Thursday, May 29th, 2003
A Story far too lacking in subtlety to be an Allegory or a Fable
Once there was an elephant. This elephant prided himself on his memory; he could recall events reaching back years into his past. In this way he retained knowledge of slights large and small, years after they had occurred. Rather than move on, the elephant clutched those slights and used them to form grudges. However, the elephant could be so jovial and pleasant that few realized the extent of his grudge-holding.
In the same time there was a dormouse. This mouse had a fairly shoddy memory - he was absent-minded and liable to, without harmful intent, forget things of great and small import. The mouse knew this was a failing, and was always sorry for his transgressions, but invariably would forget future events. However, the mouse's memory enabled him to easily move beyond people's faults and see others in a positive light despite their past failings.
The elephant lived a miserable life, unable to see past his grudges and trust anybody. The mouse lived a relatively happy life, for though he erred he nonetheless worked to better himself, and saw the good in others.
*****
When someone turns to you and says, "I really should kill you someday," you shouldn't have to worry and wonder if he was joking.
*****
The song of the day is either transparently the Smashing Pumpkins' "Zero" or only-translucently Tenacious D's "Cosmic Shame."