Misled Yet Again
Do all of the inhabitants of this new world make it a practice to mislead newcomers? I have found out that the woman, whose name turned out to be Sister Margaret, was lying about having actual water that would quench my thirst forever. She was speaking metaphorically, and about a death cult, no less.
It began promisingly enough with a meal and idle chatter about topics in which I had almost no knowledge or interest. I did not know what these "sports teams" she mentioned were. I did investigate my drink, but it appeared to be normal water.
As I finished my meal, I asked, "What about the living water you mentioned earlier?"
Sister Margaret immediately became more animated. "You are truly interested?"
"What fool would not be?"
She was so pleased, I was certain the water would soon be mine. But then she launched into a complex description of sins, the fall of humankind, and how we could only be redeemed by accepting the sacrifice of someone who died three or four thousand years ago -- it was hard for me to keep track by that point in time, to be honest.
"This water is not real, then?" I finally sputtered indignantly.
"It certainly is!" And she seemed to believe it!
I had run into such total believers back in my world, but somehow did not expect them here. I should have known better. I contented myself with nodding at the appropriate points in her speech. She eventually asked, "So? Will you make a leap of faith into a new life?"
"I will certainly consider it at length." I did not tell her at what length, though. If nothing else, this practice of "confession" would keep me from it. I would spend most of the rest of my days confessing prior acts that Sister Margaret and others have labelled sins.
I thanked her for the meal and left. On my way out I stole several more pairs of pants.
It began promisingly enough with a meal and idle chatter about topics in which I had almost no knowledge or interest. I did not know what these "sports teams" she mentioned were. I did investigate my drink, but it appeared to be normal water.
As I finished my meal, I asked, "What about the living water you mentioned earlier?"
Sister Margaret immediately became more animated. "You are truly interested?"
"What fool would not be?"
She was so pleased, I was certain the water would soon be mine. But then she launched into a complex description of sins, the fall of humankind, and how we could only be redeemed by accepting the sacrifice of someone who died three or four thousand years ago -- it was hard for me to keep track by that point in time, to be honest.
"This water is not real, then?" I finally sputtered indignantly.
"It certainly is!" And she seemed to believe it!
I had run into such total believers back in my world, but somehow did not expect them here. I should have known better. I contented myself with nodding at the appropriate points in her speech. She eventually asked, "So? Will you make a leap of faith into a new life?"
"I will certainly consider it at length." I did not tell her at what length, though. If nothing else, this practice of "confession" would keep me from it. I would spend most of the rest of my days confessing prior acts that Sister Margaret and others have labelled sins.
I thanked her for the meal and left. On my way out I stole several more pairs of pants.