The Talking Fireplace

In many novels or films, one of the most comforting places can be a fire place. Characters always seem to sit and have a quality chat with one of their mentor figures. My invention for Oskar is the talking fireplace. If Oskar placed an object that belonged to his dad on top of the mantle, then the fire place would morph into a figure of his dad. The firery figure has all of the same characteristics as if the person was still alive. The soothing flames will help Oskar get over his fear of fire.

This invention could be useful to Oskar because he would still be able to confide in his father's spirt in times of strife. The fire place could help Oskar in the mourning process, and could remind him that he is still there. "I could invent a teakettle that reads in Dad's voice, so I could fall sleep, or maybe a set of kettles that sings the chorus of "Yellow Submarine". (1) Instead of a teakettle that can only read and tell jokes, why not actually speak to the person's spirit while sitting next to a comforting talking fire place?