Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is a popular attraction located in Schiller Woods, which is a forested area in Cook County, Illinois, United States. This enchanting water pump is known for its magical properties, capturing the attention and fascination of locals and tourists alike. The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is believed to possess the ability to grant wishes to those who interact with it. It is said that when someone approaches the pump and turns the handle, they can make a heartfelt wish. The belief is that the magical powers of the water pump are activated through the act of physically engaging with it. Visitors to the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump often come with their wishes in mind, ready to turn the handle and see if their dreams come true.
Visitors to the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump often come with their wishes in mind, ready to turn the handle and see if their dreams come true. The atmosphere surrounding the pump is often filled with anticipation and hope, as people eagerly await the fulfillment of their aspirations. One of the remarkable aspects of the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is its widespread popularity.
The Secret of Sinharat & People of the Talisman: A wonderful double feature
Leigh Brackett, the so-called “Queen of Space Opera,” would have turned 100 years old on 12/7/2015, and to celebrate her recent centennial in my own way, I have resolved to read five novels featuring her most well-known character: Eric John Stark. Brackett, of course, was already something of a well-known commodity before her first Stark story appeared in 1949; she had already placed no fewer than 32 short stories and novelettes, beginning in 1940, in the various pulp publications of the day, thereby establishing herself as the most important female sci-fi author of the Golden Age (other than C.L. Moore, of course). Her Stark tales, all three of them, originally appeared in the pages of Planet Stories magazine: “Queen of the Martian Catacombs” in the Summer ’49 issue, “Enchantress of Venus” (which I have discussed earlier here at FanLit) in Fall ’49, and “Black Amazon of Mars” in March ’51. “Enchantress,” a wonderful tale, has been oft anthologized, but the first and third stories that bracket(t) it have been extremely difficult to find. (The upcoming Haffner Press release, The Book of Stark, will happily bring those lost tales back into print.) Fortunately for me, Brackett later reworked these tales, revising and expanding them to novel length, with the respective titles The Secret of Sinharat and People of the Talisman, released in 1964 as one of those cute little “Ace doubles” — M-101, for all you collectors out there — with a hefty cover price of… 45 cents. I recently laid my hands on this collectible item, and thus was finally able to read these two wonderful sci-fi/adventure novels.
The Secret of Sinharat and People of the Talisman serve as perfect introductions to Eric John Stark, the product of Earthling parents living on Mercury. Stark’s parents were tragically killed in a mining accident on the blazing-hot planet, and the young boy was later raised by barbarous aborigines and renamed N’Chaka. By the time he has grown to manhood, Stark’s skin has been burned almost black (no illustrator has ever gotten this trait right!), and though he comes off as an intelligent, civilized adult, that barbarous upbringing of his is never far beneath the surface. Indeed, Stark often strikes the reader as a Conan of the spaceways, what with his immense strength, superb fighting skills and superhuman climbing abilities. The Martian and Venusian backdrops in these first three Stark outings might almost be Cimmeria or Hyperborea, in fact, so primitive are the natives and their weapons; only the planetary settings and some alien supergizmos nudge the stories into the realm of sci-fi. Brackett was supposedly heavily influenced by the Martian tales of Edgar Rice Burroughs in her creation of Stark’s environs, and Golden Age great Henry Kuttner served as a mentor of sorts to her, but it is assuredly Robert E. Howard who comes most forcefully to mind here. Brackett even writes like Howard on occasion, especially during her gory battle sequences and when detailing nudity, wining and wenching, but she is also more than capable of beautiful descriptive prose to flesh out her stunning imagination. Secret and People are both compulsively readable page-turners, sweeping the reader irresistibly along on their wild and violent rides.
As for the story lines, in The Secret of Sinharat, Stark, to evade getting tossed into prison for a 20-year stretch for gunrunning, agrees to assist his old mentor, Simon Ashton. Stark will act as a mercenary in the employ of the barbarian chieftain Kynon, who is marshaling the various tribes of the Martian Drylands, as well as the evil town of Valkis on the Low-Canal, to thus form an invincible army and attack the Martian City-States. Stark’s mission is to find out as much intelligence as he can and, hopefully, break up the brewing war. Thus, Stark encounters Kynon and a gaggle of his thoroughly unpleasant lieutenants, sets out on a desert trek with them, is seduced by Kynon’s woman, the redheaded Berild, and ultimately encamps with the others at the ancient Martian city of Sinharat before discovering the true nature of the rebellion and the legend that gives the abandoned city such an evil reputation. Brackett throws in all sorts of imaginative touches (for example, one of Stark’s enemies here is an addict of “shanga” radiation, which causes a temporary atavism back to beasthood!) and memorable set pieces into her tale. In one grueling sequence, Stark and Berild are deliberately separated from the others during a monster sandstorm, and their resultant desert crossing rivals even the one that H. Rider Haggard depicted so memorably in King Solomon’s Mines.
