NME: Encoded Tales Vol.1

This literary brain teaser is made of short stories that are written in codes, encoded format and again in normal format. Your brain decodes words as you read these stories. You will enjoy the stories while challenging your mind at the same time.
What is encoded format?
In an encoded format, the alphabets of regular writing are replaced by similar looking alphabets, numbers, characters, signs and symbols that closely represent the regular spelling. The encoding is minimal and the reader should be able to guess the correct spelling quickly. For example this paragraph can be encoded by replacing “i” with “!” and “s” with “5”, see below.
!n an encoded format the alphabet5 of regular wr!t!ng are replaced by 5!m!lar look!ng alphabet5, number5, character5, 5!gn5 and 5ymbol5 that clo5ely repre5ent the regular 5pell!ng. The encod!ng !5 m!n!mal and the reader 5hould be able to gue55 the correct 5pell!ng qu!ckly.
A mental challenge that awakens your mind and mental capacity. No matter if English is your first, second or third language, you will be pleasantly surprise about the ability of your brain decoding skill. Each story is written in codes and regular format so you can measure your decoding time.
What is decoding time?
The amount of time the reader spends to decode the encoded words can be measured by the difference in time spent reading the encoded format versus the time spent reading the regular story. First measure your reading time in each format. Then calculate your decoding time using the following formula.

A = (Reading time of encoded format in seconds _ Reading time of regular format in seconds)
B = word count
Dt (S/100W) = Decoding Time (seconds per hundred words)
Dt= 100 x A / B

You can try the following practice.
First read the encoded format, and remember to measure your reading time in seconds. Then read the normal format and measure your reading time in seconds. Using the above formula, calculate your decoding time.

Let's read an example from the book. Start measuring your reading time in each format in seconds.
Ready, Set, ..., Go

*** Encoded Format ***
“Th3 NME !s w3ll ph!nanc3d and conn3ct3d to th3 pol!t!cal syst3m” s3d th3 stud3nt prot3st3r !n an !nt3rv!3w !n TV. P3dro slowly approach3d th3 old TV, turn3d !t ophph, and th3n gra663d th3 wh!t3 and p!nk da!sy phlow3rs and th3 wat3r 6ottl3 63phor3 h3ad!ng out. !t waz a 63aut!phul sunny Sunday. Th3 walk 63cam3 mom3nts oph phr33dom and sol!tud3 w!th past m3mor!3s.

*** Normal Format ***
“The enemy is well financed and connected to the political system” said the student protester in an interview in TV. Pedro slowly approached the old TV, turned it off, and then grabbed the white and pink daisy flowers and the water bottle before heading out. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday. The walk became moments of freedom and solitude with past memories.
Calculate your decoding time.

The more you read an encoded tale format, the faster your brain decodes, resulting in faster decoding time.
Since the encoding rules changes from one published volume to another one, the challenges and decoding time will be different in each volume. The possibilities are endless, and your brain will be in continuous learning and decoding mode. It is normal to feel more alert after each practice.

Try encoded tales, and give us an review to report your decoding times, so others can have a baseline for comparison. But remember, you are not competing with others. You are actually competing against your best decoding time.
Now, challenge your mind, and have fun.

Age group: 14+
Category: Fiction, Short story, Literary brain teaser