well, the one remember was written by me and it was written in our mother tongue. It was : Hum do Hamare do! It stands for we are two in family and we should have only two kids, no more than that!

Really, oh I didn't know that but luckiley for us that we live some 6-700 km away from sea!

Lucky you, Psycho! Some people are like that. The principle of 'Paying Forward' is really a lot older than 'The Secret' (I believe that was the book it appeared in).

You seem to be reasonably happy to meet (or rather, talk with) people on the Internet. There is not much difference, really, except that, I suppose, we talk from behind a screen and can always walk away relatively unknown. Just as in real life, there is good and bad. It is well to welcome the good and to be wary but not afraid of the bad.

I have a feeling that a message in a bottle in the Grand Union would not get very far (and would probably be smashed by kids with stones). "I shot an arrow in the air, It came to earth, I know not where. My son, of course, was not amused: His lunch-time fruit was slightly bruised" It would be telling, of course, whose version that was

An 'envelope pudding' is commonly known as a pasty in the West of England and a 'pitta', 'pocadillo' and 'pakora' in other parts of the world. That leaves us with an 'electric giraffe', surely some kind of automaton for reaching things on top shelves. As I buzz around my local supermarket in my electric wheelchair (which I don't possess or need yet) with it's controllable arm attachment to grab things off shelves that are too high (or too low) for me, I shall always remember your random 'message' and call my invention the EEPG. The good thing about 'random' messages is that they sort out the wheat from the chaff (or the sheep from the goats or the monkeys from the parrots). Most will say "That is just rubbish!" ... those who have been brought up in the Scouts, Guides or Woodfolk Movement or with Blue Peter and the Wombles (was that a forgotten singing act somewhere between the '60's and '70's?), will understand exactly what your message means and reply with enthusiasm. These are the kind of random encounters that are worth encouraging.

I like the poem, too. It's not quite as trite as I thought it was (though it is parodied many times). I have long since forgotten what it's like to push a pushchair (or even a stroller, which tends to be upside down, where I live). I'm in line for a Zimmer frame, though, does that count?

I very much agree that making contacts/friends on the Internet is very like shooting arrows in the air, TL. Here we are, posting our innermost thoughts with barely a care (well, we do care but somehow we care less than if we were talking to a stranger in a store or in the street). Now and again what we say seems to catch a spark to what someone else says, we get curious and so friendships (and more) begin.

I have had many letters like that. Some said I would be cursed, some said I would get money, love, hugs and many other things, either if I sent it on within five minutes ... or not, as the case may be. I hope that you know why some people feel it worthwhile to send out that kind of message (which is different, of course, from the reason why people forward them). It is because, some fine day, these things land back in their inboxes replete with (supposedly) real email addresses which they then harvest to send spam to. Next time you are at a festival, fair or fete where they are selling helium balloons, buy one, tie a note to it and let it go! You never know ... you could get a $20 note back some day! (See Psychotaz's response )

it's not on inbox actually... I received a REAL letter, with that content, but that was a long time ago, but it really nice if there's someone actually will reply my letter in a balloon, I will try it next time, how much balloon you think I should buy ? it maybe a little late at my age (so what ?), but still... at least I want to try it once. (I hope my letter didn't end up in mountain or sea)