The Mysteries of Harris

Burdick

Chris Van Allsburg came across the pictures of Harris Burdick through a friend, Peter Wenders. Apparently, Burdick presented the pictures with their titles and captions to Wenders in hopes that Wenders would be interested in purchasing the stories that accompanied the illustrations. Wenders was intrigued by the pictures and asked Burdick to submit the corresponding stories the next day. However, Wenders never heard from Harris Burdick again, so the "true" stories behind the pictures were never revealed.

These illustrations have been a source of inspiration for many people, even for famous writers such as Stephen King, and thus we hope they will be for you.

Look at the illustrations, their titles and captions, choose the one you find most inspiring and write a story which may explain what happened before or after the scene it illustrates.

Source: Van Allsburg, Chris, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston: Massachusetts (1984)

Under the Rug Two weeks passed and it happened again.

Mr. Linden’s Library He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late

The Seven Chairs The fifth one ended in France.

Missing in Venice Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal

The Third-floor Bedroom It all began when someone left the window open.

Oscar and Alphonse She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out “goodbye”

The House on Maple Street It was a perfect lift-off.

Captain Tory He swung his lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared

A Strange Day He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back.

Uninvited Guests His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn.

Another place, another time If there was an answer, he’d find it there

The Harp So it’s true he thought, it’s really true

Just Desert She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter.

Archie Smith, the Boy Wonder A tiny voice asked, “is he the one?”