The name of the story is Rip Van Weidman

Here's a brief synopsis:

Rip Van Weidman hadn't really pursued a career, life had found an agreable situation for him.

Nonetheless he often felt overwhelmed by the work, the deadlines, and the stress of
his everyday duties and responsibilities.

On these occasions he would often ride off on his bicycle into the nearby mountains to relax and unwind.

On one of these excursions he met up with a curious group of people.  They were dressed in robes and chanted, rather than spoke, using words that were unfamiliar to him.  They had finished what must have been a rather strenuous game and were drinking heartily.

They greeted Rip Van Weidman and offered him some of their drink.  It was delicious and Rip Van Weidman quickly had a second, a third, and maybe a fourth.

The strange group departed and Rip Van Weidman felt tired and a little light headed.  He decided to sit down by a tree to take a short nap before riding back to town on his bicycle.


A young girl walking by startled Rip and he woke up suddenly.   He had been asleep for 10 years!  In that time The Government had given everyone cell phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, and software.  Everyone had learned to make CDs and DVDs of their own.

Rip Van Weidman felt confused and humbled but found his bicycle nearby and was able to ride it home.  He was greatly relieved when he found his two cats still alive but they were more than a little pissed off after having had to fend for themselves for 10 years.  His vegetable garden was overgrown with weeds but salvageable.  And on the table in his kitchen were the cell phone, digital camera, laptop computer, and software that The Government had left for him.

Rip Van Weidman decided that once the batteries were charged up he would make a determined effort to learn how to use all these gadgets and catch up with the rest of the world.

Also, for it had made quite an impression, he also was going to try to find what out the group of people in the mountains had given him to drink.


Rip Van Weidman's future is now in your hands.  It is time for the Course Evaluation.  Here are some questions to think about when you complete the evaluation.