Wordzzle # 104

Raven's Wordzzle Challenge # 104 

As I post this, there is no post of Raven's actually entitled Week 104. So the link above goes to Week 103, which is where she gave these words:

culture, sheep, skin, mentally, box, desert, several people, church, Greece, thirst,

swimming pool, cargo, czar, focus, fine

The Slumber Party Mystery
Chapter 49 - What the General Remembered (part 1)

"Ah," said the General, nodding at Matthew. "That's a good question, young man. You should know though - and this is another thing I learned from the culture of my Indian forefathers - that being mentally aware is a complex thing." He made a gesture towards the treasure chest. "That old box... the things in there are just reminders."  He feel silent for a moment, shifting his stare from the treasure chest to the polar bear skin on the floor. "This is very old knowledge. Several peoples in the old world knew about it. Not only the philosphers of Greece, and some of the saints of the early church. But also nomads spending their lives guarding their sheep. People living in the desert, familiar with thirst.  It's all about keeping your focus, really. I even came upon it in a biography of some old Russian czar, believe it or not. And there was this other story I read about a man who had himself transported as cargo, no food and no drink, and he reached his destination just fine..."

"Grandpa..." said Diana. "I'm sure that's all fascinating, but speaking of focus..."

"Sorry," said the General. "Well, I just wanted you to know it's not easy to describe exactly what happens when you enter into this state of mind. I heard the doctor's car arriving - and there's no mistake about that, because his car really needs a new muffler! - and that was my cue, so to say."

He looked intentely at Adam while saying this, and Adam had to use all his willpower to keep his face expressionless.

"But then," continued the General, "I don't really have a clear picture of things until I found myself out in the swimming pool with Bumblebee. Quite a shock, to tell you the truth!"

A very faint sound was heard from Adam - like a sigh he couldn't quite keep back.