1 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: Call Zone Media. 2 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 2: Book Club book Club, book Club. 3 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 3: That's the you gotta do it too. It doesn't work. 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 4: I have to do my apologies. No I thought you 5 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 4: to think. Okay, it's try, it's give me one more time. 6 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 3: Club Club Club club Club. 7 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 2: It's the Cool Zone Media book Club, the only book 8 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 2: club run by Cool Zone Media book Club. 9 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 3: The only book club that all your book clubs but 10 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 3: to us. 11 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's right, and only people our age will get 12 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 2: that reference. 13 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 4: Oh god, Yeah, that's crushing because it's all yeah. No, 14 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 4: because you think of the Internet as like basically a 15 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 4: new thing, and then you're you're becoming a boomer. 16 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, I remember when I used a fourteen point 17 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 2: four kps mode. 18 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's doon the whole dial tone. Noise will be 19 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 4: lost in a generation, I know. 20 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 2: Well that's no noise, new mes, no new noise. Musicians 21 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 2: will be able to exist. 22 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,039 Speaker 3: Yeah, tragedy, humanity has been stripped of that. 23 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, it specifically excludes trans women from public discourse 24 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:21,119 Speaker 2: if we get rid of noise bands. 25 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's it's uh, it's transphobic. 26 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 2: I've told this story probably before on air, but one 27 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 2: time I went to go play one of my own shows, 28 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 2: and I play like synthpop, but it's just me and 29 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 2: I'm alone. I'm a trans woman. So I show up 30 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: with this like synthesizer and all this gear to this 31 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 2: bar and someone looks over and goes, oh, I didn't 32 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 2: know there was a noise show tonight. 33 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 4: No, I'm just stereotyped. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you fit 34 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 4: the Yeah, yeah it's yeah. Good on you for confounding 35 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 4: that stereotype. Mugget. 36 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm your book club host Margaret Kiljoy and I 37 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 2: have a rotating it could happen here guest hosts, and 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 2: today I have James James Stout. 39 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, I am happening here today on on this podcast. 40 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 3: That's right. The book my first time on the book 41 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 3: Club podcast. 42 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 2: Well, I'm excited to have you on for this one. 43 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 2: This week, we are going to be reading a story 44 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 2: that I'm really excited about. I don't want to spoil 45 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 2: it too much, but I I don't normally like stuff 46 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 2: with Greek gods in it, but I really like this story. Okay, 47 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 2: that's my Yeah, that's that's my hook. 48 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, Okay, I'm ready to I'm ready to have that 49 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 4: stereotype confounded as well as a type of guy that 50 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 4: likes Greek goats. 51 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 3: It tends not to be a type of guy. 52 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 4: That I enjoy. Happy that the author is not that 53 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 4: type of guy. 54 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 2: No, that author is no type of guy. Sonya Suleiman 55 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 2: writes short speculative fiction inspired by Palestinian folklore. Her work 56 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 2: has appeared Yeah. Her work has appeared in Arab b 57 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 2: Lid Quarterly, Balladi Fantasy, Faia Magazine, Zeno Cultivars, Stories of 58 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 2: Queer Growth, Sees the Press, and Lackington's Magazine. Her stories 59 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 2: have been nominated for a Pushcart, Lammy and Best New 60 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: Weird Awards. In her spare time, she curates the Read 61 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 2: Palestinian Specfic Reading List. Her first collection of short stories, 62 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:26,959 Speaker 2: Munira and the Moon, Stories inspired by Palestinian folklore, is 63 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: available wherever books are sold. You can find her on 64 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 2: social media at Sonia Suleiman, which is s O n 65 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: I A s u l A I m A n 66 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: and her website is her name dot com. 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 3: I'm excited. 68 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, no, yeah, I feel like switch here. 69 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah, this is exciting. Good what a timely choice 70 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:55,880 Speaker 4: as well? 71 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, totally. This story is called Hondala, the Olive, 72 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: the Storm and the Sea, The Little boy raised an 73 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 2: umbrella over his head and looked out over the sea. 74 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: His clothes were tattered, loose stitches of what had been 75 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 2: a carefully sown tunic in pants. His hair was like 76 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 2: a bird's nest. His feet were torn and blistered. The 77 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 2: rain swept down in sheets that shimmered and waved across 78 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 2: land and sea alike. The boy walked on down a 79 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 2: long winding road of stones and sticks. It climbed limestone, bones, 80 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 2: and terraces with trees of flame and broken. He stopped 81 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 2: to look at these, his face to the fires, his 82 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 2: back to the sea. Water and fire wared together, and 83 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,280 Speaker 2: the sky was brightened by the flashes of lightning coursing 84 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 2: through the clouds that hung low like a shroud on 85 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 2: the land. It was half light, either dawn or dusk. 86 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: The weather was wrong and unnatural. The boy looked on 87 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 2: with ageless eyes and a face that had the freshness 88 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 2: of only ten years under the sun. He went where 89 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 2: his tired feet directly to him. If there were three 90 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 2: gods following his step, that was not his concern. They 91 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 2: could offer him no blessing he did not already possess. 92 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 2: If they chose to throw obstacles in his path. He 93 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 2: would climb over them, step by painful step. He had 94 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 2: faith not in gods, but in himself. These gods were 95 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 2: not the fates, but it wouldn't matter if they were. 96 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 2: He would defy them too. It wasn't that he was 97 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 2: proud that he thought himself special from the rest of humanity. 98 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: He defied because he had to survive. One of these 99 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 2: gods ruled the sea, while the other claimed all the skies, 100 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: and the third said to hold the honor of embodying 101 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 2: the virtue of wisdom. He had been ten for a 102 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: very long time now. He was ten years old when 103 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 2: he was born, and at the same moment he lost everything. 