The light from the fire grew bright as the sun in some seconds, sending rays into the corners of the room and casting black shadows elsewhere. Now do you believe in my tale, said the Chimney Sweep in a bold manner.
The small figure in the armchair, unmoved by the histrionics of the Chimney Sweep, gestured to the stool and said, Sit ye down now. I had only need to verify the quality of your stone by your own hand. At this It produced, from the depths of the armchair a white stone of its own. I too have a white stone as smooth and as white as snow. The figure, that you have by chance espied, was one of my kin. We are come here from another world where the changing of form is a natural thing. I myself often take the shape of a bear, an eagle or wheelbarrow when I venture through the woods. The stones that we hold are amongst many of the useful devices that we bring to facilitate our way in your world, so be not alarmed.
The Chimney Sweep sat down, as the white stone tumbled out of the fire onto the stone flags and became a simple stone once more. Tell me of this world from which you come, she said in an awed voice.
In our world it is common for beings and things to appear as what they are not. A tree may appear to be made of snakes to confuse the goat. A river may appear to be of molten gold to please the fish. A dog may be a rock, a loaf of bread, a crown, a man may be a woman or a fence post. A house may take the semblance of a mountain or sandwich. Said the small figure quietly, it is a most confounding place. This is one of the reasons that we make the journey to your land, where a tree is a tree, and a wolf is a wolf. There is a simplicity to the actuality here which we appreciate above all else. This clarity is of great value and should not be ignored. I have heard tell that some amongst your kind, those who seek power above all else, will tell things that are not true to further their own ends, and undermine those who would be responsible in all things. In our world, this would be punishable by tethering to a rock for many days and having rotten vegetables strapped to your legs so that goats might come to annoy you.
This is a strange justice, said the Chimney Sweep, would it not be more sensible to incarcerate them so that they can perpetrate no more lies?
No, replied the alien, if you treat a liar in this manner, his or her disciples become emboldened and further convinced of the veracities of the lies involved. It is better to annoy the perpetrator of the lies with the ridicule that all lies, and liars deserve. There are other punishments that our judicial system finds effective, such as fish tails in the socks, the wearing of a wobbly hat whilst sitting in a shallow pond, wearing very large false ears or supporting a ridiculous haircut. But the most effective method of nullifying a liar is to say, You are lying, stop it.
I see, said the Chimney Sweep, I can understand that truth would be a precious commodity in a world where things are not as they seem. Can I suggest some other punishments that come to mind?
Be my guest, said the Creature in the armchair.
Well now, said the chimney sweep taking her chin in her hand as if to aid the thinking process, how about making the liar wear trousers with different length legs and tying their shoelaces together?
Good, said the creature
How about filling the pockets of their dressing gowns with jam or molasses?
Yes yes, said the creature, although I would not encourage the wasting of any comestible products, in severe cases this might prove effective.
Then again, continued the Chimney sweep, warming to her task, one might take a stiff brush that has been used to sweep the streets and place the long handle down the back of the guilty persons shirt or chemise, such that it continued down into the trouser or skirt area, preventing any bending or sitting activities at all, she finished triumphantly.
Very efficient it would be I’m sure, said the small figure, in persuading the habitual liar to change his or her ways. I can see that you have a fine imagination for this kind of judgement.
Tell me more of your journey here, said the Chimney Sweep.
Well, said the small figure, we came, the three of us, in pursuit of a star. We had heard tales and predictions of a star rising in the yeast and fell to thinking that this must be in a bakery somewhere. We do not eat any food containing yeast on our planet and so we came here, where breads and their related products, cakes, croissants and buns, are commonplace. We travelled for years, using many kinds of transport, taxis, cars and scooters with hooters until we came to a village with a large bakery.
At this point the Elder of Az came into the cloister wherein the Blue Knight sat at his desk.
Well, said the Elder of the City of Az, how is your story coming? And he took the parchment there and read it to the end. This is all very educational, I had hoped for something more exciting, but I do like the sci-fi twist of a creature from another world. Perhaps you might introduce some space travel or clever technology from the future in the next part?
Whose writing this story? Said the Blue Knight
The Guardians of the Cave 