Six Sentence Story: How Do You Know?

Word reached Emperor Dunklematerie that Evie, a budding graduate student, had vanished many professors, including his nemesis, Professor Weissalles – who routinely humiliated him – along with some of the more obnoxious students at the University of Noital – who weren’t any friendlier – after eating Apple Poof Delight.

Why are they eating the stuff if they know what’s going to happen to them? the emperor asked his chief advisor.

“Ah, your Highness, the vanishing doesn’t happen right away and no one knows for sure if it will ever happen, since if you decide – before it’s too late – to never eat the wicked delicacy again and persist in your righteous resolve for three whole weeks, you won’t vanish because you wouldn’t be foolish enough to ever try it again, but it is so, so very – VEEEERY – tasty.”

How do you know?

With a gesture of sympathy toward the ignorance of those around him, the chief advisor explained to the emperor how it was possible for him to know what he would never, ever – no, not in a million years ever – have even considered trying. After a logically impeccable and scientifically irrefutable explanation, the chief advisor vanished.

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Denise offers the prompt word “gesture” to be used in this week’s Six Sentence Stories.

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Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

33 thoughts on “Six Sentence Story: How Do You Know?”

  2. Haha, so much for impeccable, scientific irrefutable explanations! One day, all who are alive in Christ will vanish. Blessings, Frank. I am vanished from my blog, this week anyways. God know exactly where I am.

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  3. Its important for non T’NaCH “readers” of sophomoric translations of the bible to understand that the T’NaCH commands prophetic mussar – applicable to all generations of Israel. Therefore the T’NaCH does NOT teach history. A huge but subtle distinction, and expression of ancient scholarship skills.

    Kingdom of Edom

    Michael Ruark

    Edom (“red”) was an ancient kingdom that stretched across areas in the south of present-day Jordan and Israel. Edom and the Edomites appear in several written sources relating to the late Bronze Age and to the Iron Age in the Levant, including the list of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I from c. 1215 BC as well as in the chronicle of a campaign by Ramesses III (r. 1186–1155 BC), and the Hebrew Bible….

    Qos — a significant deity in the pantheon of the Edomites, representing a key aspect of their polytheistic beliefs. As a god associated with various elements of life, Qos played a vital role in the spiritual and cultural practices of the Edomite people. Qos is often associated with war and protection, serving as a guardian deity for the Edomites. His role as a warrior god reflects the martial culture of the Edomites, who frequently faced conflicts with neighboring tribes and kingdoms.

    Qos was also considered a mountain god, which is significant given the geographical landscape of Edom. The Edomites inhabited rugged terrains, and mountains were often seen as sacred spaces where deities resided. This connection to the mountains symbolized strength and stability. Worship of Qos likely involved various rituals, including sacrifices and offerings. These acts were intended to appease the deity and seek his favor in matters of war, agriculture, and daily life.

    Archaeological evidence suggests that the Edomites built shrines and possibly temples dedicated to Qos. These sites would have served as focal points for communal worship and religious gatherings. The worship of Qos reflects the broader context of ancient Near Eastern religions, where deities often shared attributes and functions. The Edomites, like many other cultures, adapted their religious practices based on interactions with neighboring peoples, including the Israelites and Moabites.

    The 2nd Sinai commandment the Torah revelation acknowledges that other Gods live. The theology surrounding Qos illustrates the complexity of Edomite religious beliefs and their connection to the natural world and societal needs. Understanding Qos and his significance provides insight into the cultural identity of the Edomites and their interactions with surrounding civilizations.

    Edomites and their interactions with neighboring cultures – complex and should not be oversimplified, like as Michael Ruark has perverted in his text quoted above. The Edomites according to many biblical historians – a joke because the T’NaCH does not teach history – an ancient Semitic people who inhabited the region south of the Dead Sea, primarily in southern Jordan. Their history, intertwined with that of neighboring groups, including the Israelites, Moabites, and Nabateans. The Edomites controlled key trade routes that connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean. This strategic position allowed them to engage in commerce with various civilizations, including the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and later the Romans. The strategic importance of these trade routes bears emphasis. These critical trade routes connect Africa with Europe and Asia. Herein explains why the Romans and the British made control of these trade routes the “Crown Jewel” of their respective World Empires. The Edomites have a famous reputation, known for their rock-cut architecture, particularly in the city of Petra, which later became a major Nabatean city. This architectural style influenced subsequent cultures and remains a significant tourist attraction today.

