This offering is given free of charge. A non-refundable
present, a gift one cannot exchange. It yields neither a
warranty nor any guarantees and does not even hold an
operations manual. The package is marked CAUTION: FRAGILE.
A card attached to it reads: "See for yourself. Understand
on your own. Ask the questions that interest you. Try
finding your answers". You can just barely make out a word
written in the smaller print half scratched out, which is
ironic.

The wrap unravels, and the inside discovers to be a Pandora
Box. As it opens, a strong odor is released. Amongst the
things that lay inside the box there is a book bearing the
title "Life". The first few pages are simple, even trivial.
Then, as the plot thickens, things become more and more
complex, as well as confusing. Often, the tension rises
dramatically, but is soon reduced by a comic relief.
Sometimes, it seems the book is about to end abruptly even
on the current page, but those moments subside and the story
carries on.

Many characters play secondary roles in the book, but it is
you who play the lead part. It also seems you are one with
the narrator. He is your inner voice, your alter ego. Too
frequently, you fail to understand him. Too often, the pages
seem to turn of their own volition while you stare
helplessly and struggle to regain hold on the main thread of
the plot. Too many times, you fail to read between the
lines. Still, you keep on reading. The alternative is
unthinkable.

Every sentence carries a new meaning, yet another thing you
hadn't known before. Another thing you now see in a
different light. Every chapter includes a new beginning,
followed by another end, followed by another beginning; like
a never-ending cycle, but never quite the same. The book
takes place in many worlds, and you are a part of all of
them. It would have been best if each world were left alone,
for world collision is seldom a good thing, but here it is a
frequent matter.

There are times when you read on passionately, enthralled.
But altogether, there are moments when you wish you had not
begun reading at all. Another thing about this book is that
it is not entirely pleasant and not entirely grim. It is
never black or white.
As the pages turn, you mature. You slowly reach higher
levels of understanding and thus higher levels of
consciousness. Gradually you answer some of the questions
you have set forth during your reading. At some point, if
your book is successful, it may inspire new authors and set
the tone for other books. Those new books' authors would
then choose whether to utilize the knowledge hidden within
your book. They probably would, even if by just a bit.

As you read on, the pages slowly turn yellow. Page by page,
it becomes harder to understand the handwriting. Some of the
pages you have already read simply disintegrate as a result
of wear. Somehow you learn to accept this.

Suddenly you realize that you are reading the very last
page. Seeing it contains neither a conclusion nor a summary,
you come to terms with your failure to understand many of
the aspects the book has offered you. As you read the last
word, the book shuts close and the box too is locked
forevermore. Soon, the box shall be disposed and buried.
Easy come easy go the gift once given is taken away. Second
reading is forbidden.