Once upon a time, a certain navigator was carried out on the wreckage of a shipwreck to an island unknown to anyone, lost in the ocean. He was completely unconscious when the kind-hearted natives pulled him ashore and nursed him until he came to his senses. After living among these people for some time, he began to notice something very strange in their behavior. Compared to him, they had a very short memory. Because of this, it was very difficult for them to remember their experiences, compare their experiences with the experiences of their other brothers and pass them on to each other. As a result, each new generation was forced to learn everything all over again, and in many cases each islander was required to experience the same thing over and over again before he gained any benefit from his experience. The navigator also noticed that the robe that he was wearing when he found himself on the island contributed to the preservation of his own memory, and as soon as he took it off, his memory immediately noticeably weakened.
Then he realized that the mantle in an unknown way protected him from the effects of the local climate, which caused and maintained memory impairment in a person.
So, this mantle became for the islanders, as they say, the alien’s vestment of honor. People respected him mainly because of his ability to remember. And he began to design robes like his own, convincing everyone to wear them. However, this was contrary to local customs and, in addition, many simply did not dare to put on the robe, which for them was associated with the great “strength” and superiority of the newcomer.
Some were nevertheless persuaded to put on the robe. And indeed, people wearing the mantle restored their memory, but only on the condition that at the same time they made efforts to remember, which many, of course, forgot to do.
And the majority still did not wear any robes, or wore them, but without making the necessary effort to remember, so that, in the end, all that remained of this knowledge and its practical application was reduced to the phrases that came into use, in the local language it sounded like this: “Accept the robes” or “Be granted the robes,” which meant the assumption of special rank and power. Like all people in the world, the Aborigines confused insignia and power, grace and prestige with the ability that underlies it all.
The island is still in the same place and still inhabited by the same people. The navigator eventually set off on his journey again.
Robes continue to serve a decorative, ritual, and emotional arousal function that people now consider quite reasonable.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru