Education in the Cave by mythsteps published on 2024-02-28T15:59:20Z AN EDUCATION IN THE CAVE The wise one told me: when the first gods found the first humans fumbling around in fog they decided to brighten the sun. But to see the truth so suddenly shocked the humans— they ran into a cave to hide then got lost deep inside that dark maze. A hard life— stumbling around without light. But in time, people adjusted. Incredible as it may seem eventually, humans forgot they couldn’t see. But oh— sometimes we remember when we collide with a stalactite or get bitten by a bat or worse yet fall into a pit. Oh yeah, I told the wise one I’ve known the pain of the collision— the toothy sting— the hard landing. After so many severe reminders I’ve devoted my life to the struggle to see. Ah yes, the wise one replied: calamity can awaken our desire for clarity. But wise one, I asked if you’re so bright why can’t you guide me out of this dim cavern? My teacher then gave me this last insight: Before I found my light I felt the same doubt you feel now so I do what I can to help. But alas, that’s limited. The final irony is: the only one who can lead you to your light is that wise one within. Genre poetry