Sunday, April 28, 2024

Approaches to Proselytization

One day came a prophet to the city who already in the country had inspired many followers, and he said, "Heed! He exists, the god who is called Ryabunav because of his thunder and because of his rain, Tulanav. As Ptiggo he causes the sun to rise and while Ohheph watches its setting, and between he is Xwud the judge. Heed the preventer of rout Quordn and Bhaeg the router! He gives to the faithful and takes from the unfaithful, and in either case he calculates perfectly, for he is Ithrew."
The people of the city listened and said this. "Who has more names than one?"
"An exile does."
"A criminal certainly. A heinous one who has been driven out from every other city."
"Think you rather that he is an indecisive god and childish? My son one day thinks he is a bull and the next a hound."
"Whoever he is, he will forgive me for refusing him my prayers, for I have not the time for them that are as lengthy as that."
The prophet withdrew among jeers such as those.
The following day, a prophet to the city came and spoke in this wise. "Heed the word of the mightiest god!" Then he shrugged. "But why should I speak of it? Likely you have never heard of him and are ignorant in all matters. Which road takes me to the next city?"
The people of the city, without exception, soon worshipped that god.
Finis

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