In People of the Talisman, Stark is back on Mars, this time near the north polar regions. He has agreed here to bring back the lenslike talisman of the title to the walled city of Kushat. His dying friend, Camar, had stolen it many years before, thus depriving the city of its legendary protection. Kushat, according to myth, guards a mountain pass that leads to… nobody quite knows where. And so, Stark takes the mystic thingamabob to Kushat, narrowly escaping from the clutches of the Lord Ciaran and his barbarous Mekh tribesmen en route. (“Ciaran” is a name that Brackett evidently liked, as it was also the name of one of her characters in the 1944 story “The Jewel of Bas.”) In the book’s gripping central set piece, Stark helps defend Kushat when Ciaran’s hordes attack, and again, the use of swords, spears and battering ram is more reminiscent of a Conan story than of a futuristic Martian outing.
And later, Stark and a desperate band of city survivors attempt to climb through that nearby mountain pass, talisman in hand, and uncover its grim secret. Brackett, in this novel, offers up a twist ending that nobody should foresee, as well as presenting us with an alien race that truly is alien as regards looks, clothing, mentation and conduct. The author peoples her tale with many interesting side characters, as well, including one of the military commanders of Kushat, Lord Rogain; sadly, Brackett does not tell us precisely how much hair this man sports! The author or her Ace editors were guilty of one serious slip in this tale, sadly… when Stark refers to Ciaran’s aged advisor, Otar, by name, even though he had not had a chance to learn that name yet; an error, no doubt, that was introduced when the original short story was reworked in 1964. Other than this slip, however, People is a wonderful short novel. I devoured this one while I was home sick over a few days and found it perfect company, indeed.
Revising and expanding these Golden Age tales for more modern times evidently began to warm Brackett to Eric John Stark again, for just 10 years later, she released the first of three new novels featuring the character: the opening salvo of the so-called SKAITH TRILOGY. The first book in that trilogy, 1974’s The Ginger Star, is where this reader will be heading next…
People from various walks of life, backgrounds, and ages come to this mystical spot, all seeking a momentary connection with the supernatural realm. It is a testament to the universal longing for something extraordinary and magical in our lives. The serene environment of Schiller Woods adds to the appeal of the water pump. Surrounded by lush greenery and nestled within nature's embrace, the Magic Water Pump offers a tranquil and peaceful setting for visitors to contemplate their wishes and desires. While the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump may not have any scientific proof of its powers, it continues to attract people who believe in its magical abilities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of hopes and dreams in our lives, and the power of our own intentions and beliefs. In conclusion, the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump is a captivating attraction that holds the promise of granting wishes to those who engage with it. It represents the innate human desire for magic and the possibility of dreams coming true. Whether one chooses to believe in its enchantment or not, the water pump remains a cherished symbol of hope and possibility in the hearts of those who visit it..
Reviews for "Glassic Waters: A Closer Look at the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump"
1. Alex - 1/5 rating - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump was a complete disappointment. I purchased it with high hopes of it magically transforming my garden into a lush oasis, but it did not live up to its claims. Not only did the pump fail to produce enough water pressure, but the so-called "magic" feature was nothing more than a basic sprinkler attachment. Save your money and invest in a more reliable water pump for your gardening needs.
2. Emily - 2/5 rating - I was excited to try out the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump, but it fell short of my expectations. The pump's performance was subpar, with inconsistent water flow and frequent clogs. Additionally, the so-called "magic" feature was simply a gimmick, as it did not bring any noticeable improvements to my garden. I was left feeling disappointed and regretful of my purchase.
3. Mark - 2/5 rating - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump did not live up to its name. I found it to be highly unreliable, with frequent breakdowns and a lackluster performance. The water pressure was weak, and the pump did not effectively distribute water evenly throughout my garden. The supposed magical properties it advertised were non-existent, and I ended up returning the product after a few uses. Do not waste your money on this water pump.
4. Sarah - 1/5 rating - I had such high hopes for the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump, but unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment. The water pump constantly malfunctioned, and the water pressure was extremely low. The "magic" feature was nothing more than a basic sprinkler attachment, and it did not provide any noticeable benefits to my garden. I would not recommend this product to anyone in need of a reliable and effective water pump.
5. John - 2/5 rating - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump did not perform as advertised. The water pressure was inconsistent, and the pump frequently clogged, disrupting the water flow. The supposed magic feature offered no tangible benefits to my plants and garden. I was left feeling unsatisfied with this purchase and would not recommend it to others seeking an efficient water pumping solution.