104 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:53,159 Speaker 2: He fled his home. He had no choice and became 105 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 2: a refugee. He would remain ten years old until he 106 00:05:56,480 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: returns home again. Some fine day, the rain would end 107 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: and he would grow up. He grimly carried on, allowing 108 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: joy to steal in despite the harrowing path of his 109 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 2: tender feet. Now, let me tell you something before we 110 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,799 Speaker 2: go any further. It's an old story that you should 111 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 2: keep in mind when you hear about this boy's adventure 112 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:20,799 Speaker 2: with the gods. In the old days, a city rose 113 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 2: to look down at a rich land and a deep 114 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: and dark sea. They used to believe it was the 115 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: first of all cities, but that wasn't true. The residents 116 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,239 Speaker 2: only wanted to believe they were the first to solve 117 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 2: the problems and create more that we call civilization. And 118 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,840 Speaker 2: although that city was thriving in their king, a man 119 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 2: who was also a snake, had created many firsts that 120 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 2: were the bedrock of their way of living. They had 121 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 2: no patron god. Don't ask why they needed one. The 122 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 2: story doesn't say. It comes from a time when everyone 123 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 2: had a patron god, and so it was only natural 124 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 2: that in the first of all cities they yearned for 125 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: a god to complete them. It was all very neat 126 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 2: first city, first customs, first marriages, and first patron simple, elegant, 127 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 2: and way back when the gods that came to that 128 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 2: city were eager to compete with each other, two came forward, 129 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 2: an uncle and a niece. Poseidon would have been an 130 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: excellent choice for the young city that would one day 131 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: rule much of the known world through the might of 132 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 2: its navy, but unfortunately for him, he was the butt 133 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 2: of this story. The national narrative pranked the god. They 134 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 2: said he gifted the city with a salt water spring useless. 135 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 2: Someone must have clapped weakly at the spectacle. He wasn't 136 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: very happy with the reception of his miracle and flooded 137 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 2: part of the surrounding countryside just to show them. Athene 138 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 2: was not an agricultural goddess, but a patron of heroes 139 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 2: and technology. Nevertheless, it was fitting that she should win 140 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,679 Speaker 2: the national narrative, drove on by what had already happened. 141 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 2: She was already the city's patron when the so called 142 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: contest began. But it would be inconvene to acknowledge that 143 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 2: she was already the city's patron, and it would make 144 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 2: the story complex inelegant. So Athena gifted the city with 145 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 2: something that was not really hers, to give a new 146 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 2: kind of tree. The tree was a wonder the olive 147 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: it provided fuel and food. It would be the companion 148 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 2: to the engineers, blessed by the goddess, lighting their endeavors 149 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 2: and greasing their mechanisms. Wondrous indeed, So what does this 150 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,559 Speaker 2: have to do with the raggedy orphan and his umbrella. 151 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 2: He was in danger of becoming a symbol, a symbol 152 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,680 Speaker 2: around which a national narrative would be built. If you like, 153 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 2: you could say that it was this peril that drew 154 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 2: the gods to him in the first place. Among these 155 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:49,199 Speaker 2: gods there were two brothers and a daughter, Posidon an Athene, 156 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 2: but also Zeus. The three drew up short when they 157 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 2: saw the boy, the boy with a face like the 158 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 2: risen sun, invisible and ethereal. The gods were everywhere and nowhere, 159 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 2: all at once, and so for the present they were 160 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 2: invisible to the boy. And do you know what else 161 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 2: is everywhere and nowhere, all at once and present? 162 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 3: I is it capitalism? 163 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 2: It is capitalism. And here's some ads for some stuff 164 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 2: probably don't need. And we're back a child, said Zeus. 165 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 2: Of course, if we endow this mortal with blessings and 166 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 2: observe how their fate is changed by them, we will 167 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 2: at last know which of us grants the best of blessings. 168 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,960 Speaker 2: Let this adventure be how we settle our dispute. I 169 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 2: would prefer bloodshed. I could make your grizzled beards run 170 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 2: red if I must set Athene, who peeked, was not 171 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 2: feeling a especially filiole towards her father and uncle. In 172 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 2: that moment, my darling, said Zeus, always so quick to anger. 173 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 2: It's what I love about you, my sweet Besidon only 174 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 2: nodded his head, and these gods took the form of 175 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 2: three travelers, which was very like them. They often disguised 176 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 2: themselves as mortal travelers whenever they wanted to test humanity. 177 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 2: Beside It and Zeus wore gray suits with their hatsats 178 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 2: on their head, their kafias flapping in the wind as 179 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 2: it swept in off the sea. Athene walked beside them, 180 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 2: her long thobe trailing in the dirt of the road. 181 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: It was richly embroidered, a regal testament of her own 182 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 2: mastery of technology and art, united in silk and velvet, 183 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 2: boy said Zeus, it looks like hard times have fallen 184 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 2: upon you. Where are your parents, your family, your friends? 185 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 2: I'm alone, said the boy. We would like to do 186 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 2: something for you, said Poseidon. Would you accept some gifts 187 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 2: from strangers? The boy thought for a moment, Well, I 188 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 2: don't have anyone else to give me gifts anymore, he said, 189 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 2: But what's in it for you? Athena smiled, charmed We 190 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 2: can't decide who among us can give the most the 191 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 2: best gift, so we decided to give them all to 192 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 2: you and see what happens. See what happens, asked the boy. 193 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 2: You don't need to be wary of these gifts, said Zeus. 194 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 2: They are true blessings. You could say that there are 195 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: none more direct and purer than the gifts we have 196 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 2: to share with you. What do you say? It's strange, 197 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,679 Speaker 2: said the boy. Why are you choosing me? Are you 198 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 2: taking pity on me because I'm an orphan and alone? 