The Return of "Thus Spoke the Platypus" Part III
Utnipishtim sat by the waters of his lake, and many heard of his great wisdom, and they came to him seeking the knowledge of the time before the flood. He taught them day and night, and there was great joy in the heart of Utnipishtim.
Now Og, King of Bashan, heard that many even of his own people were going up to hear the words of Utnipishtim; and his heart was full of wrath. And Og said to his heart: "I will go with my armies and destroy Utnipishtim and all his followers. I will blot out the wisdom of the time before the flood." And Og took his army and went up.
Utnipishtim arose one morning with his followers, and they saw that all the valley was filled with the armies of Og, King of Bashan. And Utnipishtim called out in a loud voice: "Turn back, O armies of Og. Turn back, that you may live and not go down to death." But the hearts of the followers of Utnipishtim quaked, for none had ever turned aside the armies of Og.
When Og saw that Utnipishtim was come forth, he saddled his horse and ordered his horsemen, and his footmen, and his chariots forward. Then Utnipishtim raised his left hand, and held forth the Annim, the soul destroying power; and half of the armies of Og was consumed. But Og and his armies, his horsemen, and his footmen, and his chariots, would not turn. Then Utnipishtim raised his right hand, and held forth the Unnim, the world destroying power; and the second half of the armies of Og were consumed.
Og, King of Bashan, saw now that he was alone, and that his power could not avail against the power of Utnipishtim. So Og cursed Utnipishtim with three great curses, and turned his horse and fled.
Then the hearts of the followers of Utnipishtim were joyful beyond measure, but the heart of Utnipishtim was grieved. Therefore, his followers sought to console him with the greatness of his victory: "Utnipishtim! Wisest of men! Be joyful! Six armies have fallen before you. Be elated! Seven armies lie in the dust at your feet."
Utnipishtim opened his mouth and said: "Why are you joyful, O my followers? Why are you elated? Six armies have gone down to the grave. Seven armies have been destroyed. How can there be any wisdom for them in the grave? Who among men or gods can go down to the depths to teach them?"
At these words, many of the followers of Utnipishtim grew angry, and the hearts of many others were confused. One by one, they went and plundered the bodies of the armies of Og, King of Bashan, and left Utnipishtim.
By the waters of his lake, Utnipishtim found a large, round stone and he sat down upon it and wept. But when he opened his eyes again, behold, there was still one follower that remained, and he sat at the feet of Utnipishtim.
Then Utnipishtim cried out, and uttered from his wisdom the third great truth: "Though a thousand come to listen, only one among them will hear!"
Thus spoke Utnipishtim
Now Og, King of Bashan, heard that many even of his own people were going up to hear the words of Utnipishtim; and his heart was full of wrath. And Og said to his heart: "I will go with my armies and destroy Utnipishtim and all his followers. I will blot out the wisdom of the time before the flood." And Og took his army and went up.
Utnipishtim arose one morning with his followers, and they saw that all the valley was filled with the armies of Og, King of Bashan. And Utnipishtim called out in a loud voice: "Turn back, O armies of Og. Turn back, that you may live and not go down to death." But the hearts of the followers of Utnipishtim quaked, for none had ever turned aside the armies of Og.
When Og saw that Utnipishtim was come forth, he saddled his horse and ordered his horsemen, and his footmen, and his chariots forward. Then Utnipishtim raised his left hand, and held forth the Annim, the soul destroying power; and half of the armies of Og was consumed. But Og and his armies, his horsemen, and his footmen, and his chariots, would not turn. Then Utnipishtim raised his right hand, and held forth the Unnim, the world destroying power; and the second half of the armies of Og were consumed.
Og, King of Bashan, saw now that he was alone, and that his power could not avail against the power of Utnipishtim. So Og cursed Utnipishtim with three great curses, and turned his horse and fled.
Then the hearts of the followers of Utnipishtim were joyful beyond measure, but the heart of Utnipishtim was grieved. Therefore, his followers sought to console him with the greatness of his victory: "Utnipishtim! Wisest of men! Be joyful! Six armies have fallen before you. Be elated! Seven armies lie in the dust at your feet."
Utnipishtim opened his mouth and said: "Why are you joyful, O my followers? Why are you elated? Six armies have gone down to the grave. Seven armies have been destroyed. How can there be any wisdom for them in the grave? Who among men or gods can go down to the depths to teach them?"
At these words, many of the followers of Utnipishtim grew angry, and the hearts of many others were confused. One by one, they went and plundered the bodies of the armies of Og, King of Bashan, and left Utnipishtim.
By the waters of his lake, Utnipishtim found a large, round stone and he sat down upon it and wept. But when he opened his eyes again, behold, there was still one follower that remained, and he sat at the feet of Utnipishtim.
Then Utnipishtim cried out, and uttered from his wisdom the third great truth: "Though a thousand come to listen, only one among them will hear!"
Thus spoke Utnipishtim
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