Ralph and the Pixie

Chapter 28

False Hope

“. . . despite the monkey’s far greater intelligence,his character always manages to bring about his destruction. Consider the simple workings of the monkey-trap. It is nothing more than a wooden box having a hole cut in its top or side just large enough to admit a monkey’s hand. The monkey is lured near by a piece of fruit which is then placed, before the monkey’s eyes, into the box. The greedy, obstinate creature will then, without exception, reach inside the box, grasp the piece of fruit, making a fist, and will refuse to let go of it, not even while the hunter calmly stalks up to the wretch and staves its head in. When one considers the closeness of humans to

other primates, the greater intelligence of Homo Sapiens merely adds ridicule to the monkey trap; as creatures endowed with greater intelligence, we seem in many ways capable only of attempting to work this ploy on one another, rather than putting our greater intelligence to more gainful use.”

Barnes and Scribbs, Anthropology, August 10, 1887

London, Sidney, New York

It had been several days since the Thane began leading his army in cautious retreat away from the proximity of Nith. Pran’s warning, facilitated by the Human girl, Deborah, had reached him on the eve of his approach to the Library City. Since then, wary of attack and ambush in these northern lands now controlled by the Goblins, he had moved his army slowly, cautiously, sending scouts out well in advance. His army, though strong enough and well-trained, could not sustain heavy losses for any length of time and still remain a purposeful fighting force. Therefore, avoiding casualties was foremost on his mind at all times.