199 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 2: You say you're not taking advantage of me, But you 200 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 2: wouldn't just admit it if you were. That doesn't make 201 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: any sense. But on the other hand, there can't be 202 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 2: any harm in listening to what you have to say 203 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,560 Speaker 2: to me. Are you sure you are a child of 204 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 2: but ten years? Asked Poseidon. Maybe these gifts of yours 205 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 2: would do more harm than good. How would I know 206 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 2: that they would be of any use to me? 207 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 3: The boy did not let up. 208 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 2: Zeus held up a hand. You are alone and poor, 209 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 2: and you have the nerve to argue with your benefactors, 210 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 2: and at your age too. Athena tilted her head. It 211 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 2: is as you say. You could just listen to what 212 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 2: we have to say on this matter before you accept 213 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 2: our gifts. Taking the initiative, Athena stepped forward and began 214 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:17,559 Speaker 2: her case. The goddess walked over the side of the outcropping. 215 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 2: She made a divot in the soil, and the sapling 216 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 2: grew out of it. The tree that matured before their 217 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: eyes was gnarled and squat clutching the rocky soil with 218 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 2: tenacious roots. It rapidly expanded, becoming a sunshade where none 219 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 2: had been. It was an olive tree. I'll tell you 220 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 2: what the real gift is. It's the one that is 221 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 2: projected of your own accord in the centuries of your wandering. 222 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 2: A symbol of resistance and persistence, its oil provides you 223 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 2: with an inner light to hope in the darkness of 224 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,319 Speaker 2: the many days and nights to come. This light will 225 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 2: be lit from generation to generation on those special days 226 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 2: when you celebrate, and the joy of this light will 227 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 2: shine from many lamps of dazzling colors. Its wood will 228 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 2: be made into rosaries that you can use to count 229 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 2: your days, the days of exile until they end. Their 230 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:07,599 Speaker 2: marbled beauty will be the joy of your craftship and artistry. 231 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 2: The tenacity of this tree inspires and nourishes your inborn 232 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 2: stubbornness refusing to be uprooted and refusing to die. It 233 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 2: is a bastion of strength and resilience, the boy replied 234 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 2: to the goddess. You're offering me a symbol of what 235 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 2: I already have. How will this symbol help me return home? 236 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 2: That is all that matters to me. Memories of festivals 237 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: and joy in my homeland may bring me some comfort 238 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 2: in this lonely road. It's true, yours is an enduring 239 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 2: and sensible gift, I suppose, But is that enough for you? 240 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:40,440 Speaker 2: I have a feeling that isn't what you really want 241 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 2: out of this contest? Or does winning matter so much 242 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 2: to you that you don't care If I'm not exactly 243 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 2: enthusiastic about your offer. Let me be clear. It's a 244 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:52,679 Speaker 2: symbol of what I already am, and I'm in danger 245 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 2: of becoming a symbol myself. So a symbol of a symbol, 246 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 2: isn't that ridiculous on some level? But you aren't a symbol, 247 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 2: said Athene. You're a real child, orphaned and dispossessed. This 248 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 2: is the material reality, and I recognize it. I sympathize 249 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 2: with your plight. Can't you see that you care? 250 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 3: Said the boy? 251 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 2: But why what's in it for you. How young to 252 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 2: be so cynical, exclaimed Athene. Has the world taken such 253 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 2: a toll on you that you're no longer a child 254 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 2: in mind? Truly, this is a pitiful situation, and that's 255 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 2: the problem, said the boy. I don't need your pity. 256 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 2: I need an ally, and that means you will have 257 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 2: to give up something, some of your power and position, 258 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 2: to repair what is broken, to bring the world back 259 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 2: into tune. Only then, when I can go home again, 260 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 2: will I be able to grow up. I want to 261 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 2: be an old man one day and have a new 262 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 2: generation to protect and guide as best I can with 263 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 2: what little wisdom I have. By then, you're trying to 264 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 2: barter with a goddess. The goddess shook her head. It's unbelievable. 265 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 2: The Goddess's gift had multiplied over and over into a 266 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 2: grove of olive trees, stately and fruitful, stood a short 267 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 2: distance away. In her fury, the goddess rushed at the trees. 268 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: She screamed a war cry and hacked off their limbs 269 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 2: with her spear. They sheared off, thrown in all directions, helplessly, 270 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 2: falling to the ground, still screaming, she glared at the 271 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 2: twisted trunks, and they erupted into flame. The wood was 272 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 2: devoured from the inside out. The branches crackled as the 273 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 2: inferno spread, setting the grass alight. She hadn't broken a sweat, 274 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 2: and the whole grove was destroyed, a smoking heap of ruin. 275 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 2: Greasy black clouds of smoke spread up into the sky. 276 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,400 Speaker 2: I didn't want to do this, but I had to. 277 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:43,800 Speaker 2: You're so obstinate. See what you've made me do. The 278 00:15:43,840 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 2: boy looked on at the glare from the fires. He 279 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 2: took a step toward the blaze, his hands unlocked and seeking. 280 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 2: Then he tucked them back behind him and turned away, 281 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 2: his face thrown into shadow. Yes, you can cry about 282 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 2: the destruction you've caused, said the goddess. Nothing will the 283 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 2: trees back. I made you do nothing, you chose to destroy. 284 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 2: All I did was question you, said the boy. You 285 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 2: are the one who couldn't stand a child asking you 286 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 2: to account for your behavior, So you've made everything worse. 