    The Edomites practiced a polytheistic religion, worshipping deities, such as Qos, introduced above. Their religious practices and beliefs influenced neighboring cultures, contributing to the region’s spiritual landscape. The Edomites historically known for their mining activities, particularly in copper and other minerals. This resource extraction played a crucial role in their economy and provided materials for trade.

    Over time, the Edomite civilization descended unto decay chaos and anarchy. Better organized civilizations then absorbed and assimilated Edomite cultures and customs into their larger, better organized empires, such as the Nabateans and later the Romans. This integration/assimilation facilitated the continuation of their cultural and economic contributions within a broader imperial context. Their contributions to trade, architecture, and cultural exchange highlight the interconnectedness of ancient societies and the importance of understanding these relationships in the broader historical narrative.

    Determination of scholarship research vis-a-vis the authors rubbish narishkeit of Michael Ruark, simply requires a tad of research. Recommend The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of the Levant: c. 8000-332 BCE” edited by Margreet L. Steiner and Ann E. Killebrew. This handbook provides a broad overview of archaeological findings across the Levant, including Edom, and situates them within the larger context of ancient Near Eastern history. It includes contributions from various scholars who are experts in their respective fields, ensuring a well-rounded and scholarly approach to the subject matter. It underwent serious scholastic rigorous academic scrutiny, enhancing its good name credibility.

    This source, it seems to me, particularly valuable for understanding the Edomites within the broader archaeological and historical framework of the region. Thomas E. Levy, an archaeologist known for his work in the southern Levant, particularly in Edom. Margreet L. Steiner, mentioned above, edited the “Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of the Levant.” His scholarship has contributed to the understanding of the cultural and historical context of Edom and its neighbors.

    This blog paper, by stark contrast, contains several claims about the Edomites that reflect a biased or oversimplified view of their history and interactions with other groups. The Edomites simply not a monolithic group; their society – diverse in terms of social structure, culture, and interactions. Archaeological evidence indicates that Edomite society included various clans and tribes, each with its own customs and practices. This diversity historically reflected in the different archaeological sites and artifacts found in Edom, which strongly supports the theory that this civilization existed as a complex society with varying degrees of interaction with neighboring cultures.

    While scholarly debate flourishes about the nature of Edomite conversion, especially among Xtians who base their “opinions” solely upon secondary or tertiary sources, essential actual scholarship recognizes, that the conversion forced conversion of Esau to Judaism, a minor non biblical reference. The Hasmonean dynasty’s forced conversion represented an exceptionally complex process influenced by various factors, including political alliances, cultural exchanges, and individual choices. Many Edomites may have embraced Judaism for personal, social, or economic reasons, reflecting the fluidity of cultural identity in the ancient world.

    Edomite history in point of fact, characterized by its resilience and adaptation. After the fall of their kingdom, Edomites migrated and integrated into surrounding societies, including Judah. The fall of the 10 Tribe kingdom of Israel to the Assyrian empire likewise witnessed mass assimilation. Their ability to adapt to changing political landscapes demonstrates the complexity of their identity and the shared histories with neighboring groups. Simply crucial to challenge stereotypes and generalizations about the Edomites and related groups. The Edomites do not compare to Moavites. The latter qualify merely as adversaries of the Israelites; the society of Edom reflects a complex society with their own traditions, beliefs, and contributions to the region’s history. Emphasizing their individuality and complexity generally helps to combat oversimplified narratives.

    Throughout history, various groups have faced displacement, conflict, and cultural change. The Jews the only civilization which experienced repeated g’lut/exile and following 2000+ years which witnessed the bankruptcy of the Xtian and Muslim civilizations, did the Jewish people raise our dead civilization from the grave and begin our National self determination to restore the Torah Constitutional Republic built around Sanhedrin lateral common law courts with the mandate to establish law through ‘Legislative Review’ of all Governmental statute laws. By acknowledging the shared human experiences of struggle, adaptation, and resilience, we can promote empathy and understanding among different cultural and ethnic groups. By recognizing the diversity within Edomite society, challenging stereotypes, and fostering discussions that highlight shared histories and commonalities, we can promote a more nuanced understanding of the Edomites and their interactions with other groups, most especially with the Jewish people. This approach encourages empathy and appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experiences that transcend cultural and historical differences.

