Legend has it that Harris Burdick was interested in having some of his short stories published, so he met with a publisher to give him the illustrations with short captions from his stories in hopes the publisher would be interested. After giving the illustrations a look, the publisher tried to get a hold of Burdick for more information, but he never heard back because Burdick had disappeared without a trace!

What reasons would Harris Burdick have for vanishing without a trace?

Why do you think he went to see the publisher if he intended never to return?

"He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.“

What book do you think she is reading? Why?

What will happen when she wakes up?

"The fifth one ended up in France."

What do you think the woman in the chair is thinking? Why?

Where do you think she is headed? Why?

Where are the other four?

" It all began when someone left the window open."

What do you think caused the wallpaper to come alive? Why?

What would happen if someone came into the room right now? Why?

" She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter."

Why is the pumpkin is glowing? What is causing it to glow?

What will happen when she cuts the pumpkin? Why?

“So it's true he thought, it's really true.”

What do you think caused the ripples in the water?

Why did they leave the harp behind?

" He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back."

Why do you think the stone skipped back?

Why was it always the third stone?

“A tiny voice asked, "Is he the one?"

Who or what is looking for Archie? Why?

What do you think they have planned for Archie? Why?

“If there was an answer, he'd find it there.”

Where do you think they are headed? Why?

Who are the people on the train car? How are they linked?

“It was a perfect lift-off.”

What is causing the house to lift-off? Why?

Where are the house and its contents headed? Why?

“Two weeks passed and it happened again.”

What do you think is under the rug? Why?

What will happen if he hits the bump with the chair? Why?

“She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out "goodbye."

Where did she find these caterpillars?

Why is it time to send them back? Where is she taking them? Why?

“His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob move.”

What do you think is behind the small door? Why?

What will happen when the door opens? Why?

“Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal.”

What is pulling the ocean liner into the canal? Why?

What must the people of Venice be thinking? Why?

“He swung his lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared.”

Who, or what, is on-board the schooner? Why?

Why would Captain Tory want to summon this schooner?

Your writing assignment is to write a short mystery story about one of these enthralling pictures. You must incorporate the caption that came with the picture somewhere in your writing. This caption is the statement in quotations at the top of each slide. Think about the questions on the slide as they may help you develop a story around the picture. Your story must have an element of mystery, just like the illustrations. You will receive a copy of the slide of the illustration you have chosen as a reference.

Good luck!