287 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 2: The boy pointed at the rapidly blackening trees. Those were 288 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 2: living beings, blessings like you said. They deserve better than this, 289 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: and so do I. I think we're done here, said Athena, 290 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 2: you've refused my blessing, so I leave you with a 291 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 2: curse instead. It's easy for us blessing and cursing as 292 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 2: we please. That should be a lesson to you not 293 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 2: to push your weight around, She laughed, lightly cruelly. She 294 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 2: walked back to stand with her father and uncle. Her 295 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 2: face was reddened, and she trembled with fury as she 296 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 2: tried in vain to calm herself. It was so unseemly 297 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 2: to be made so angry by a pathetic orphan. As 298 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 2: you may have guessed by now, the gods are petty 299 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 2: and volatile, for all their supposed agelessness, perfection and wisdom. 300 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 2: The weaker their opponent, the more galling it is to 301 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,959 Speaker 2: find their power shrugged off and ignored. They can't stand 302 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 2: to be made a mockery of most of all, and 303 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 2: the power difference between Athene and the boy was so stark. 304 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 2: All of her pride was surfacing in the ugliest and 305 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 2: most transparent ways. Beside us. Stepped up and leaned in 306 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 2: close to the boy, throwing out his arm. He took 307 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:24,920 Speaker 2: in the vast, deep dark Mediterranean beyond and said, wherever 308 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 2: my waves break upon the shore, there you will be. 309 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,199 Speaker 2: The world will be open to you a network of 310 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 2: sea roads, from sea to ocean to arterial rivers. Just 311 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 2: think of all the places you will stand because of 312 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 2: this gift of waters. All of the winds in the 313 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 2: four directions will open for you. Currents will drive you 314 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:46,479 Speaker 2: on ever on to meet peoples, and the vast bosom 315 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 2: of the earth. It all awaits to welcome you. The 316 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 2: greatest of all adventures lies at your feet. The far 317 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 2: horizon is my gift to you. The space between you 318 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 2: and that threshold will allide. You, who seem like the 319 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 2: risen sun, will be destined to see further and further shores, islands, continent, worlds, 320 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 2: a dizzying array of experiences and ventures. These worlds will 321 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 2: break open and be generous to you with their bounty 322 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:17,440 Speaker 2: of sensation. If you do not find safe harbor here, 323 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 2: there's always somewhere else, Other minds to know, other scenes 324 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 2: to see. The sea roads are your inheritance. The boy 325 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 2: rubbed his chin. That may be, that may not be. 326 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 2: I have traveled many sea roads and met many mines 327 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 2: and places on this dark earth. The boy lifted a 328 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 2: foot with its bruises and blisters. It seems to me 329 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 2: that I already have your gift. But it is a 330 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:44,439 Speaker 2: strange sort of blessing. It is as I thought, there 331 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 2: is good and bad that comes mixed into it. I 332 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 2: will not always be welcome, and I will often be tired, beaten, 333 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 2: and hungry alone. Poseidon did not know what to say, 334 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 2: so he turned his back on the boy and stood 335 00:18:56,960 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: leaning on his trident, staring pensively out over the waves. 336 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 2: The waves roiled and surged, and slowly the sea was rising. 337 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:07,959 Speaker 2: Before he knew it, the boy was staring down a 338 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 2: great wall of water. The god turned toward him. His 339 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 2: empty hand reached out and struck the boy across the face. 340 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 2: To the god's astonishment, the boy was not thrown to 341 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 2: the ground by the blow the strike of a god. 342 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 2: He took it, And as he took it, the boy 343 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 2: also turned and threw all of that force right back 344 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 2: at Poseidon. This time the god was so shocked, so unprepared, 345 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 2: that he faltered you, he stammered. His divine face was 346 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 2: red and dark, with the beginning of a bruise. Behind him, 347 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:42,679 Speaker 2: the wall of water, a tsunami that would easily have 348 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 2: snuffed the life out of the little boy. Gently dissipated. 349 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,919 Speaker 2: It was an unnatural sight, but then it was an 350 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 2: unnatural tsunami. He the god continued to splutter, this time 351 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:58,280 Speaker 2: turning to Zeus, his brother. He struck me, This mortal 352 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 2: dared strike out at a I demand justice. I returned 353 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 2: to the strike you made, said the boy. He was 354 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 2: still scruffy, his face marred by streaks of mud. The 355 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 2: cheeks were sunken, but showed absolutely no sign of the 356 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 2: god's strike. Everyone witnessed it. You were going to kill me, 357 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,399 Speaker 2: thinking I was easily broken. The gods stared down at 358 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 2: the boy. Somehow, Poseidon was growing even more enraged by 359 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 2: the minute. Then the god broke into sobs. He fell 360 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 2: to his knees and reached out to Zeus, imploring him 361 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 2: and James. You know who else is always there when 362 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 2: you fall to your knees and reach out to implore them? 363 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 3: Sorry, this is very bleak? 364 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:43,919 Speaker 2: Is it? 365 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:45,680 Speaker 3: The goods and services to support this poke? 366 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 2: That's right, all of them, respond to penitent at listeners. 367 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's right. If you're really down, you're looking to 368 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 3: reach out to. 369 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 4: Uh, yeah, we allowed to. I think that's the one 370 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,680 Speaker 4: we call name anymore. Because they got mad that Robert slanted. 371 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:05,439 Speaker 4: Just bleep that out. 372 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 2: Hereah, listener, is up to you to imagine what we 373 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:30,119 Speaker 2: have leaped out, and we're back. He struck me, repeated Poseidon. 374 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,879 Speaker 2: He struck me on the face. He he bruised me. 375 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:36,400 Speaker 2: Zeus stood still, allowing his brother to twine his arm 376 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,880 Speaker 2: around his leg, his other arm out stretched, the hand 377 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 2: reaching out to touch Zeus's beard. It was a formal petition, 378 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:46,159 Speaker 2: a supplication. Zeus could not deny the request, even if 379 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 2: he had wanted to, justice, said Poseide empathetically. I demand justice. 