The magic that gleams an instant between Argos and Odysseus is both the recognition of diversity and the need for affection across the illusions of form.
—Loren Eiseley, The Unexpected Universe
Seven times the Bull of Divine Undoing brought down disaster and calamity on the Hamlet of the Unbelievers, and each time, spasmed by their grief and loss the Infidels turned once more their broken teeth to God in pitiful supplication and issued forth cries and pleadings that were as the sound of nothing to the ears of the Creator.
Seven times the villagers dispossessed by the Bull of Divine Undoing ran hither and yon in the ruins of what had been their streets and their homes, and upon each visitation of wrath their fits of lamentation grew louder and more hoarse with accusation. On each occasion the Almighty proved ever more resolute in His indifference to their suffering, and ever more impervious to the roar of their indignant bawling.
Eventually, after an interval of confused bereavement, the impious citizens of that cursed town would rebuild once again and pray for deliverance from another trodding.
And God in His heaven was disinclined to trust their avowals of repentance and humility, so accustomed had He grown to their wanton and hypocritical ways. Yet He also had grown weary of playing the role of the Vengeful God, so one fine day in the late spring He led the Bull of Divine Undoing into a valley deep in the mountains and there gave the beast its freedom.
To the villagers He then sent, rather than wrath, deliverance in the form of dogs, that the sinners might learn at last the lessons of loyalty and love.
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