Cat's Cradle

Cat's Cradle is a game in which you have a circle of string that is threaded amongst your fingers and is then manipulated to form various patterns, never becoming a tangle if done correctly. The ideal is to be able to do this using the same string while adding other fingers as well. The added player must know and follow the pattern however. Those who wish to enter may do so only when taught the complexities of the holder. The string remains intact as each person threads it between their fingers. It is a closed circle. While it seems a simple thing to do, it has its complications. Human relationships are something like Cat's Cradle. Some groups are the closed "piece of string" and while various patterns are made within, to provide variety, the string stays intact. Only those invited may enter. The manipulator sees that the simple bit of cord is controlled carefully and in a secretly complex way, thus controlling the game going while making it appear open and simple. The controller weaves the web to fascinate and generate  the effect of change, just enough to satisfy but not enough to become a true change. When another player enters the game, the object is to confound and confuse the new-comer and thus conquer. We have all experienced this phenomenon and have been caught in this sort of maze. It is difficult to break, as difficult as it is to break the string in Cat's Cradle. I know of people who pocket their bit of cord, trotting it out at will enough to charm and mesmerize but not enough to allow their secret to be known. For years I was victim of such a joker. He was a delightful chap and had worked up a mystery game wherein, he showed you a deck of cards and told you to choose one and show it to him. He said that while only he and I could see it, The Wizard knew the card. When you protested, he said he would call the Wizard who would say the right card. He called and in a few moments, handed the phone over and the Wizard told you the correct card you held in your hand. I was always fascinated because he gave the called Wizard no hints, in fact, there was no conversation.The Wizard never failed. Finally, Ted, that was his name, confessed his trick. He had a few people who were his Wizards and when he called them and asked for The Wizard, they knew what the call was about and began to name the card suits. When the right one was named, Ted cleared his throat and then The Wizard began to say the numbers, finally learning which it was when Ted stopped him by asking the Wizard to speak to his guest and tell what the card was. I should have guessed what he was up to but somehow did not. I was very young at the time. Ted, the trickster, now gone on to play his tricks in another space I presume, never told how the trick was done but his widow divulged the secret finally. The trick felt like true magic.  Cat's Cradle is a game of skill unlike a trick such as Ted's generous one, well worth the effort of playing. No Batteries Required.