All For One and One For All

 When I was a kid, that includes today, I was and am a huge fan of "The Three Musketeers." Each one of the Four, notice in the book there are four Musketeers, is a favorite character for me.  In the many publications of the novelette the titles switch back and forth from, "The Three Musketeers, to The Four Musketeers," and even if your a Warner Brothers fan, "The Man In The Iron Mask."  

In 1844, Alexandre Dumas, wrote the Novel as an expression of his frustration with the French political spectrum.  He used the existing Musketeer corp as an example and a medium for his protagonists the elusive, Three, or Four.  

Then in 1921, Edward Knoblock, (what a name, right?), Douglas Fairbanks, and Lotta Woods, (another doozy), collaborated and wrote a screenplay for the silent blockbuster, "The Three Musketeers"  It was one of the original ole fashioned Swashbuckler's full of sword play, damsels giving distress, (those familiar with the story will understand what I say), and Good Verses Evil.  I love that stuff.

Each generation has it's own version of the film, each growing the myth and expanding the message as they grow.  Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and of course the future Captain of the Guard, D'Artagnan.  Each has an attribute that can be considered a virtue and a lesson for young men and women of all generations.  Athos was the Wise one, Porthos was the strong one, Aramis, the priest, was the pious one, and D'Artagnan was full of vigor and guile.   Each on of these Hero's alone is incomplete, but together as a Unit, unstoppable.  They become the Whole modern Hero.  I am reminded of the Book Iron John, who was afraid of only one thing, the monster at the bottom of the bog, his mother.  Sort of reminiscent of Grendel.  Each of these Hero's had lessons that young people could use to build their own personal character and together maybe etch the world. 

Now we go back to the call, "All For One And One For All!".  If ever there was a time when people, humanity, nations, religions, the young, the old, the in-between, needed a set of principles to help us, the world,  get through what is to come, "All For One And One For All!"  Is in My Memory.

Peace and Balance,

John