By William Van Zyl (Published in 2020) Essay: Soft bait is a silent killer. Synthetic fishing lures have been developed to catch any type of freshwater and saltwater fish. Designers and manufacturers have spent large amounts of money, time, and resources, on creating the most effective lures and soft baits. Soft bait is so effective… Continue reading Helium Balloons and Sky Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
Category: Articles.
Articles – all genres.
River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
By William Van Zyl (2019) Overview of this article From a sustainability perspective, this article investigates the views of three prominent cultures: Hinduism, Māori World view (New Zealand’s indigenous people), and Christianity. By comparing the different cultures or perspectives, the concept of giving rights to natural features like rivers are discussed. However, there are many… Continue reading River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
Out-Foxed.
Two one-page stories. By William Van Zyl (Oct 2021). Listen to the dramatised story on podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y4nr5-11407a5 At 11:16 am, it was all over. On July 15, 2016 – at 11:17 am – John Parrish ran over his robber-friend, Jack Leonard, and grabbed his bag full of money. They had just robbed the Atlantic Bank… Continue reading Out-Foxed.
Painting, painting on the Wall – Old, Gray and Wilde – is young Dorian, Dorian Gray, the Fairest of them all?
By William Van Zyl (Sept 2021) Listen to the podcast of the article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cxmsz-10f7824 The dagger is lodged deep in the chest of the rather ugly looking man. The now ‘older man’ is lying on the ground in a pool of blood. The painting of a beautiful young man lays beside him – almost unrecognisable… Continue reading Painting, painting on the Wall – Old, Gray and Wilde – is young Dorian, Dorian Gray, the Fairest of them all?
Unparalleled find – a Badge, a Skull, and a 2000-year-old Coin.
By William Van Zyl (2021) Listen to the podcast of the article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-r8ua7-10f7929 The wet blade made a long continuous ‘slit’ sound as he sliced through the skin and flesh. The tummy opened. The well-skilled calloused hand reached inside the warm body to remove the intestines. It was still warm. He stopped. The eyes of… Continue reading Unparalleled find – a Badge, a Skull, and a 2000-year-old Coin.
The World’s shortest Poems.
By William Van Zyl (published September 2021) Listen to the podcast of this article online as a blog post: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5iaj8-10f7cbb Have you ever wondered what is the shortest poem ever written? After a search, here is a result. The shortest poem in the English language, by the late great Muhammad Ali, is simply “Me, We”.… Continue reading The World’s shortest Poems.
Cufflinks – hiding a Secret – crack missing Artwork Case wide open.
By William Van Zyl (September 2021) Listen to the podcast of the short story: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-he87e-10f8259 Two golden cufflinks – containing thumbnails of a famous self-portrait – had a secret. The small town of Znojelmo in the Czech Republic was the place of interest. The mystery had everyone guessing. Where could the 7 famous paintings be?… Continue reading Cufflinks – hiding a Secret – crack missing Artwork Case wide open.
Taped Mummy saved by a Silver WW2 Pocket Knife; rescued from the Wall of Death.
By William Van Zyl (September 2021) Listen to the podcast of this story: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pz74v-10f92b2 On November 3, 1977 – in the middle of the night – a taped mummy hung limply from a wall. The tape that held the head up was slowly pulling away from the wall. The eyes, mouth, and nose were open… Continue reading Taped Mummy saved by a Silver WW2 Pocket Knife; rescued from the Wall of Death.
Digital Collaborative Learning: Individual Study Plans (ISP’s) for developing digital and collaborative skills for the 21 st Century – solving real-life problems and leading collaboratively to solve local and global burning issues.
By William Van Zyl (August 21, 2021) Abstract This scholarly paper will not look at the possibilities for embedding digital and collaborative skills into subject areas. On the contrary, it will be focusing on an individual approach (ISP’s) for learning in the 21 st Century. This article will explore the implementation of Individual Study Programs… Continue reading Digital Collaborative Learning: Individual Study Plans (ISP’s) for developing digital and collaborative skills for the 21 st Century – solving real-life problems and leading collaboratively to solve local and global burning issues.
My Poem is locked up in a sweet Mandarin; my Identity is sprinkled with spicy Cinnamon.
Listen to the article and poem: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5wky8-10fc1f0 By William Van Zyl (Aug 2021) After writing this personal poem – ‘I come from …’ you will not believe how good I felt afterwards! Also, my creativity soared. The expression of my feelings and thoughts – at the same time delving into the great memories from the… Continue reading My Poem is locked up in a sweet Mandarin; my Identity is sprinkled with spicy Cinnamon.
Whimsical, Loose, and Quirky Watercolour Sketching.
