The Children's Story

It was a simple incident in the life of James Clavella talk with his young daughter just home from schoolthat inspired this chilling tale of what could happen in twenty-five quietly devastating minutes. He writes, "The Children's Storycame into being that day. It was then that I really realized how vulnerable my child's mind was any mind, for that matterunder controlled circumstances. Normally I write and rewrite and re-rewrite, but this story came quicklyalmost by itself. Barely three words were changed. It pleases me greatly because I kept asking the questions... Questions like, What's the use of 'I pledge allegiance' without understanding? Like Why is it so easy to divert thoughts? Like What is freedom? and Why is so hard to explain? The Children's Storykeeps asking me all sorts of questions I cannot answer. Perhaps you canthen your child will...."

James Clavell, who died in 1994, was a screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Although he wrote the screenplays for a number of acclaimed films, including The Fly (1958), The Great Escape (1963), and To Sir With Love (1967), he is best known for his epic novels in his Asian Saga.