If people say you are ‘nothing’,
say something
and then say something else.
It’s not madness,
but if they have no connection,
connect them. It’s called confabulation!
Thus you get nonsense.
Repeat until it makes sense
and they believe it.
Tell others to repeat to those fit
to hear until they too follow
in your life’s show.
Should some understand it,
explain until they misunderstand it.
In your last will and testament
reveal only the document
containing things that are never true.
This adds to your hue!
Do this
and be remembered in bliss
for centuries to come
for what you have become.
Schools and philosophies
will extol your high office
as your fame
will flourish with your name.
But if you do it differently,
treading on life gently
saying one equals one,
know you’ve not won.
Or two times two equals four,
you can never be at the fore.
Say people should be good
and be mocked in your neighbourhood.
If you say,
even for a day,
that summer follows spring,
nobody will sing
your praise
or raise
your names
beyond a lame’s.
Posterity will say, “So what?”
“He didn’t even leave behind a hut!”
They’ll forget all about you
like they would a dead ewe.
Only the impossible is believable!
This recipe is truly conceivable.
Written by: Jack Vince
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson