The secret of the magic gourd is a popular concept in folklore and literature. It revolves around a mystical gourd that possesses incredible powers and grants the person who possesses it the ability to fulfill their wishes. In many versions of the story, the magic gourd is said to be found by a humble and poor individual who unintentionally stumbles upon it. The person usually encounters the gourd in a secluded and hidden place, giving it an air of mystery and wonder. Once the person discovers the magic gourd, they soon learn about its powers. It is said that whatever the person wishes for, the gourd can grant it.
A look back at the Bullets’ live dog mascots Alex, Tiny B-B and Tiny Too
As Dan Steinberg discovered while flipping through an old Washington Bullets media guide on Monday, Washington’s NBA franchise used to have a live dog mascot. Mascots, to be exact.
While some longtime Bullets/Wizards fans remember the days of Alex the Bullet, Tiny B-B and Tiny Too, here’s a brief history of the dachshunds for the fans who grew up with the far less interesting and far more terrifying Hoops and G-Wiz.
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It all started in 1963, when Navy veteran John Edwin “Chief” Gentry got a call from the general manager of Baltimore’s new NBA franchise, which had just moved from Chicago and renamed itself the Bullets.
“‘I understand you’ve got a dog that looks like a bullet,’ the man [probably Paul Hoffman] said to me,” Gentry told The Post’s Bob Levey in 1979. “He had seen me with my dog at football games in Annapolis. I’ve been at it with the Bullets ever since.”
AdvertisementGentry’s dachshund, Alex, teamed with another dog named Buckshot as the Bullets’ live mascots for their first five years in Baltimore.
When Abe Pollin broke ground for the Capital Centre, one of the first full-time employees he hired was Gentry. With Gentry taking on added responsibilities as the arena’s operations manager, The Post’s George Solomon lamented what he figured was the end of Alex and Tiny-B-B’s careers in a 1973 column.
Once and for all, Abe Pollin proved his intent to make everything connected with his Capital Centre first class by announcing the purchase of a $1,125,000 scoreboard-entertainment center for the new arena in Largo.
But lost amid the bright lights and speeches at Thursday’s press conference was the revelation that the coming of the four Super Scoreboards will end the distinguished careers of Alex the Bullet and Tiny B-B.
For those who have not kept up with the former Baltimore Bullets (now the Capital Bullets) these past 10 NBA seasons, it should be noted that Alex the Bullet and Tiny B-B are dachshunds that performed cute tricks during time-outs at Bullet home games.
Alex, whose real last name is Von Brauhof and not The Bullet, is owned and trained by John E. (Chief) Gentry. During his first five years in Baltimore, Alex teamed with a dog named Buckshot. When Buckshot died from eating too many acorns, Tiny B-B joined Alex’s act.
For years, the dogs sloughed off taunts from nasty kids and the degradation of sharing the time-out/halftime spotlight with a human exhibitionist named Dancing Harry. Two years ago, Baltimore fans were spared Dancing Harry’s endless and shameless attempts at hexing opponents when he followed Earl Monroe to New York.
Alex the Bullet and Tiny B-B, although regaining their full status upon Dancing Harry’s defection, now appear doomed because of Pollin’s new Conrac giant, with its four Swiss-made Eidophor projectors flashing full-color replays on four large screens.
“It’s quite said, but it looks like Alex the Bullet and Tiny B-B are through,” said Gentry, who has assumed the role of operations manager of the Capital Centre. Gentry says he no longer has the time to handle any canine capers.
Although Gentry and other Bullet officials agree the dogs were fine in their day, it’s apparent the Capital Centre has passed them by.
But Gentry apparently found the time to juggle both jobs, and the show went on. The Post reported that Alex the Bullet died in 1974 at age 19 and was buried in a cinder block crypt behind the Gentry home in Odenton, Md. Pollin paid for the plot and the burial.
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It is said that whatever the person wishes for, the gourd can grant it. This leads to a series of events where the newfound power is used in various ways – both for personal gain and to help others. However, there is often a catch to using the magic gourd.
The Redskins and other teams bashed for their nicknames.
It is known to have certain rules and limitations. For instance, the gourd may only grant a fixed number of wishes or may have specific restrictions on what it can fulfill. In some versions, the gourd may even turn against the person if they become greedy or misuse its powers. The secret of the magic gourd lies in the morality and consequences associated with its use. Through the story, readers learn about the importance of using power responsibly, making selfless choices, and understanding the value of contentment. The tale often serves as a lesson in humility and teaches individuals to appreciate what they have rather than constantly chasing after more. The concept of the magic gourd has been depicted in various forms of media, including books, movies, and animated adaptations. It has captivated audiences of all ages with its magical and moralistic elements. The story continues to be cherished not only for its entertainment value but also for the valuable life lessons it imparts..
Reviews for "Enhancing Your Intuition with the Magic Guard: Trusting Your Inner Wisdom"
1. Emma - 2 stars
I found "The Secret of the Magic Guard" to be quite disappointing. The story felt disjointed, with random plot points that were never properly explained or resolved. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them or care about their actions. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked the captivating quality I was hoping for. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging fantasy story.
2. David - 1 star
"The Secret of the Magic Guard" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay interested in the story. The author seemed to over-explain every little detail, bogging down the narrative and making it difficult to feel any sense of excitement or suspense. The dialogue felt forced and contrived, lacking the natural flow that good conversation should have. The plot twists were predictable and unimaginative, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed. I wouldn't waste my time on this book.
3. Michelle - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Secret of the Magic Guard," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the magic system and the overall setting. The protagonist was unrelatable and made questionable decisions throughout the story, which made it hard for me to root for their success. The writing style was also quite bland, lacking the descriptive language that could have made the story more immersive. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and wouldn't recommend it to avid fantasy readers.
4. Thomas - 2.5 stars
While I didn't completely dislike "The Secret of the Magic Guard," I found it to be underwhelming. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and lacked proper development. The characters were forgettable, and their actions often seemed illogical or out of character. The dialogue felt forced at times, making it hard for me to believe in the interactions between the characters. Additionally, the climax and resolution felt anticlimactic and left me wanting more. Overall, I think this book had potential but failed to deliver on its promises.