MIRRORS OF THE SKY 



UNDER certain conditions of light and atmosphere, the sky 

 becomes a mirror. It is a common sight on a summer's day 

 in the West and Middle West, and in desert countries as 

 well. The sunlight falls on wide stretches of weather-worn 

 sand, wind-polished pebbles, and dried grasses. These sheets 

 of flame are instantly flashed back into the face of the sky, 

 and, behold! the sky is a marvelous mirror in which the 

 astonished traveler beholds shimmering lakes shot across 

 with sun-glades, or browsing herds, or tall and beautiful 

 trees, or splendid cities with turrets and domes! But the 

 eye can see none of these in reality. It is an optical illusion, 

 not wholly a delusion. The sky must have gotten these 

 pictures which it shows to the traveler from substances 

 somewhere! How far away were the cities? How far away 

 were the herds ? How far away were the trees ? The 

 substance was somewhere or the shadow could not have 

 been seen, for even a shadow must have adequate cause. 

 This mysterious mirror of the sky is the artistry of God, 

 hung in His blue galleries above the bleaching sands! 



It is not at all easy for the inexperienced traveler to 

 believe that there is anything secondary about the mirage. 

 Its appeal is so primary and powerful. It is a real appeal 

 from reality. But it is through the secondary processes of 

 reflection and refraction. A mere nothing could not produce 

 such a delightful and refreshing experience as the mirage 

 produces through the delighted traveler's eyes on a dismal day. 



The monotonous miles through desert plains had dragged 



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