380 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 2: He struck a god, said Athena, playing the impartial role 381 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,360 Speaker 2: of wisdom. It is your place to judge God's and men. 382 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 2: Of course, she had completely forgotten her offer to settle 383 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 2: her dispute with her father and uncle by cracking their 384 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,919 Speaker 2: skulls open. Now she was the very ideal of a 385 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 2: fili old daughter and niece. I witnessed it, and you 386 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 2: can see the bruise as well as I. I'm a child, 387 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:20,119 Speaker 2: and you're a god. You struck me, and so I 388 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 2: struck you back. You're a little snake, hissed Athena. The 389 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,439 Speaker 2: holy olive trees still smoldering on the hillside, and You 390 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:31,200 Speaker 2: don't talk like you are ten years old. You don't 391 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 2: act like you are ten years old. If you were 392 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 2: allowed to roam free, there isn't a god who wouldn't 393 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:39,959 Speaker 2: live in terror of your venomous behavior. You would contaminate 394 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 2: other mortals with your impiety and endanger all Olympus. This 395 00:22:44,840 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 2: is incredible, said the little boy. Yet somehow I am 396 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 2: not surprised. Don't ask me how that can be. Zeus 397 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 2: frowned and stepped out of his brother's hold. We have 398 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 2: another matter to settle first, said Zeus, raising his hand 399 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:00,200 Speaker 2: to quiet his brother and daughter. We have yet to 400 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,159 Speaker 2: determine which of us can provide this child with the 401 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 2: best of blessings. Zeus left Athenis side and stood in 402 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 2: front of the little boy with the threadbare clothes. He 403 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 2: gave a wan smile and placed his hand on the 404 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 2: boy's shoulder affectionately. The child looked impassively on the paternal gesture. 405 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:19,440 Speaker 2: My gift to you is the storms and their rains. 406 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 2: When the opening rains come, the year will roll, and 407 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 2: the land will come back to life. 408 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 3: For you. 409 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:26,879 Speaker 2: Take a look at the wetness that comes down from heaven, 410 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 2: even in their graves, even the dead will be refreshed 411 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:33,160 Speaker 2: by the gathering rainwater that will come from my storms. 412 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: Unlike the lands of other peoples and places where canals 413 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,400 Speaker 2: and irrigation make the land prosperous and fruitful, your land 414 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 2: will rely on the heavens to bring a drink of fresh, 415 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:46,240 Speaker 2: clean water to the hills, man and beast, in every 416 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 2: green thing will be refreshed. The boy fixed Zeus with 417 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 2: a glare. I know it's rude to interrupt, he said, 418 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 2: what you speak of is not a gift you're giving me. 419 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 2: It's a reminder of what I've lost. And believe me, 420 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 2: I don't need a reminder. The land is always with me. 421 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:05,120 Speaker 2: I am part of it. Do you understand it does 422 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:08,120 Speaker 2: not belong to me, but I belong to it. As 423 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:10,600 Speaker 2: for your storms, where I've been and where I'll go, 424 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 2: they can be really bad, cold and harsh and painful. 425 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 2: I can't see what's so much like my home being 426 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 2: gently watered by the rains and the hurricane and the tornado. 427 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 2: In that case, said Zeus, all I can offer is 428 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 2: a love for the land. I have that too. How 429 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:28,919 Speaker 2: can I not love the land that gave me my 430 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 2: life and sustains me even in exile. It's really frustrating 431 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:35,440 Speaker 2: how those who have the most power are so deficient 432 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:39,679 Speaker 2: in common sense. Then a love for the scent of 433 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,640 Speaker 2: water on the earth, bleeding and always to be remembered 434 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 2: wherever you roam. And how is that going to help 435 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 2: me get home? 436 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:47,080 Speaker 3: Said the boy. 437 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,200 Speaker 2: You've watched the other gods offer me symbols and find 438 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 2: things as far as mixed blessings are concerned, and still 439 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:56,119 Speaker 2: you offer something even more useless to me, all the 440 00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 2: while saying you are my benefactor. Zeus raised his hand. 441 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 2: It shook, his face worked, and he lowered his hand 442 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,320 Speaker 2: with effort. Fine, since you have spurned the help and 443 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:09,679 Speaker 2: friendship of all of us, let us see to the 444 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 2: matter of your distasteful and divisive nature. Beside In and 445 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:16,199 Speaker 2: Athena nodded together as they stood side by side on 446 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: the shore. A great storm bled into the skies above, 447 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 2: overshadowing the thick smoke from the olive grove. Livid lightning 448 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 2: ran through the clouds and struck down at the land 449 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 2: and sea. It is time for justice to rain down, 450 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 2: said Athena, divine, perfect justice, which belongs only to the gods. 451 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 2: What are you going to turn him into a snake, 452 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 2: of course, said Athena. 453 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 3: What else. 454 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 2: I'm not going to turn him into anything. Zeus paused, 455 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 2: What did you say you were? He asked, I'm just 456 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 2: a boy. How can you be a boy if you 457 00:25:49,280 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 2: have defied time itself and remained ten years old for decades? 458 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:54,879 Speaker 2: As it seems from the way you argue with us, 459 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 2: I'm included out and excluded in, was the response from 460 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 2: the boy. A lot of people want me to disappear, 461 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 2: but I won't. You're impossible, said Zeus in wonder. There 462 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 2: were no hints of malice in his voice. A mortal 463 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:13,719 Speaker 2: who is beyond my he looked, ask and set beside 464 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 2: h An Athena. He shook his head and muttered again. 465 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:21,320 Speaker 2: He can't exist. He doesn't exist, said Athena beside, and 466 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:23,880 Speaker 2: looked at the other two, and then nodded slowly. There 467 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:27,919 Speaker 2: never was such a boy, There never will be. Storm 468 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,800 Speaker 2: Clouds spread and curled darkly through the skies. Black plumes 469 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 2: of smoke and tongues of flame made the sky look 470 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 2: like the end of days had finally come. The grove 471 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 2: of olive trees through abundant light, a horrid light, a 472 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 2: sickening glow. It was all wrong, But it was what 473 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 2: the gods had done to nature all because a small 474 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 2: boy defied them. It was piteous, is what it was 475 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 2: that nature should have to suffer along with this little 476 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,560 Speaker 2: exiled orphan, as if the burning of the trees, the 477 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 2: rising of the waves, the churning of the skies could 478 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:03,320 Speaker 2: wipe away his little life. But this little boy was tenacious, 479 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:07,240 Speaker 2: like the roots of those olive trees. He could ride 480 