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Old Ralph Rinkelmann, a master of comic sketches, found his fortune slipping away due to his tragic poetry. Perhaps that’s why he was chosen as the king of the fairies... George MacDonald (December 10, 1824 – September 18, 1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister whose enchanting stories, particularly his fairy tales and fantasy novels, have captivated the hearts of many, including literary giants like W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine LEngle. The Shadows is one of MacDonalds mesmerizing fairy tales, where the mysterious Shadows exist to cast their forms on the walls, creating vivid scenes. They mimic the misdeeds of wrongdoers to inspire repentance, perform comedic sketches to spark the imagination of playwrights, and dance to ignite the creativity of musicians. With a tender heart, the king pities the Shadows, for they cannot retain memories of their past deeds, friendships, or loves beyond a single night. (Summary by Wikipedia and Catharine Eastman)