Gregor
was famed throughout the land for being a wise man, a thoughtful man
and, above all else, a scholar. Kings, astronomers and merchants of
all types came seeking form him advice; to see if he could impart any
of the arcane wisdom he possessed. He was reputed to have the
greatest library in the kingdom and when asked from where he attained
his wisdom, he would reply, “I always study, I always learn,” and
then he would smile.
One
day, Gregor was strolling abroad through a forest where he came upon
a clearing in a copse containing a great lake. Weary, he took off his
shoes and socks and placed his feet in the cool water. He skimmed a
stone, listening to the birds chirping in the sky and felt contented
with the world.
Just
then, a figure rose from the water of the lake. It was a giant carp
like creature with billowing wings of red and gold where its fins
should be. Gregor looked upon this apparition and saw it to be both
beautiful and terrible in equal measure.
“Greetings,
traveller,” said the monstrous carp. “I am Soloni of the
Djinn and I come to grant you three wishes.” His voice was at
once melodious and booming and the trees shook as he spoke these
words.
Now,
Gregor, being a learned man, knew well of the djinn. He knew that
these spirits were tricksters and what's more the gifts they granted
to mortals always came with a deadly catch. Many a man was reputed to
have wished for riches only for these diamonds and gold to become the
very root of his downfall.
Gregor
thought for a second and looked into the spirits polyp eyes. “Oh
mighty djinn,” said Gregor, in a voice as measured as he could
manage, “I am humbled by your offer but I have no need for any
favours. I merely seek the knowledge of the ancients and to this end
I have accrued a library greater than any man could read in his
lifetime. I am content and ask you for nothing.
“However,
maybe I could offer you something.” Gregor reached into his travel
sack and produced three tomes, gilt edged and well thumbed.
“Oh
Soloni, from these scripts I have gained more wisdom, more knowledge
and more succour than all others. I beg of thee to take them and
enjoy them as I have.”
Gregor
stood waiting expectantly for Solani's response.
“Traveller,”
the spirit cooed, soft as a lamb's wool, “I think you
misunderstand me – we djinn live to grant what your heart desires,
so I, great Soloni, cannot take your gift.”
Gregor,
realising his life stood in the balance, thought again, and used the
craft and guile his learning had bestowed upon him.
“Very
well, djinn,” he said. “My wish is that you take these volumes
and imbibe the peace, wisdom and happiness contained within.”
He
then took the books and threw them one by one over the water to the
great fish.
Solani
leapt to take each one and gobbled them in turn. Gregor smiled, and,
turning from the djinn, felt pleased by his day's work...
However
a djinn is not bound by the liquid that surrounds it and it will
always get the terror it wishes to reap. And so presently, the water
began to boil and violently the trees began to shake. Gregor turned
and saw multitudes of teeth gleaming out from the carp's mouth and
his three tomes on it's deep blue tongue.
“MORTAL,”
awesome Soloni boomed, “these books are yours and you shall be
returned to them!” And with that Soloni flew from the lake,
opening his giant jaws to swallow Greg whole. A giant GULP made the
earth rumble.
Smiling,
Soloni returned to the lake, receding silently into it's cool, dark
waters.