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    1. Thank you for the reference to Margreet L. Steiner and Ann E. Killebrew’s book on archeology. I disagree with their date range “c. 8000-332 BCE” for the archeological record. Given the global flood, which occurred about 3300 BC, the range of archeological artefacts can only go back that far. The other 4700 years of their record is speculation made under the assumption that the “T’NaCH” (Old Testament) is not history.

      I don’t agree with their assumption and I think that you, as a Jewish scholar, are shooting yourself in the foot for accepting it as well.

      Note that if current evolutionary estimates of the range of humanity are accurate we should have real archeological artefacts, indeed actual poems and stories, that go back to at least 100,000 BC. We have nothing of the sort.

      Also, thank you for the name “Qos”. I hope to end this sequel of tales by marrying Evie off to a guy named Adam. I think I will introduce him as Adam Qos.

      I know how much you like Hebrew and how little you like Christianity so I will end with this song and with blessings to you, Moshe, and your family.

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      1. Nice song. I thank God more and more that I am simple and know nothing as I ought. I didn’t read all that. Thank God for intelligent minds but knowledge continues to get in the way.

        “You must be born again”

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      2. It was before my time, I do not know. Ancient history 100% speculation he prioritizes carbon dating you prioritize your personal belief system. Me, consider myself an atheist praise God.

        Chessed a middah completely different and distinct from the middah of grace. The latter the 5th middah of the Oral Torah which the church denies whereas the former the 7th middah of the Oral Torah which the church denies. Grace commits a person to dedicate L’shma a tohor middah that remains currently unspecified. Whereas Chessed dedicates the good eye that possesses the wisdom to discern between this that resembles that. To separate like from like, the key to doing tohor time-oriented Av commandments as opposed to secondary positive or negative commandments which do no require k’vanna Av tohor time-oriented commandments require k’vanna. K’vanna being prophetic mussar. The portion of the Sha’s Bavli and Yerushalmi that teaches aggadah – instructs prophetic mussar as the p’shat of the story told through the aggadic mushel/parable. This aggadah defines the k’vanna of observance of halachic ritual halachot, the shell of mitzvot observance. Doing mitzvot drabbannon – from the rabbis – with the k’vanna gleaned from T’NaCH prohetic mussar raises those mitzvot drabbanon to mitzvot from the Torah. Hence not just 613 Written Torah commandment but all the halachot contained within the Talmud if a Jew observes those mitzvot L’shma. Herein defines the wisdom of Talmudic scholarship through the Ages.

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    1. As I wind myself down the rabbit hole of this tale, I wonder just what happened to all those people whom Evie vanished. Good point that we don’t have to experience everything to know that we shouldn’t try it. Blessings, Jim!

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  8. ain’t writing a serial Six fun?*

    to paraphrase absent friends: One Apple Poof Delight is too many, a thousand in never enough

    *lol taking the liberty of viewing this recent series of Sixes as a serial story, what with my own penchant for following narrative breadcrumb trails. imo always exciting if not sometime stressful in the process (provided one is of the pantser persuasion as opposed to outliner approach to story writing)

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    1. It is a serial Six. I am trying to find a way to end it. I am thinking of marrying Evie off to a nice grad student named Adam.

      I still don’t know what happened to all the people Evie vanished. (They weren’t “raptured”, btw.) That’s another good reason to end the series.

      This is more a pantser than an outliner series.

      Blessings and thank you, Clark!

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      1. I get that. imo the only fun way, at least for those of us with the confidence and nerve to try is to start a story and hope you can stay one step ahead… I often liken it to live musical performance (like an open mic night) where you get the audiences attention and take to the end and they enjoy it because at least you know how it end… (lol yeah, right)

        good luck with the ending

        (my own unsolicited advice look to your characters for the answer and trust they will tell the story

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