"FWLS26" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

"The news. You know, current events. You get to keep up on
that quite well when you have a paper route."

"Well, no, they're more or less about the nature of the
universe," I said.

"Hmmm. Well, might as well try. What's your first one?"

"Alright... OH, ORACLE OF MIGHTY--"

"Just call me Benny," the kid interrupted. "What's the
question?"

"Mighty... umm... Benny, my first question I pose onto thee
is thus."

"Thee is thus? You sure that's good grammar?"

"My QUESTION," I growled, "Is this. What is the meaning of
life?"

"Hmmm," he hmmmed. "That's a tough one. Do you have any
easier ones I can start out with to warm up?"

I shook my head.

"Alright. Let's see, life, life... well, I think it's
something along the lines of leading a good life, bein' kind to
others, not spitting in the wind, ekcetera, ekcetera... what're
your other two questions?"

"What lies beyond this which we call life?"

"Death, I think."

"And Oracle, why must man have to choose between good and
evil?"

"Well, because there isn't an 'Undecided' slot on the
ballot. How's that?"

"Can't you elaborate? I mean, I've travelled so far, worked
so hard, and I think I deserve something more meaningful than
those!"

"Please, I'm just the sub," the kid protested. "I mean, if
you'd like, you can come back tomorrow and ask the Oracle then.
Unless that prescription I picked up for him doesn't work. 'e's
allergic to quite a few things, that Oracle."