William Van Zyl (2021) The book of Felix Scheinberger – Urban Watercolour Sketching – challenges the reader with 154 pages of unique sketching ideas. To learn new art techniques and explore new ideas for sketching, one has to immerse oneself in the artist’s work. In this instance, I have used the sketches of Mr Scheinberger… Continue reading Whimsical, Loose, and Quirky Watercolour Sketching.
Rat-a-Strophics and Cat-o-Matics
By William Van Zyl (July 2021) Listen to the podcast of this story and article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-spxxm-10f938c *Additional to this article: Don’t miss the great lesson ideas at the end (for teachers, parents, and homeschoolers) – Digital Collaborative Learning. “Rat-a-strophic,” laughed the freight plane dispatcher. “Or, maybe Cat-o-matics,” chuckled the second dispatcher. “They are going to… Continue reading Rat-a-Strophics and Cat-o-Matics
A transplanted heart – unsettled by murder – makes a 180-degree turn into a blinding light.
‘Guard your heart with all your power; because the heart of man is the wellspring of life.’ By William Van Zyl – a short story (only 2450 words). *Listen to the story on Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qmny8-1043858-pb&from=embed&square=1&share=1&download=1&skin=1&btn-skin=7&size=300 At 11:16 on Wednesday, June 19, 2016, several deafening pistol shots rang from a carpark in a Pretoria mall in… Continue reading A transplanted heart – unsettled by murder – makes a 180-degree turn into a blinding light.
Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
By William Van Zyl (March 2021) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat-eyes stared at me from the ground. It was evenly spaced and extended way ahead of me. Where could it lead? It took some time for my sensitive eyes to adapt… Continue reading Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
By William Van Zyl Thinking of the sustainability of a cave is not something that comes to mind naturally. It requires prompts: What choice of materials is best for constructing the walkways? What type of lighting is best? Could the electrical system of the cave be powered via solar power? To what extent could sensors,… Continue reading Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
Hickory, Dickory, Fig Tree – I ask of you – can you hear me?
By William Van Zyl (July 2021) Listen to the podcast of this article (listen while you read): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gvr28-116868b Hickory, Dickory, Tree – Dockerty, Hockerty, Dock. A mouse Hickory Dickory Tree. The mouse went up the tree.The tree said no: “Not allowed.” The bark made it itch The mouse immediately went downHickory Dickory TreeTick tock, tick… Continue reading Hickory, Dickory, Fig Tree – I ask of you – can you hear me?
Tree-to-Tree: From the Lush Canopy – Underhanded and Ciphered – a Message to Thee.
By William Van Zyl (June 2021) Listen to the podcast while reading: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-sbg2d-11678c1 An encoded scent whiffed across to a neighbouring tree. It had a complex message in the transparent envelope. The postman did not deliver it. Mister Wind carried it with unseen dedication. Leaf-to-leaf, the proverbial ‘drums’ had relayed the detailed message. The ‘letter’… Continue reading Tree-to-Tree: From the Lush Canopy – Underhanded and Ciphered – a Message to Thee.
One Flew over the Bionic Flying Fox’s Nest.
By William Van Zyl (June 2021) Vintery, mintery, cutery, corn,Apple seed and apple thorn,Wire, briar, limber lockThree geese in a flockOne flew EastOne flew WestAnd one flew over the Bionic Flying Fox’s nest. ———————-0—————————– In the artificial nest lay two eggs – not a bird in sight. Below the nest – and interwoven in the… Continue reading One Flew over the Bionic Flying Fox’s Nest.
In the Ice Cold Belly of the Golden Dragon, it Rumbles, Spins, and Twirls. Light Atoms Spark and Flash – the almost Frozen Creature is at Work.
By William Van Zyl (April 2021) Icy cold vapour is trapped in the belly of the Golden Dragon. The temperature is below – 200 degrees –Celsius. The tummy is cool; some of the parts are thoroughly chilled. The intestines are frozen solid. The light and atoms – in the underbelly – are subjected to the… Continue reading In the Ice Cold Belly of the Golden Dragon, it Rumbles, Spins, and Twirls. Light Atoms Spark and Flash – the almost Frozen Creature is at Work.
Writing Skills – Wood and Stone: How Prophecy Changes Everything.
*Comparing and contrasting the novels Moby Dick (by Herman Melville), and Macbeth (by William Shakespeare). By William Van Zyl (Published in 2021) Article. *Listen to the podcast of the full article: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=w289b-1022217-pb&from=embed&square=1&share=1&download=1&skin=1&btn-skin=7&size=300 Fantasy Prophecy is a fascinating and compelling technique for Writing Fiction and Non-fiction. Prophecies, or a prophecy, can add a fascinating plotline to… Continue reading Writing Skills – Wood and Stone: How Prophecy Changes Everything.