ax, when time stopped.
With my uncle right beside me I tried to hold my position as best as I could. I knew he would be angry with me if I moved. But I was holding the ax above and behind my head. The strain was too much for me. I had to let the ax fall beside me. Just as the ax hit the ground I felt a blow to the side of my head.
"Why do you always forget what I tell you. Hold your position and if you can't then look slowly about to see if anyone is looking in your direction. Your life depends on it," my uncle said angrily.
I rubbed the side of my head and said, "Is it safe?"
"Of course it's safe, or else I wouldn't be talking to you. Remember to be aware at all times, while time is moving, and that way you'll know when it's safe to move when time stops."
My uncle looked quickly around and sat on a log.
"Come, sit with me," he said.
He took his time before he said anything again, until he asked, "What are the rules for timestopping?"
I sat up stiffly and spoke as if I was in church. My uncle made me memorizes his rules. He always told me my life depended on knowing them.
"One - be alert at all times, even when asleep."
"Why?"
"So that when time stops, I know where everyone around me is at all times."
"Next."
"Two - remain motionless yet be totally relaxed."
"Why?"
"I remain motionless for two reasons. First so that if time resumes suddenly no one around me notices that I am a timestopper, and secondly so that I can escape the notice of a rogue timestopper.
And I remain relaxed to conserve my energy, because I can not tell how long the stop in time will last."
"Next."
"Three - never initiate a stop in time unless my life is in danger."
"Why?"
"For three reasons. Firstly I do not have the energy to initiate a stop in time and make it last. Secondly to avoid the temptation to use my abilities for personal gain. And thirdly to avoid the attention of a rogue timestopper."
  "And lastly."
"Four - keep my mind clear of all thoughts while time is stopped."
"Why?"
This was the part I never understood and I always hesitated here.
I could sense my uncle's anger, as he again asked, "WHY?"
"For two reasons. First to prevent change from happening, and second to prevent myself from going crazy."