Once upon a time, there was a mystical tale of a witch who enchanted a mighty sword and placed it deep within a stone. This tale, known as "Witch on Sword in the Stone," captivated many with its magic and mystery. Legend speaks of a fierce and powerful sorceress who possessed the ability to control the elements and wield extraordinary powers. Her name was Morgana, and she was known throughout the land for her cunning and enchanting ways. But Morgana's true desire was to ensure that only the worthy could possess the fabled sword. No ordinary sword, the mystical blade was said to possess unimaginable power and grant the one who could retrieve it immeasurable strength and boundless wisdom.
First published on March 17, 2016 / 9:00 PM
Almost immediately, residents of Flint a majority-black city where 40 percent of people live in poverty started complaining about the quality of the water. An informational document from Michigan s Department of Environmental Quality MDEQ says the city addressed the problem by increasing chlorine levels in the water.
No ordinary sword, the mystical blade was said to possess unimaginable power and grant the one who could retrieve it immeasurable strength and boundless wisdom. It was forged in the fires of ancient times, infused with mythical energies by the hands of a legendary blacksmith. Morgana, determined to find the most deserving individual, devised a powerful spell that would merge her own essence with the sword, forever binding her to it.
Flint's water crisis started with the flip of a switch
FLINT, Mich. -- The Flint water crisis started with a flip of a switch -- quite literally.
The beginnings of the lead problem can be traced to shortly after April 25, 2014, when former Flint Mayor Dayne Walling flipped a switch -- moving the city's water supply from Detroit to its own system, where the main water source was the Flint River.
Water supply switch being flipped in April of 2014. CBS News
"Not a day or night goes by that this tragedy doesn't weigh on my mind," Michigan Governor Rick Snyder told members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Thursday.
Now, two years later, Snyder and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy are both feeling the heat for the toxic lead poising that infiltrated not only Flint's water system, but possibly most importantly, the children living in the city.
"People realized that children were getting lead poisoned and potentially contracting these water-borne diseases because the law was not being followed," said Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, who uncovered that the water was creating a public health threat.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha first warned city officials in Flint to stop using the Flint River for water in September 2015. It wasn't until October 16, 2016, that the city officially switched back to using Detroit's water.
"Lead should never touch a child," said Dr. Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician in Flint. "So if it's detected in a child, it's almost too late."
And the switch back may have been too late for some children, who had already been exposed to lead.
"You see the results at five years of age, when they need early intervention services and special education. You see the impact at 10-years, when they're having ADHD-like symptoms," Dr. Hanna-Attisha said. "And you'll see the impact when they're like 15-years-old, and they're having trouble with the criminal justice system."
First published on March 17, 2016 / 9:00 PM
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"What has become clear in recent weeks is that the staff believed they were handling the situation in accordance with the proper protocol for a water provider using a new source, but the federal Lead and Copper rule has a particular provision for communities over 50,000 people; that the system operator must continue treating with full corrosion control even as they test the water. "What the staff did would have been the proper protocol for a community under 50,000 people. None of the DEQ staff in this division had ever worked on a water source switch for a community over 50,000 people — it's uncommon for big communities to switch sources. "It's increasingly clear there was confusion here, but it also is increasingly that DEQ staff believed they were using the proper federal protocol here and they were not."
The incantation she cast summoned a whirlwind of dark magic, causing the sword to pierce through the heart of a massive stone. Legends spread quickly, attracting knights, warriors, and adventurers from far and wide. Eager to prove their worth, they journeyed to the stone, each hoping to be the one to free the enchanted sword from its rocky prison. But Morgana had not made it easy. She surrounded the stone with treacherous obstacles and guarded it fiercely, using her dark arts to challenge every challenger who dared approach. Many were turned to stone or driven mad by her powerful illusions, while others simply fell victim to her devious traps. Years passed, and countless warriors tried and failed to release the sword from the stone's grip. The land became plagued with tales of defeat and despair, and hope began to dwindle. Then, one fateful day, a young and humble squire named Arthur stumbled upon the sacred stone. Intrigued by the stories that echoed through the land, he approached the stone with both trepidation and determination. Against all odds, Arthur managed to resist Morgana's illusions and overcame her traps, his pure heart and unwavering faith guiding him. As Arthur reached out to grasp the sword's hilt, a blinding flash of light engulfed the scene. The power of the sword surged through his veins, and the connection between Morgana and the sword was severed. The once-mighty witch was banished, and the sword was now in the hands of its rightful owner. The news of Arthur's triumph spread like wildfire, and he was hailed as a true hero. With the sword in his possession, Arthur became the legendary King Arthur, the leader who united the land and brought forth an era of peace and prosperity. The tale of the "Witch on Sword in the Stone" continues to resonate throughout time, reminding all who hear it of the power of courage, determination, and the idea that true strength comes from within. It is a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, the human spirit can prevail and overcome any challenge..
Reviews for "The Witch's Secret: Decoding the Riddle of the Sword in the Stone"
1. Emily - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch on sword in thee stone". The story felt rushed and the characters were underdeveloped. It seemed like the author didn't put much effort into creating a cohesive plotline. I also found the writing style to be quite dull and lacking in imagination. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted fantasy story.
2. David - 2/5 - "Witch on sword in thee stone" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The concept was intriguing, but the execution was poor. The pacing was off, with unnecessary scenes dragging on and important moments feeling rushed. The characters were unmemorable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. There were some interesting ideas sprinkled throughout the book, but they were not enough to salvage the overall reading experience.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I couldn't finish "Witch on sword in thee stone". The writing was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The author introduced too many unrelated subplots that only added to the confusion. The protagonist was unlikable and made irrational decisions without any clear motivation. I found myself losing interest quickly and had to put the book down. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.