Tales and Dialogues

Written by Cory Trout, these short stories are meant to teach and cause the mind to think. Some of the stories personify certain emotions or concepts, akin to writers of old.

SLUMBER AND WAKEFULNESS SPEAK TO EACH OTHER

I, whose name is Wakefulness, said unto Slumber, “To sleep is good, but to be awake is very good,” unto which Slumber replied, “The waking world is where life’s sorrows are felt; therefore, to sleep and dream is better.” I replied, “Dreams are but fiction, which you can hardly control; yet life is real and can be made wonderful.” Slumber objected, saying, “Dreams are whimsical and better than waking life.” I answered, “But if you dream for ever, then you will never truly have anything,” to which Slumber replied, “I can have anything in a dream.” I said unto Slumber, “I have more of reality than you, but you have more imagination than I.”

THE DOVE AND THE LION

The solitary dove said unto itself, “I am at peace with others, but I am alone. I am neither hated nor loved. I have tranquility in the world, yet I am disquieted. My tongue tastes wholesome things, but my heart is sick. My mind is undisturbed, yet my thoughts are frayed. I see smiling faces, but no smiling eyes. I hear many words, but no sweet melody.”

The warring lion said unto itself, “I have no peace with other tribes, yet I am adored by the one at my side. I am hated, but also loved. My thoughts are troubled, but my mind is soothed. I do not often eat, but my heart is like a flower in its bloom. My enemies show their angry faces, yet two eyes smile at me. I hear the clanking of terrible swords throughout the land, but in the bed are sweet words.”

LOVE AND LUST CONVERSE

The earth was visited by Love and Lust, who had been arguing with one another. Love said unto Lust, “See, the people cherish love. Those who have it rejoice, and those without it mourn and seek it.” Lust replied, “Behold, the people lust. Those who have nought desire much, and those with much seek more, whether power, flesh, or silver.” Love looked about and said, “Their hearts melt for love.” Lust replied with frustration, “Their souls seek that which gives pleasure, and they submit to it with knees bent and hands grounded,” unto which Love said, “That which brings peace and happiness is desirable, being clean.” Lust responded with irritation, “That which gives pleasure is better, and though unclean, it is nevertheless exciting.” Love said, “Many would give up everything for love, and some have gone to the grave over it,” to which Lust replied, “Look and see that the people do anything to obtain their desires. And consider how many have died in their pursuits, showing that lust is stronger.” Love said while looking at the world, “Love is pure, and the people know it.” Lust replied while looking at the one who spoke, “Lust is desired, and the people grovel over it.”

SORROW SPEAKS TO BEAUTY

I, whose name is Sorrow, said unto Beauty, whose surname is Love, “I have spoken much to you, and you more to me,” unto which Beauty replied, “It is because of my fondness of you that I speak so many words.” I said unto the one I adore, “I am nought but a shadow to you, having shape but no substance, beside which you erect walls that I cannot circumvent.” Beauty replied, “When I am close, adore me; when far away, think on other things, but keep me in your mind.” I kept silence and looked away from Beauty, surnamed Love, who became quiet before coming near with a dejected soul, speaking words both youthful and downcast, which drew my heart and mind, after which bubbles and an array of colors enveloped us, with darkness creeping and walls standing. I am Sorrow, now surnamed Perplexity.