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A Fable about Authority

They were a proud and hardy people who prospered peacefully in their native land, despite their Gods' vernal demands for still-beating hearts of ten virgins. Year after year, somber priests - who represented the Gods - made certain this grisly custom remained the constant way.

Then came a fateful spring morn when one of the black balls rolled to a stop before the Chief's own thirteen year old daughter.

Time, too, halted as no one in the stunned assembly breathed. This included the disbelieving Chief, for after all, there were eighty-plus other girls making up the selection gauntlet.

But then the Chief bowed his head and said, "So be it!" and walked away. So the ceremony continued, the tally met, and the priests retired to prepare for the morrow's bloody rituals.

Great, as well, was their relief. For had the Chief balked, how would they have explained their exacting Gods?

Thus, they may have died happy.

For discovered morning come, the bleeding gashes of their cross-cut throats provided no clues.

Over the years, though, none were more appreciative of their passing than the subsequent scores of surviving young ladies.

Moral: Big Guy on the ground quashes Big Guy in the sky