Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson
  • I. I walk down the street.
    • There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost.....I am helpless;
      • it isn't my fault.
    It takes forever to find a way out.
  • II. I walk down the same street.
    • There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place;
      • but it isn't my fault.
    It still takes a long time to get out.

  • III. I walk down the same street.
    • There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in....it's a habit.
      • My eyes are open. I know where I am.
    It is my fault. I get out immediately.

  • IV. I walk down the same street.
    • There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
  • V. I walk down a different street.
couch-potato Reviewed by couch-potato on . Autobiography in Five Short Chapters Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson I. I walk down the street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost.....I am helpless; it isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. II. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place; but it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. Rating: 5