The Sparta Spirit

By Caitlin C Editor's note: This is a sequel to the 1995 short story, "The Man in the Well" by Ira Sher. Click HERE to read the original on Commonlit.org. Part 1: Reunion I was nine when I discovered the man in the well. I’m 24 now and still feel guilty. I was playing with my friends and found a man stuck inside of a well. I don’t know why I didn’t help. I decided it was time to make things right. I made a group call of all my childhood friends and told them to meet back at the well. Wendy was the first to arrive, then Arthur, Aaron, Grace, and Jason. They all had grown up but still had an evil little smirk on each of their faces. Robby was the only one who wasn’t here. He died of cancer when he was 19. “Guys, I think we have to make things right,” I said wearily. “Are you okay?” Wendy asked. Arthur nudged her as if to say, “Stop”. Wendy and Arthur were newlyweds, but Wen...

Movie Review: Ran (1985)

By Jagger N The following is a review of a 1985 film called Ran . It was directed by Akira Kurosawa and is widely regarded as a cinematic classic. Absolutely beautiful film. A piece of art with color use unlike anything I've ever seen before. I wish I could live in this place despite all of that fire and fighting, just seeing that landscape in real life would put you in a trance. As well as that, this narrative is also beautiful. A masterful retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear. A grand story that is huge in scale to match the actual scale of the rest of the film. So thoroughly entertaining as well. Definitely makes me want to watch more Kurosawa as this left me dumbfounded and really made me have a realization moment as to this other layer of film that I had yet to discover. This makes the debate of Kurosawa being the best director ever make total sense. This is a revolutionary film that went on to alter cinema as we know it. A truly breathtaking masterwork Rating: 99.5/100...

Mission 458 - A Book Written By a Student (Chapter 1)

By M.E (Major Elephant) This book is a work in progress, and will be shown one chapter at a time. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All text shown below is a product of the author's imagination. Enjoy! Chapter One The train pulled away, and that's when Robert DaLinki realized that his brother, John, was not going to return for a long time. All Robert would get from his brother was a message that said, “I have gotten here safely, see you in six years!” John was on a top secret-mission that Robert knew nothing about, and he wished he knew a little more. Who knew what he might be doing? Robert walked out of the train station and to his car. He thought he heard someone behind him, so he turned around and saw a woman. She wore red all over, except her shoes, black high heels. “Hello Robe...

Pollution: The Silent Killer (an AI-Generated Advertisement)

By M.E. (Major Elephant) This is the second piece in our experimental AI project. Using invideoAI, one of our members designed an advertisement to help reduce pollution and plastic waste. NOTE: Please do not contact the email address in the video. It is fake and not for contact purposes. Click below to see the finished product:

The Thing: Microfiction

By Wynn Ithapu The thing was a rabid beast. His mouth foaming with blood, he lurked, waiting for his next prey. He lured you in, let you believe you had a chance, only cut you down with his razor sharp talons, blood and cartilage flung everywhere, you run, but you’re too late. He will draw in others as well, those who know no better. He pounces. You get a clear view of his enormous maw, flesh from his last victim still jammed between his massive fangs. He keeps you awake at night, you’re wasting your limited strength to keep him tame. Help won’t be coming tonight. Again, you remember how you onced loved him. He was kind and caring. The two of you would spar for pleasure, and you introduced him to your friends. He was a plaything, back when you were young and naive, not yet the varlet that's running your life into the dirt. You must appease him now. You’re fighting for your life, yet he'll never comprehend what he’s done to you.

Losing Otto: A Narrative Poem (Part 2)

I wake up And sluggishly drag myself Out of bed And into My kitchen I find myself turning my head Looking for Otto Looking for someone to turn to Looking for someone To confide in I feel alone Like one man stranded On an island wailing and crying out for help desperately Only to find there is no one there for him I feel trapped in a box I feel like time has stopped in its tracks I feel like my world has turned a deep shade of grey I feel like i’m fighting a losing battle

Yogurt Wars: the Battle of Flavors

By M.E. (Major Elephant) This is the first in a series of experimental AI projects that we'll be running. ChatGPT was used to generate a script, and InvideoAI was used for the video. Click below to see the finished product: Have a suggestion for a future project? Tell us in the comments!

Thanksgiving Artwork

By Anonymous The Sparta Spirit would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

Dreams: a Memoir

By Cal Ender Dreams—everyone has them. Whether they be about being the next Elon Musk and owning Tesla or being a teacher in a small town, big or small, everyone has them, and over and over, I've been asked, “Cal Ender, what are your dreams?” and over and over I've told them about my dream to be a therapist or a doctor or foster kids in times of need (with the way this economy is, that probably couldn't even happen) because it's better than saying "Yeah, I'm a loser who has no idea what I want to do'' when in reality, I shouldn't have to know, I'm thirteen-year-old girl whose biggest problem in life is waiting on Bridgerton season three to come out (not true at all, but for the sake of this, it is. Also, you should totally watch Bridgerton; it's so good.) Nothing about that screams, “I have my life aspirations set out.” Stepping away from all that pre-teen angst, I would say my biggest dream right now is fittin...

Original Artwork

By Abigail H Here's a sketch of a dragon by one of our staff members. Let us know what other types of art you'd like to see posted to The Sparta Spirit!

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