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:10,200 Speaker 2: the current and the wave. He could endure the bluster 481 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 2: and the reins of the storm. The boy had evaded 482 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 2: a great peril without even trying. He had avoided becoming 483 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:20,959 Speaker 2: a symbol and becoming fossilized. In a national narrative, there 484 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 2: would be no songs sung about the boy and the 485 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 2: three gods who strengthened him, and of course the people 486 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 2: that he represents a lot of gifts to give this 487 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 2: orphan a kind of cosmic charity or a joke. Perhaps, 488 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:36,359 Speaker 2: Let's see what happens if we drop an inheritance on 489 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:40,400 Speaker 2: the impoverished, See if their personal responsibility could lift them up, 490 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 2: or if the fates decide whether the boy goes home, 491 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 2: whether the boy grows to be a man. Someday the 492 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 2: boy got up from where he sat on the limestone 493 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 2: outcropping and looked at the three gods. 494 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 3: I need. 495 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 2: I want to grow up, he said after a moment. 496 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:58,440 Speaker 2: I've been ten years old for decades. 497 00:27:58,480 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 4: Now. 498 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:00,200 Speaker 2: When can I go home? 499 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:01,439 Speaker 3: Do you even know? 500 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 2: It's not up for you to decide when I get 501 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:07,399 Speaker 2: my homecoming. Even if the fates themselves came down to 502 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:09,679 Speaker 2: me and told me I couldn't ever grow up, that 503 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 2: I'd be as I am forever, I wouldn't believe them. 504 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:15,040 Speaker 2: Only I can bring myself home, and only I can 505 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 2: fulfill my hopes and dreams. As for your gifts, there 506 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 2: isn't one that I don't already have. They are my birthright, 507 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:25,160 Speaker 2: my inheritance as a human being, the right to persist, 508 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 2: to live, to long, to return. The gods were not 509 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 2: quite done with him, though immortal and ages little exile, 510 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:36,880 Speaker 2: said Athena, growing resplendent and warlike, throwing off her disguise 511 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 2: to reveal herself to be the protector of cities, the 512 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 2: patron of heroes. Indeed, she's shone in her bronze armor. 513 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 2: The crest of her helmet waved as she tossed her head, 514 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 2: and the aegis writhe sensually on her breast. I recognize 515 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 2: in you a hero. Maybe the best gift to you 516 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 2: could be my patronage. I have been a patron of 517 00:28:57,080 --> 00:29:02,200 Speaker 2: many heroes in my time, Diomedes, Odysseus, and others. She 518 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: held out an ivory hand to the boy and was 519 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 2: sure to take his hand this time, but the boy 520 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:10,280 Speaker 2: simply looked at it and then up to her divine face, 521 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 2: so beautiful and perfect. I'm just a boy. I want 522 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 2: to grow up. I want to be happy and to 523 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:19,400 Speaker 2: grow old, and to be loved and to love. Just 524 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 2: let me be to walk the path that I have 525 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 2: to walk, and don't get in my way with promises 526 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 2: and pity. I can do it. I have faith in mice. 527 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 2: He looked then at each of the gods, looked them 528 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:35,959 Speaker 2: right in their immortal and ageless faces. He was bold, unimpressed, uncowed. 529 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 2: I know where I've walked with these two feet of mine, 530 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 2: And even if I can't see where I'm going because 531 00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 2: of all this haze of smoke and cloud and rain, 532 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 2: it is my path to take. I have no need 533 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:50,120 Speaker 2: for your blessings or your curses. They are of no 534 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 2: use to me. The greatest of the three Zeus frowned 535 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:57,600 Speaker 2: and tore the sky with one of his thunderbolts. His 536 00:29:57,640 --> 00:29:59,960 Speaker 2: eyes grew flinty when he saw how the boy seemed 537 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:04,080 Speaker 2: neither afraid nor surprised. His face darkened, and he looked 538 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 2: the boy up and down with contempt. There was surprise 539 00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:10,320 Speaker 2: in the god's livid face. The only thing holding him 540 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 2: back was the shame of losing his temper to such 541 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:17,920 Speaker 2: a lowly Being alone, poor, forgotten by everyone, almost unmade. 542 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:21,920 Speaker 2: He couldn't allow himself to incinerate a mortal in front 543 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 2: of his daughter, in front of his brother. There were 544 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:27,120 Speaker 2: so many words that pressed against the barrier of his 545 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:30,760 Speaker 2: own teeth clenched tight. Who do you think you are? 546 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:33,479 Speaker 2: It was Poseidon speaking the words that were blocked by 547 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:37,400 Speaker 2: Zeus's rage. Inwardly, he was somewhat cooled by the thought 548 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 2: that he shared the dishonor the disrespect with his niece 549 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:44,440 Speaker 2: and his great brother, who lords it over everyone. But 550 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:46,320 Speaker 2: he could put on a show for his own self 551 00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:50,480 Speaker 2: respect and for the sake of appearances. Ignored, he only 552 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 2: stewed in his resentment. He could keep heroes from their homecoming, 553 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:57,120 Speaker 2: but not hold the attention of this one little child. 554 00:30:57,640 --> 00:30:59,840 Speaker 2: He was irrelevant to the boy, and that burned in 555 00:30:59,840 --> 00:31:03,600 Speaker 2: his chest. The boy started to walk away from them, 556 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 2: not looking back even for a moment. His dirty little 557 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 2: hands were clutched together behind him, determined to continue on 558 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:13,360 Speaker 2: and meet what lay before him wherever he roamed. He 559 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:15,120 Speaker 2: did not want to fight with the gods. He just 560 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:18,040 Speaker 2: wanted to be on his way, for each step brought 561 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 2: him closer to coming home, and once he returned home, 562 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:24,640 Speaker 2: he could grow up. Athena had said he was a hero, 563 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:28,840 Speaker 2: he didn't feel much like a hero. He was just 564 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:31,760 Speaker 2: a child and a poor living being trying to survive 565 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 2: on this changeable earth. Was that what a hero was? 566 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,640 Speaker 2: These days? Strange times, hard times in the world of 567 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:41,040 Speaker 2: human beings. When a child has to become a hero, 568 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:45,760 Speaker 2: Every hero needs a patron, cried the Great Goddess after him. 569 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,400 Speaker 2: The boy continued to walk away through a field of 570 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 2: waving grasses, green and lush, On and on he walked 571 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:55,640 Speaker 2: as if he didn't hear her at all, neither sulky 572 00:31:55,720 --> 00:31:59,719 Speaker 2: nor hesitant. His path would be struck by himself alone. 