title: What On Earth Have I Done?: Stories, Observations, and Affirmations
author:  Robert Fulghum 
description: "Fulghum's recounting is unhurried and leisurely, unfolding at a steady pace that works to reaffirm his message, namely to slow down and appreciate the world in which we live."  Publishers Weekly
zlib_text: ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
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  An Inspiration  
    
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
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  # An Inspiration
  
  
  ### George Gissing
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  About six o'clock, just as Harvey Munden came to the end of his day's work,
  and grew aware that he was hungry, some one knocked at the outer door — a
  timid knock, signalling a person of no importance. He went to open, and saw a
  man whose face he remembered.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'What is it this time?' he asked good-humouredly.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'Well, sir, I should like, if you will allow me, to draw your attention to an
  ingenious little contrivance — an absolute cure for smoky chimneys.'
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The speaker seemed to be about forty; he was dressed with painful neatness,
  every article of his clothing, from hat to boots, exhibiting some trace of
  repair. He stood with his meagre form respectfully bent, on his drawn features
  a respectfu