ts almost a cinch you won't
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of wind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins.
Is the one who thinks he can._"
[Illustration]
"That's very inspirational," said Graham. "I must remember that. But
doesn't it apply equally to girls?"
"Oh, of course!" the TV responded. "But the poem was written a long time
ago, before non-specific gender language was in vogue."
"You seem rather wise for a manufactured person," said Graham. "Where
did your brain come from?"
"Oh, I haven't really got a brain in the traditional sense of the word.
My brain is largely electronic and preprogrammed from a lot of things
I've seen and heard on TV. There are lessons to be learned, even from
the poorest of shows."
"Do you have a name?" asked Graham.
"Well, most of my friends call me Telle. My full name is Telle
Visionary. But you can just call me Telly."
[Illustration]
CHAPTER NINE:
CAPTURED AGAIN!
"Well, Telly, you are a most fascinating person. Would you like to
accompany me on my mission? You see, I am a stranger in a strange land,
and I'd feel a lot better with someone like yourself who is familiar
with the way things work here. Also, I haven't the slightest idea where
I am or where I'm going. Not only that, but I escaped from a Wicked
Witch and she's probably mad as heck right now and looking for me."
"I'd be delighted to accompany you, my little friend. Although I must
tell you, I don't know how much protection I could give you from the
Wicked Witch because, if it's the one I think it is, she's bullied me
from time to time. Whenever she sees me, she zooms right in and makes me
run all the soap operas she's missed. Sometimes I have to sit for hours
and hours while she catches up. By the way, what is the mission you
mentioned?"
"Oh, my mission is to get home to America," Graham answered quickly. "My
parents must be worried sick about me. Have you any ideas how I could
get back before that Witch captures me again?"
"Well, let's see! Hmmm, dum de dum de dum, Hmmm, um, let me think..."
There was a long pause. "No!" he finally said. "I can't think of a
single way you could get back to America. In fac
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