Island wide. The compilation entitled `Rock Lessons', is the first published work by writer Ezra Ararat.

A long-time bartender with the Coral Beach Club in Paget, Mr. Ararat says he's been writing since he was a child. "I've written all my life, since I was about 11. I still have some of those stories and read them and wonder what made me write them way back then.'' "Much of the success of my stories comes from children who stayed at Coral Beach over the years.'' explains Mr. Ararat. "They were my greatest critics and my greatest inspiration. I used to read my stories to them and get their impressions, often I made adjustments until they worked for the children.'' `Rock Lessons' contains 11 short stories. "Each has a moral and a lesson that is not only applicable to children but to adults as well'' says Mr. Ararat.

He insists that there is wide appeal for the material. "My stories capture the imagination and hold a child's attention -- I have found that they are also particularly entertaining to the elderly.'' "There are 11 stories in there and I've found that there is one for everyone on earth. It is funny how that worked out but it's so true.'' Admitting that the stories are near and dear to him, Mr. Ararat says that the choice to make the characters animals and insects, is borne out of his love of nature and natural history.

`Rock Lessons' "I graduated from a two and a half year course in botany, given by the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and have always observed the behaviour of animals and insects.'' Published by the Writers' Machine, over 400 copies of `Rock Lessons' have been scooped up in less than a month. "Many guests at Coral Beach have bought copies and are planning to read the stories in their primary school classrooms and several copies have sold at Francis Patton and West Pembroke.'' Revealing that he is full of stories to be told, Mr. Ararat says he decided to finally get published after pressure from guests at the hotel. "They kept telling me that they thought the stories were good enough to be published and suggested that I do something more with them.'' Retailing at $10 a copy, `Rock Lessons' is available Island wide.