573 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 2: He would bring his own world back into tune in time. 574 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 2: One way or another, he would find his way home. 575 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:09,160 Speaker 2: He kept his back turned to the gods. Are you 576 00:32:09,240 --> 00:32:12,200 Speaker 2: not afraid to walk on alone? Cried out Athena in 577 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 2: her glory? Are you not overly proud to spurn our blessings? 578 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:18,959 Speaker 2: Have you not heard the tales of those who defy 579 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:24,160 Speaker 2: us the gods? The boy stopped at a cluster of stones. 580 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:27,840 Speaker 2: They were arranged in a rough line, like pillars or 581 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:31,920 Speaker 2: the monuments of prehistoric builders. On these sentinels were laid 582 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:36,480 Speaker 2: smaller stones. They balanced simply. Some had lost their balance 583 00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:39,520 Speaker 2: or had been disturbed. They lay in small piles all 584 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 2: around where they had fallen or been thrown. He recognized them. 585 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,160 Speaker 2: They were set there by the ancestors to witness their 586 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:49,800 Speaker 2: rights of visitation at some long lost shrine somewhere along 587 00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:53,280 Speaker 2: the horizon. The stones who had served to testify on 588 00:32:53,360 --> 00:32:56,080 Speaker 2: the day of judgment. Let the Great God know that 589 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 2: they had been dutiful on humble pilgrims. Among the stones 590 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,320 Speaker 2: were off rains of water and food, strips of cloth, 591 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 2: and other talismans. Among the bric a brac was a 592 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 2: red umbrella. He walked over and unhesitatingly lifted it and 593 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,840 Speaker 2: tucked it up under one bony arm. He may have smiled. 594 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:16,480 Speaker 2: He is the boy who will grow up. 595 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:23,240 Speaker 3: The end. That was really sweet. It was beautifully written 596 00:33:23,280 --> 00:33:25,320 Speaker 3: as well beautifully read, if I may say so, but 597 00:33:26,880 --> 00:33:30,920 Speaker 3: really like ye, that delivered a lot more than expecting 598 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:33,440 Speaker 3: from a story about the Greek god, right exactly. 599 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:38,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, but like I think it's really like when you 600 00:33:38,600 --> 00:33:42,000 Speaker 4: read fiction from people who have lived different existences from you, 601 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 4: which is everyone. Yeah, but it's specifically like you know, 602 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:48,520 Speaker 4: in the framing of this is as a Palestinian author, 603 00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:52,320 Speaker 4: I think like you can see those perspectives reflected like 604 00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:53,360 Speaker 4: inherent in the work. 605 00:33:53,520 --> 00:33:56,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I thought it was. That was a very 606 00:33:56,760 --> 00:33:58,320 Speaker 3: cool illustration of that. 607 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:02,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, No, totally. And I just I love the like 608 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:09,240 Speaker 2: I love a story that clearly reflects something that's happening 609 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:13,319 Speaker 2: in the world without losing that it's a story like 610 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:15,759 Speaker 2: this is like what folklore like comes from, you know, 611 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 2: Like this is what I love so much about it 612 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:21,320 Speaker 2: is that it's like now you're taking these like familiar characters, 613 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:25,879 Speaker 2: doing something interesting with them, talking about something that's happening now, 614 00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:27,600 Speaker 2: and doing it in a timeless way. 615 00:34:27,800 --> 00:34:32,920 Speaker 3: Like Yeah, No, that was beautiful. I'd see. 616 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:36,279 Speaker 4: It was really really nice. People can't see this being 617 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:40,440 Speaker 4: an audio medium. I got my blanket. I'm like, Margaret's 618 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:41,360 Speaker 4: reading me a story. 619 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,440 Speaker 3: It's what a nice work afternoon. 620 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, it should be like we should pitch like 621 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 2: get your cup of tea. Li'sten the cool Zone media. 622 00:34:48,239 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 4: But yeah, I was just reflecting on that. I got 623 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:54,080 Speaker 4: some fancy tea recently. Yeah, they go advertise with us 624 00:34:54,080 --> 00:34:57,239 Speaker 4: fancy tea people and send me free tea and as 625 00:34:57,239 --> 00:34:59,719 Speaker 4: market your shit me into a proper brit Yeah. I've 626 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:03,280 Speaker 4: just yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, well that then it wouldn't 627 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:03,560 Speaker 4: have to. 628 00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 3: Be good T. We just do to have sef to 629 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:07,240 Speaker 3: have a high volume of it. 630 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:09,280 Speaker 2: Right, and it'd have to be prepared in very specific 631 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:10,719 Speaker 2: ways that don't make any sense to me. 632 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:14,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, well that would be yeah, but you'd have to 633 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 4: have a pseudo religious commitment to preparing it. Only that way, 634 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:19,000 Speaker 4: it's a reflection of your status in society. 635 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:22,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly. I guess a good yeah, yeah, good essay 636 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:22,920 Speaker 3: by Georgia. 637 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:25,120 Speaker 4: Well on T the people can read, Oh all right, 638 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:28,239 Speaker 4: all right, but yeah that's it's called I think it's 639 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:29,799 Speaker 4: called on a Nice cup of Tea. 640 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I I really, I just I like this 641 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:38,480 Speaker 2: story and I like, well, I'm gonna plug the stuff that. Well, 642 00:35:38,480 --> 00:35:43,000 Speaker 2: first I'm gonna I'm going to reiterate that Sonya Suliman 643 00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:46,520 Speaker 2: can be found on social media s O N I 644 00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:51,160 Speaker 2: A s U l A I M A N and 645 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,839 Speaker 2: her website is the same thing dot com and if 646 00:35:53,880 --> 00:35:55,680 Speaker 2: you just google her you'll find her a bunch of stuff. 647 00:35:56,320 --> 00:35:58,640 Speaker 2: But also I asked her what she would like to plug, 648 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:02,080 Speaker 2: and she said, I would like to plug. This is 649 00:36:02,120 --> 00:36:05,440 Speaker 2: not a border reportage and reflection from the Palestinian Festival 650 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:09,440 Speaker 2: of Literature, edited by Adaf Suif and Omar Robert Hamilton. 651 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:11,960 Speaker 2: It's an anthology of the first ten years of the 652 00:36:11,960 --> 00:36:16,120 Speaker 2: Palestinian Festival of Literature. Haymarket Books and Verso Books are 653 00:36:16,160 --> 00:36:19,160 Speaker 2: also offering free books on Palestine. At this time, I 654 00:36:19,160 --> 00:36:22,600 Speaker 2: would urge you to join the Boycott, Devestment and Sanctions movement. 655 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:27,239 Speaker 2: Details are available in Boycott, Devestment and Sanctions by Omar Bogatti, 656 00:36:28,080 --> 00:36:31,520 Speaker 2: one of the free books from Haymarket. And also this 657 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:35,359 Speaker 2: is me now, Margaret speaking. If you all google more 658 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 2: about the BDS movement, be careful because much like searching 659 00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:42,560 Speaker 2: for abortion, you know, like if you search for abortion, 660 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:45,640 Speaker 2: you get all these like fake Google results for people 661 00:36:45,640 --> 00:36:46,919 Speaker 2: who are anti abortion. 662 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:49,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, crisis pregnancies. 663 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:52,520 Speaker 2: And yeah, there's the same thing happens to the BDS movement. 