GOD AND MANY GODS
In the city of Kilafis a sophist stood on the steps of th Temple and preached many gods. And the people said in their hearts, "We know all this. Do they not live with us and follow us wherever we go?"
Not long after, another man stood in the market place and spoke unto the people and said,
"There is no god." And many who heard him were glad of his tidings, for they were afraid of gods.
And upon another day there came a man of great eloquence, an he said, "There is
but one God." And now the people were dismayed for in their hearts they feared the judgment of one God more than that of many gods.
That same season there came yet another man, and he said to the people, "There are three gods,
and they dwell upon the wind as one, and they have a vast and gracious mother who is also
their mate and their sister."
Then everyone was comforted, for they said in their secret, "three gods in one must needs disagree over our failings, and besides, their gracious mother will surely be an advocate for us poor weaklings."
Yet even to this day there are those in the city of Kilafis who wrangle and argue with each other
about many gods and no god, and one god and three gods in one, and a gracious mother of gods.
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