Father's Hand
By G. W. Thomas
The Rainbow Man put down his chima cup and asked the man across from him, "You were caught beating your son in the street, again, Tavo?" The law in Bast-il prevented the beating of children, even slaves under the age of twenty. The penalty was an eighty sogat fine.
"Yes, the guardsmen stood around and laughed, then they arrested me."
"Why were you beating the boy?"
"You know the axiom: "Spare the whip; spoil the dog"?"
"A Taavsite saying if I remember correctly," the wizard added.
"I believe it true of children as well," Tavo declared with a firm look in his eye.
"And your father? He believed it was true, too?"
"Yes."
"And your grandfather?"
"Yes, I believe my father said so."
"And your grandfather's father?"
"I do not know, but I suppose so."
"And your great-great-grandfather?"
"I do not know. Why do you ask me this?"
"If your great-great-grandfather had not believed this truism, you might not have lost eighty sogats today."
"So you are saying that the fine was his fault?"
"You decide," was the Rainbow Man's enigmatic reply.
Later the same day, Tavo was arrested while defiling the tomb of his ancestors, a crime punishable by death. In jail he was visited by the Rainbow Man. Tavo was less than kind.
"You stupid wizard! This trouble is your fault. I should never have listened to you."
"But did you really listen to me?"
"Go away. I have had enough of your riddles."
The Rainbow Man left the condemned man to his punishment, a death by whipping. Tavo faced his fate comfortably: "Spare the whip; spoil the dog."
© 1999 G. W. Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
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