“I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at, Silica,” said Mordrin.
“Think about it. You’re a powerful demigod who can grant wishes and lives forever. I am a water nymph who has seen the dawn of time,” replied Silica.
“Your point?” asked the unicorn.
“How can humans ever understand the importance of thinking further than tomorrow?” said the nymph.
“Oh, I see what you mean. Humans have history. They can look back and see how things have changed and how their actions affect the future,” said Mordrin.
“Yes, but it’s usually the elders who do that. The young are too busy planning their next conquest,” said Silica.
“What would you have us do?” questioned the unicorn.
“We do have the oracles. They could play a greater part in the destiny of the humans,” answered the nymph.
“Too much ritual. We need someone who speaks as a grandmother by telling stories,” said Mordrin.
You have found the answer, my friend. Who will be our teller of tales?” asked Silica.
There is an old, feeble man who tells tales of animals who behave as humans do,” said the unicorn.
“Perfect. Humans will listen to the meaning without trying to correct the ending. Humans get offended when their weaknesses see the light of day,” the nymph said.
“His name is Aesop, and he was born into slavery,” said Mordrin.
“Excellent, he won’t talk down to the street people. His stories will inspire the ruling class to improve their outlook,” Silica said.
“Leave the rest to me. As you said, I am the granter of wishes, so it’s time to do that,” Mordrin said with a wry smile.
That night, the unicorn came to the storyteller in his dream and offered to make him a great muse—a teller of tales loved by humans for eternity.
The man awoke and headed straight for the agora, where he sat and told his tales to all who would listen.
The rest, as they say, is history.
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