The Prerogative of Might
by Ambrose Bierce · from Fantastic Fables
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a Lie. It was very fast! The Lie ran all over the land. It liked to tell bad things. It made small problems. The Lie moved quickly. It did not stop. It went to many places. It ran and ran.
Then, The Truth came. The Truth was big and strong. It saw The Lie. The Truth said, "Stop, Lie!" It said, "Stop now!" Lie must not make trouble. The Truth wanted to help. It stood in the way.
The Truth got ready. It rolled its sleeves up. It held its big stick. The Truth said, "Your bad work is done." You make no trouble now. It looked very firm. It was ready to fight.
The Lie spoke. "Why stop me?" it asked. "I did no bad things." "You always followed me." "You stopped my bad ideas." "I was not bad." The Lie tried to trick. It looked innocent.
The Truth did not like this. "No!" said The Truth. "We do not go together." "We are not friends." "We walk no same road." "Never the same way." The Truth was firm.
The Lie thought it was smart. "How did you catch me?" it asked. "You are behind me." "How are you here?" It looked confused. The Lie did not understand this.
The Truth smiled. "I did not follow you." "We met by chance." "I went the other way." "I went all around the world." "Now we are here." "It was a long trip." The world is big.
The Truth wanted to stop The Lie. It used its big strength. It moved fast. The Truth tried very hard. It tried to grab The Lie. It put out its hand.
But The Truth got very tired. It could not go on. The Truth was so tired. The Lie ran away. It was still very fast. The Truth could not catch it. The Lie was gone. Sometimes, a Lie runs fast. The Truth gets tired. It cannot always catch the Lie.
Original Story
The Prerogative of Might
A Slander travelling rapidly through the land upon its joyous mission was accosted by a Retraction and commanded to halt and be killed.
“Your career of mischief is at an end,” said the Retraction, drawing his club, rolling up his sleeves, and spitting on his hands.
“Why should you slay me?” protested the Slander. “Whatever my intentions were, I have been innocuous, for you have dogged my strides and counteracted my influence.”
“Dogged your grandmother!” said the Retraction, with contemptuous vulgarity of speech. “In the order of nature it is appointed that we two shall never travel the same road.”
“How then,” the Slander asked, triumphantly, “have you overtaken me?”
“I have not,” replied the Retraction; “we have accidentally met. I came round the world the other way.”
But when he tried to execute his fell purpose he found that in the order of nature it was appointed that he himself perish miserably in the encounter.
Story DNA
Moral
The truth, or retraction, may eventually catch up to a lie, but it often perishes in the attempt to undo the damage, while the lie persists.
Plot Summary
A rapidly spreading Slander is confronted by a Retraction, which intends to halt its mischief. The Slander argues it has been harmless due to the Retraction's pursuit, but the Retraction reveals it met the Slander by traveling the world in the opposite direction. When the Retraction attempts to destroy the Slander, it ironically perishes itself, leaving the Slander to continue its journey.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confrontation to ironic defeat
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Ambrose Bierce was known for his cynical and often dark short stories and fables, frequently employing personification to explore human nature and societal flaws.
Plot Beats (9)
- A Slander is traveling quickly, fulfilling its destructive purpose.
- A Retraction confronts the Slander, commanding it to stop and be destroyed.
- The Retraction prepares for a fight, stating the Slander's mischievous career is over.
- The Slander argues that it has been harmless because the Retraction has always followed and counteracted its influence.
- The Retraction dismisses the Slander's argument with vulgarity, asserting that they are destined never to travel the same road.
- The Slander, believing it has found a logical flaw, asks how the Retraction could have overtaken it.
- The Retraction explains that it did not overtake the Slander but met it by accident, having traveled around the world in the opposite direction.
- The Retraction attempts to carry out its intention to destroy the Slander.
- The Retraction, contrary to its purpose, perishes miserably in the encounter, implying the Slander's continued existence.
Characters
The Slander ★ protagonist
An ethereal, swift-moving entity, perhaps with a slight, insubstantial build, suggesting its ability to travel rapidly and spread easily. Its form might be somewhat indistinct, reflecting its nature as a rumor.
Attire: No specific clothing, but perhaps an aura of fleeting, translucent fabric that seems to ripple and flow as it moves, emphasizing its speed and insubstantiality.
Wants: To spread rapidly and fulfill its 'joyous mission' of mischief.
Flaw: Ultimately vulnerable to the physical force of Retraction, despite its speed and initial perceived innocuousness.
Begins confident in its mission and speed, then attempts to reason with its foe, and finally is overcome, learning that even its evasiveness has limits.
Protesting, evasive, triumphant (momentarily), self-preserving, mischievous.
Image Prompt & Upload
A slender, ethereal, and translucent figure, appearing to be in mid-stride, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Its form is indistinct, like shimmering air, with a subtle, mischievous expression. It has no specific clothing but an aura of flowing, light-grey, almost invisible fabric that trails behind it. Its posture is light and evasive. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Retraction ⚔ antagonist
A robust, muscular, and determined figure, suggesting physical strength and an unwavering resolve. Perhaps a slightly weathered appearance, indicating its arduous journey.
Attire: Practical, sturdy, and somewhat rough attire, like a simple, dark tunic and trousers, perhaps with rolled-up sleeves, emphasizing its readiness for a fight. The fabric would be coarse and durable, like thick wool or canvas.
Wants: To halt and destroy the Slander, fulfilling its natural purpose.
Flaw: Despite its strength and determination, it is ultimately fated to perish in the encounter, suggesting a fundamental limitation in its ability to completely eradicate Slander.
Begins with confident determination to destroy the Slander, but despite its strength and purpose, it meets an unexpected end, highlighting the enduring nature of Slander.
Determined, contemptuous, vulgar (in speech), unyielding, direct, strong-willed.
Image Prompt & Upload
A muscular, robust male figure with a stern, resolute expression, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a strong jawline, intense dark eyes, and short, practical dark hair. He wears a dark, coarse wool tunic with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, sturdy dark trousers, and simple leather boots. He holds a heavy, gnarled wooden club in his right hand, ready for a fight. His posture is powerful and determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Open Road
A generic, undefined path or thoroughfare stretching across a vast land, implying a journey rather than a fixed place.
Mood: Neutral, functional, a stage for encounters
The initial meeting and confrontation between Slander and Retraction.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, dusty dirt road stretches into the distance under a vast, clear sky, flanked by low, rolling hills covered in dry, sparse grass. The path is well-trodden, showing faint ruts from unseen travelers, and the air shimmers with heat haze. A few scattered, hardy shrubs cling to the roadside, casting short, sharp shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
