Ghyll:Stone of Wisdom

Stone of Wisdom Guide me To think wise thoughts Say wise sayings Make wise choices Meet wise people Not get squished

There are three main camps of thought regarding the Stone of Wisdom. The purists believe that there is one true Stone of Wisdom, and that all the rest are phonies. The liberals believe that all stones of wisdom are true. The vast majority of Ghylli believe it's all a bunch of hooey.

The legend of the Stone of Wisdom stretches back before recorded history. Every major culture in Ghyll has a Stone of Wisdom legend, and although they differ on details, they are sufficiently similar that I can pick one and please all but the purists.

But who cares about them, right?

This is the story that comes from the Nitenmangrey literature.

In the days before time, O dearly beloved, when the world was dark and furry, and all the critters were still young and gullibie, there was one critter who was more clever, and more sly, than all the rest. This critter took no particular shape, but appeared as whatever shape most pleased his hearer. Ah, sly and wily was this critter.

One day the critter approached a small vermin, and said unto the vermin, "Vermin, you can trust me. Give me your food supplies to safeguard for you, and it will be well cared for." The vermin, not being a critter of great imagination, was about to turn over all of his food, when suddenly, a great stone fell from the sky and squished both the vermin and the sly critter.

It's a pretty dumb story, isn't it? Strangely, great cults have formed around this little story.

The stone is called the Stone of Wisdom because it brought wisdom to both of the characters in the story. Put *that* in your Vlorm and snort it, why don'tcha!

Most villages, and two thirds of the moors, have a Stone of Wisdom. Many villages have a pillar in the center of town which they call their stone of wisdom. Some instead have a small pebble kept in a safe and holy place. These latter tend to be mystics, and claim that a pebble can be the stone that squishes, if it is dropped from high enough. This leads to may debates on who dropped it, and how high that being was at the time.

It is also well worth noting that many youth this day refer ironically to the wisdom achieved from being stoned, and thus call Xlardamnf the "stone of wisdom."

References: Vlorm, Xlardamnf, Nitenmangrey

--DrBacchus 19:49, 25 Feb 2005 (EST)