(10-12-2023, 06:12 PM)mikesez Wrote:

(10-12-2023, 05:44 PM)Lucky2Last Wrote: So nothing.

Right.
But it's a dumb question.

An allegory, inspired by Mikesez:

The Ascent of Folly

In the days of the ancients, when the sun danced upon the land, and the winds whispered the secrets of the world, there lived a tribe, a people bound by their ways and traditions, guided by their wise leader, Grey Eagle.

Grey Eagle was a beacon of wisdom and guidance, his heart filled with love for his people. His days were many, but even the mightiest oak must one day bow to the winds of time. And so, on a day when the sky wept tears of sorrow, Grey Eagle passed away, leaving his tribe in the divided and dismayed.

As the tribe gathered to mourn their leader, they were torn by a great dispute. Two factions arose, each with a vision for the future. One group believed in staying in their bountiful homeland, where the land provided plenty, and each person could fend for themselves. The other faction feared the occasional wolf attacks that plagued a small group of outlying villagers. Though these attacks were infrequent, they inspired fear and unrest.

The leader of those who wished to stay, a wise elder named Strong Oak, suggested that the outlying villagers should strengthen themselves and protect against the wolves. But it was a charismatic orator named Swift Wind, who swayed the hearts of the tribe with his honeyed words. Swift Wind spoke of equality and unity. Pointing to the mountain peak, high above the world, he painted a vivid picture of a place where no harm could befall them. He said that the tribe must ascend the mighty mountain, together, as one, and, in turn become mighty themselves. And so, with hope in their hearts, the people chose to follow Swift Wind on this treacherous journey.

As they began their ascent of the towering mountain, the land grew harsh, and resources became scarce. Swift Wind, in his newfound role as leader, ordered that he would ration food for the sake of the people. He spoke of sacrifice and endurance, and his words still found fertile ground in the hearts of the tribe. While he remained comfortable and well fed, many of the tribe's people began to suffer. 

One fateful night, as they climbed ever higher, a wolf descended upon them, swift and silent as the shadows. It claimed the life of a young boy, the son of a Strong Oak who had argued against leaving their homeland.

The tribe gathered to mourn the loss, tears falling like rain. But Swift Wind, in his twisted wisdom, pointed to the fallen child and said, "See, my brothers and sisters, this tragedy is not isolated to the outskirts. We are making progress. The wolves no longer discriminate."

But Strong Oak, a resolute man, rose above the murmurs of agreement. He spoke with clarity and strength, saying, "If a herd of buffalo is running towards a cliff, it is the one that turns around who makes the most progress. What have we gained from Swift Wind's empty promises, my people? We are starving, and yet the wolf still attacks. Would it not be better to run back now, where we can find food and have strength to fight the wolf? We have climbed to great heights, but our hearts remain heavy, and our future uncertain. Is there one among us that can show how our lives have been improved by Swift Wind?"

A silence fell upon the crowd, and it seemed that the wisdom of the ancients was whispering to the people once again. Swift Wind said nothing. 

It was then that Stone Head, stood up to speak. The tribe let out a collective groan. It was well known that Stone Head was the village idiot, but he desperately wanted to prove them wrong. In his best attempt to sound wise, he said, "We stand on the precipice of the unknown, and our people are considering your words, Strong Oak. Even though I am widely considered to have the least wisdom in the tribe, and many think me to be really, really dull-minded, like, really dumb, I ask them to reconsider and weigh me by the strength of my following argument... Strong Oak, you ask dumb questions. Let's keep voting for Swift Wind everybody!"

The End.

You ruined my story, Mikey.

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