664 00:36:52,600 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 3: Yes with BDS. 665 00:36:53,760 --> 00:36:58,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's Israeli propaganda that would like you to believe 666 00:36:58,760 --> 00:37:05,160 Speaker 2: that boycott in a genocidal government is anti Semitic and 667 00:37:05,239 --> 00:37:05,520 Speaker 2: it's not. 668 00:37:06,080 --> 00:37:09,319 Speaker 4: Yeah, I no, Like I didn't think we Yeah, they 669 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:12,600 Speaker 4: got people fucking boycotted South Africa doing the apartheid. You know, 670 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:15,320 Speaker 4: when when when a state wants to use your money 671 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:18,960 Speaker 4: to bomb little children, it's fine to choose to not 672 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:21,359 Speaker 4: give them your money if that's your thing. Yeah, Like, 673 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:25,200 Speaker 4: if you that's not your bag, then that's okay. 674 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:27,360 Speaker 3: Actually we're here to tell you that that's okay. 675 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:31,319 Speaker 4: Yeah, but what a beautiful story, and like what a 676 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:35,279 Speaker 4: it's a nice way. I don't know, Like recently, I've 677 00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:38,120 Speaker 4: just been on one about the American the way that 678 00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:43,320 Speaker 4: the American media reports on foreign affairs, and like people's 679 00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:47,720 Speaker 4: identities pop up like a blip into into our media diet, 680 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:51,040 Speaker 4: right into into our timelines and therefore into our existence, 681 00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:55,319 Speaker 4: and then they disappear and then something else happens and 682 00:37:55,360 --> 00:37:58,320 Speaker 4: we're blindsided by a conflict, right because our media hasn't 683 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:01,759 Speaker 4: been covering developments, culture, the existence to that country for 684 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:04,960 Speaker 4: a long time, and like a way to honor and 685 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:10,319 Speaker 4: other people's existence, to keep them present, to engage more 686 00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:15,440 Speaker 4: meaningfully than arguing with someone who's already decided what they 687 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:17,400 Speaker 4: believe on this topic, which seems to be most people 688 00:38:17,440 --> 00:38:20,600 Speaker 4: at this point. It's like to engage with literature, to 689 00:38:20,640 --> 00:38:24,280 Speaker 4: engage whose folklore, tradition, culture, not in an appropriative way, 690 00:38:24,760 --> 00:38:26,520 Speaker 4: but like in a respectful way. 691 00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:29,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, like you've done today, Margaret. Thanks. 692 00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:32,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, read it. Read books by people with different experiences 693 00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:35,200 Speaker 2: from you. I think that reading a ton of fiction 694 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,040 Speaker 2: from around the world, and not as much as I 695 00:38:37,080 --> 00:38:39,040 Speaker 2: would have liked to, but as a child, I think 696 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:43,200 Speaker 2: it's set me up on the right path. And then 697 00:38:43,320 --> 00:38:44,600 Speaker 2: just here at the end, I want to say that 698 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:46,399 Speaker 2: if you are listening to this feed on it could 699 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:49,400 Speaker 2: happen here. I'm murdered Kiljoy. I am host of a different 700 00:38:49,440 --> 00:38:51,759 Speaker 2: cool Zone media show called Cool People Who Did Cool 701 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:54,359 Speaker 2: Stuff that comes out every Monday and Wednesday on its 702 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:58,200 Speaker 2: own feed, and you can hear me tell nonfiction stories 703 00:38:58,239 --> 00:39:03,480 Speaker 2: about history and James. You are the host. If you're 704 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:05,479 Speaker 2: listening to this on the Core People Did Call Stuff feed, 705 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:08,799 Speaker 2: you can hear James, Ah, yeah, you can pitch your 706 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:09,200 Speaker 2: own show. 707 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:11,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, it could happen here. 708 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:13,920 Speaker 4: It's a podcast about how the world is falling apart 709 00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:17,759 Speaker 4: and some people who are putting it back together. Sometimes 710 00:39:19,120 --> 00:39:22,640 Speaker 4: on the subject of putting it back together, can I 711 00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:25,480 Speaker 4: plug a thing? A thing I like to do is 712 00:39:25,560 --> 00:39:27,960 Speaker 4: engage in mutual aids. I think we should allls do 713 00:39:28,120 --> 00:39:30,960 Speaker 4: makes the world better and our lives better as well. 714 00:39:31,520 --> 00:39:34,200 Speaker 4: But specifically a way I like to do that is 715 00:39:34,239 --> 00:39:36,000 Speaker 4: to help people arriving at the southern border of the 716 00:39:36,080 --> 00:39:39,680 Speaker 4: United States who are detained in open air concentration camps 717 00:39:39,719 --> 00:39:44,040 Speaker 4: by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department Homes and 718 00:39:44,080 --> 00:39:45,880 Speaker 4: Security would like you to think they're not detained. That 719 00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:49,560 Speaker 4: isn't true. It's going to be very cold the week 720 00:39:49,560 --> 00:39:53,560 Speaker 4: we're recording this, and very wet and therefore extremely dangerous 721 00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:56,560 Speaker 4: people who are not provided with shelter, food, water, or 722 00:39:56,600 --> 00:40:00,960 Speaker 4: anyway to warm themselves by the government. As in every 723 00:40:00,960 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 4: situation where the government fails, the community has stepped up 724 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:06,960 Speaker 4: to fill that gap. Thousands, tens of thousands actually of 725 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:10,040 Speaker 4: people have passed through our southern border this year alone, 726 00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:11,880 Speaker 4: since May, and. 727 00:40:12,360 --> 00:40:13,480 Speaker 3: Those of us who have been helping. 728 00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:17,800 Speaker 4: Are tired and broke and very much committed to continuing 729 00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:20,440 Speaker 4: to help, but we would like your help, and the 730 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:23,399 Speaker 4: way you can do that is with your wallet by 731 00:40:23,440 --> 00:40:27,399 Speaker 4: going to link tour so l i n k t 732 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:30,640 Speaker 4: r dot e E. That's link Tree, but they've broken 733 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:34,480 Speaker 4: it up for the ee. Yeah clever, aren't they little bastards. 734 00:40:35,160 --> 00:40:39,920 Speaker 4: So link tour dot ee slash border Kindness so l 735 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:43,360 Speaker 4: i n k t r dot e e slash b 736 00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:46,560 Speaker 4: O r d r k i n d n e 737 00:40:46,680 --> 00:40:49,080 Speaker 4: s S. And we will use your money to buy 738 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:52,640 Speaker 4: things like the Pikachu one seed that we gave to 739 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:56,760 Speaker 4: our little kid yesterday who was called Yeah, who was 740 00:40:56,840 --> 00:40:59,520 Speaker 4: living the dream in their Pikachu one c Afterwards in 741 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:03,480 Speaker 4: running Aroun I played football with them for a while yesterday. 742 00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:06,040 Speaker 3: I think the Pikachu wants is probably donnature. I don't 743 00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:07,799 Speaker 3: think we brought tops. 744 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:12,440 Speaker 4: You know, people, you know it's it's in every situation, 745 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:17,160 Speaker 4: like every humanitarian crisis is caused by governments and ameliorated 746 00:41:17,160 --> 00:41:20,239 Speaker 4: by anarchists and quakers. It seems so lots of people 747 00:41:20,239 --> 00:41:22,200 Speaker 4: have been cooking lots of vegan food for lots of 748 00:41:22,239 --> 00:41:23,800 Speaker 4: hungry people, and you can help. 749 00:41:23,680 --> 00:41:26,719 Speaker 2: Us hell yeah, all right, Well, we will see you 750 00:41:26,760 --> 00:41:29,720 Speaker 2: all next week on the cool Zone Media book Club 751 00:41:30,080 --> 00:41:32,400 Speaker 2: book Club, book Club, book. 752 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:39,320 Speaker 3: Club, book Club, book Club Club. 753 00:41:40,840 --> 00:41:43,320 Speaker 1: It Could Happen Here as a production of cool Zone Media. 754 00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:46,120 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from cool Zone Media, visit our website 755 00:41:46,120 --> 00:41:48,360 Speaker 1: cool Zonemedia dot com, or check us out on the 756 00:41:48,400 --> 00:41:51,919 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 757 00:41:52,200 --> 00:41:54,320 Speaker 1: You can find sources for It Could Happen Here, updated 758 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:57,880 Speaker 1: monthly at cool zone Media dot com slash sources. Thanks 759 00:41:57,880 --> 00:42:03,800 Speaker 1: for listening.