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The philosopher scoffed at the statue of the ancient king.
“What’s the matter?” said the prince in response. “Do you have some problem with my great-grandfather?”
“I have never met a dead man,” said the philosopher. “It’s the statue I take issue with.”
The statue was made of bronze, with some gold and silver plating here and there. The king was depicted as muscular and armoured. The statue towered over the intellectual and the royal bickering below, as a man would tower over an ant.
“I’m sure there is not a city in all of Greece with a statue so majestic,” said the prince. He spoke with pride, he stood up straighter than before.
“There isn’t,” said the philosopher. “But making a statue of someone does not make them permanent.”
The prince was confused. “Of course my great-grandfather has passed on. But this statue will preserve his memory for generations to come.”
The philosopher scoffed again, it was perhaps his favourite mode of communication.
“We both know he did not die wearing armour,” said the philosopher.
“Of course,” said the prince. “He died of sickness while lying down.”
“So what then does the statue preserve?” asked the philosopher. “Not the final years of his life, but only a single moment, when he stood in this particular pose with this particular clothing.”
The prince wondered if perhaps the statue should have been nude. But instead of asking that, he said, “yes, it is a single moment of his life, but that single moment shall be remembered for all time!”
The philosopher took a break from scoffing and laughed. “For all time? Do you really believe that? This statue will be worn away long before then. Thieves shall rip out the gold and silver, armies will melt down the bronze. All you have done is given your ancestor a few centuries of extra recognition. And that too, only a single moment of your ancestor’s life.”
“At least he will be remembered,” sneered the prince. “He achieved true greatness, he ruled, he conquered, he raised children to be his heirs. More than your ilk can say.”
“but neither the rule, nor conquest, nor children, shall be permanent.” said the philosopher.
This was written in 10 minutes during a Joy of Writing meetup.