some were M and some, F, we shall speak of them as M, for it matters not a hoot.
Each scientist set off each morning on his own, hunting his prey—the Great Theory. Not to kill it, but to capture it, tame it, and display it for all to see.
The forest teemed with Great Theories, no two alike. However, they were all very elusive beasts, and the hunters hardly ever caught one.
S1 was an exception. When he was still a shock of greasy youth, he caught a Great Theory and became quickly renowned for his skill. Only he knew that he had fallen asleep in a glade, and the Great Theory had stumbled over him and woken him up. He leapt to his feet in fright, thereby jerking a line he had forgotten to tie up neatly, and the Theory, who was just rising to its feet, stumbled again, tangled in the mess of S1's sloppy work. It only remained for S1to properly hobble the beast and lead it back to S1's village, where the young hunter was immediately lauded as a great hero (it was indeed, a splendid Great Theory). S1 became known far and wide, and was feted by the King. No one except S1 and the Great Theory ever knew the true story of the capture, but to have netted such a magnificent catch at such an early age boded a brilliant future for the young scientist.
But though S1 hunted diligently, the flame of his reputation dimmed a little with each passing season, as he made no other catches, saw no other Great Theories, and had not even heard a Theory's swishing as it rushed through the forest. And each year, S1 grew older, as we all do.
One night, S1 had a dream so vivid that he remembered every detail when he woke, and he knew sure as he knew his own prowess, that the dream spoke the truth.
And this is what the dream said:
"Go to your most secret spot in the forest, and a Great Theory will be waiting for you there, roped to a tree. Take hold of her bridle and she will be yours."
~
The second scientist, S2, was a curious sight in the forest. Tramping before the dew dried, braving wind, sleet, ice, fog, and pouring rain, S2's skill in tracking was only just exceeded by the graceful fleetness of the lovely Great Theory that he sought. They had been so close to each other for so many years that you would have thought they were almost on speaking terms. But he never quite caught her. Birds often shat on his head, but he never noticed. Fantastic flowers bloomed, but they were not to his interest. His eyes focussed only on the trail of the Great Theory. S2 praised his Great Theory to others, but as he was a puny fellow with skin like a toad, everyone only laughed at him, even his own mother and father, whose only words to him if they spoke to him at all, were "Why don't you do real work as we do!" So he rarely spoke now, except to himself.
And one night, S2 had a dream, as real and convincing as the dream of S1. And this is what S2's dream said:
"Go to your most secret spot in the forest, and the Great Theory that you have followed all these many years will waiting for you, roped to a tree. Take hold of her bridle and she will be yours. Lead her home and no one will ever laugh at you again."
~
No one ever laughed at the third scientist. On the contrary, his whole village ran out to meet him when he strode wearily into sight of an evening. They led him to his house, where his wife tenderly massaged his feet while he ate and drank the good meal that she had laid before him. And after his wife had wiped the grease from his elbows, he spoke to the waiting throng. And all the village trembled at his day's exploits, including the latest thrilling slip of his fearsome prey. Although he was handsome as a new coin, many listeners closed their eyes so as to hear his voice better. For the voice of S3 could make the nightingale faint in envy. His tales were so exciting, the Great Theory always so near his grasp, its breath so terrifying, that wenches often did faint, and needed his reviving arm to be brought to life again.
Between S3 and his
Each scientist set off each morning on his own, hunting his prey—the Great Theory. Not to kill it, but to capture it, tame it, and display it for all to see.
The forest teemed with Great Theories, no two alike. However, they were all very elusive beasts, and the hunters hardly ever caught one.
S1 was an exception. When he was still a shock of greasy youth, he caught a Great Theory and became quickly renowned for his skill. Only he knew that he had fallen asleep in a glade, and the Great Theory had stumbled over him and woken him up. He leapt to his feet in fright, thereby jerking a line he had forgotten to tie up neatly, and the Theory, who was just rising to its feet, stumbled again, tangled in the mess of S1's sloppy work. It only remained for S1to properly hobble the beast and lead it back to S1's village, where the young hunter was immediately lauded as a great hero (it was indeed, a splendid Great Theory). S1 became known far and wide, and was feted by the King. No one except S1 and the Great Theory ever knew the true story of the capture, but to have netted such a magnificent catch at such an early age boded a brilliant future for the young scientist.
But though S1 hunted diligently, the flame of his reputation dimmed a little with each passing season, as he made no other catches, saw no other Great Theories, and had not even heard a Theory's swishing as it rushed through the forest. And each year, S1 grew older, as we all do.
One night, S1 had a dream so vivid that he remembered every detail when he woke, and he knew sure as he knew his own prowess, that the dream spoke the truth.
And this is what the dream said:
"Go to your most secret spot in the forest, and a Great Theory will be waiting for you there, roped to a tree. Take hold of her bridle and she will be yours."
~
The second scientist, S2, was a curious sight in the forest. Tramping before the dew dried, braving wind, sleet, ice, fog, and pouring rain, S2's skill in tracking was only just exceeded by the graceful fleetness of the lovely Great Theory that he sought. They had been so close to each other for so many years that you would have thought they were almost on speaking terms. But he never quite caught her. Birds often shat on his head, but he never noticed. Fantastic flowers bloomed, but they were not to his interest. His eyes focussed only on the trail of the Great Theory. S2 praised his Great Theory to others, but as he was a puny fellow with skin like a toad, everyone only laughed at him, even his own mother and father, whose only words to him if they spoke to him at all, were "Why don't you do real work as we do!" So he rarely spoke now, except to himself.
And one night, S2 had a dream, as real and convincing as the dream of S1. And this is what S2's dream said:
"Go to your most secret spot in the forest, and the Great Theory that you have followed all these many years will waiting for you, roped to a tree. Take hold of her bridle and she will be yours. Lead her home and no one will ever laugh at you again."
~
No one ever laughed at the third scientist. On the contrary, his whole village ran out to meet him when he strode wearily into sight of an evening. They led him to his house, where his wife tenderly massaged his feet while he ate and drank the good meal that she had laid before him. And after his wife had wiped the grease from his elbows, he spoke to the waiting throng. And all the village trembled at his day's exploits, including the latest thrilling slip of his fearsome prey. Although he was handsome as a new coin, many listeners closed their eyes so as to hear his voice better. For the voice of S3 could make the nightingale faint in envy. His tales were so exciting, the Great Theory always so near his grasp, its breath so terrifying, that wenches often did faint, and needed his reviving arm to be brought to life again.
Between S3 and his
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