FAITH, HALF FAITH AND NO FAITH AT ALL
by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Three Travelers and the Brave Heart
Three friends went on a long walk. They wanted to find good things.
The Wise Man went on this walk. The Good Man went too. The Old Wanderer also went. They walked a very long way. They wanted to find good things.
The Wise Man talked much. He read many books. Books told him about good things. His books said peacocks had bad voices. He believed his books.
The Good Man did not need books. He believed good would always win. He said, 'Good will always win!' He did not need special signs. This was his strong belief.
They saw a peacock. It sat on a wooden fence. The bird opened its mouth. It sang a very sweet song. Its voice was like a nightingale. The Wise Man felt very sad. His books were wrong. He walked quietly for a time.
They came to a new place. A Trickster was there. He did magic tricks. The Wise Man saw the magic. Magic was a true sign, making him happy. He thought this was a reason to believe.
The Good Man watched. He did not care. He said, 'Good will always win!'
The Trickster got angry. He showed his tricks. The magic was not real. The Wise Man felt sad. He was confused again.
A person came. He brought bad news. The bad side was winning. King Odin was in danger. Everyone felt scared.
The Wise Man was sad. The Good Man was sad. They thought all hope was gone. He said, 'Join the bad side.'
The Old Wanderer held his axe. The Wise Man asked, 'What will you do?'
The Old Wanderer stood tall. He said, 'I will help King Odin.' He said, 'I will go fight.' He was very brave.
The Old Wanderer walked away. He went to help King Odin. True bravery is helping what is good. Even when it is very hard. It is not just talking. It is doing.
Original Story
XVII.—FAITH, HALF FAITH AND NO FAITH AT ALL.
In the ancient days there went three men upon pilgrimage; one was a priest, and one was a virtuous person, and the third was an old rover with his axe.
As they went, the priest spoke about the grounds of faith.
“We find the proofs of our religion in the works of nature,” said he, and beat his breast.
“That is true,” said the virtuous person.
“The peacock has a scrannel voice,” said the priest, “as has been laid down always in our books. How cheering!” he cried, in a voice like one that wept. “How comforting!”
“I require no such proofs,” said the virtuous person.
“Then you have no reasonable faith,” said the priest.
“Great is the right, and shall prevail!” cried the virtuous person. “There is loyalty in my soul; be sure, there is loyalty in the mind of Odin.”
“These are but playings upon words,” returned the priest. “A sackful of such trash is nothing to the peacock.”
Just then they passed a country farm, where there was a peacock seated on a rail; and the bird opened its mouth and sang with the voice of a nightingale.
“Where are you now?” asked the virtuous person. “And yet this shakes not me! Great is the truth, and shall prevail!”
“The devil fly away with that peacock!” said the priest; and he was downcast for a mile or two.
But presently they came to a shrine, where a Fakeer performed miracles.
“Ah!” said the priest, “here are the true grounds of faith. The peacock was but an adminicle. This is the base of our religion.”
And he beat upon his breast, and groaned like one with colic.
“Now to me,” said the virtuous person, “all this is as little to the purpose as the peacock. I believe because I see the right is great and must prevail; and this Fakeer might carry on with his conjuring tricks till doomsday, and it would not play bluff upon a man like me.”
Now at this the Fakeer was so much incensed that his hand trembled; and, lo! in the midst of a miracle the cards fell from up his sleeve.
“Where are you now?” asked the virtuous person. “And yet it shakes not me!”
“The devil fly away with the Fakeer!” cried the priest. “I really do not see the good of going on with this pilgrimage.”
“Cheer up!” cried the virtuous person. “Great is the right, and shall prevail!”
“If you are quite sure it will prevail,” says the priest.
“I pledge my word for that,” said the virtuous person.
So the other began to go on again with a better heart.
At last one came running, and told them all was lost: that the powers of darkness had besieged the Heavenly Mansions, that Odin was to die, and evil triumph.
“I have been grossly deceived,” cried the virtuous person.
“All is lost now,” said the priest.
“I wonder if it is too late to make it up with the devil?” said the virtuous person.
“Oh, I hope not,” said the priest. “And at any rate we can but try. But what are you doing with your axe?” says he to the rover.
“I am off to die with Odin,” said the rover.
Moral of the Story
True faith is not based on external proofs or intellectual arguments, but on an unwavering commitment to what is right, even in the face of despair.
Characters
The Priest ◆ supporting
Of average height and build, perhaps a little soft from a life of study rather than manual labor. His movements might be somewhat theatrical when expressing strong emotion.
Attire: A simple, dark wool cassock or robe, perhaps with a rope cincture. Practical leather sandals or sturdy shoes. No elaborate adornments, reflecting a life of religious devotion.
Wants: To find and articulate concrete, external proofs for his faith, and to maintain a sense of intellectual certainty in his beliefs.
Flaw: His faith is entirely dependent on external validation and intellectual arguments; he lacks an intrinsic, unwavering belief.
Starts confident in his intellectual faith, is repeatedly shaken by events that contradict his proofs, and ultimately loses all faith when faced with the prospect of evil triumphing, even considering 'making it up with the devil'.
Dogmatic, easily swayed by external 'proofs' of faith, prone to despair when his intellectual arguments are disproven, somewhat theatrical in his expressions of belief or dismay.
The Virtuous Person ★ protagonist
Likely of average height and a sturdy, upright build, reflecting his moral conviction. His movements would be direct and unwavering.
Attire: Practical, well-maintained clothing suitable for a pilgrimage, perhaps a sturdy tunic and trousers in muted earth tones, made of wool or linen. A simple leather belt. No ostentation.
Wants: To live by and uphold the inherent truth and eventual triumph of 'the right', believing it to be an intrinsic, self-evident force.
Flaw: His faith is based on an abstract concept of 'right' that he assumes will always prevail, making him vulnerable to despair when confronted with the possibility of evil's triumph.
Starts with an unshakeable, almost arrogant, faith in the triumph of 'the right', dismissive of others' struggles. He is utterly shattered and loses all faith when told that 'evil triumph[s]', even considering 'making it up with the devil'.
Principled, unwavering in his belief in 'the right', dismissive of external proofs or miracles, self-assured, but ultimately naive and easily disillusioned when his core belief is challenged.
The Old Rover ◆ supporting
A weathered, strong build, indicative of a life spent outdoors and in physical labor. Perhaps a bit stooped from age but still possessing a formidable presence. His hands would be calloused.
Attire: Practical, worn, and sturdy clothing suitable for a long journey and a life of wandering. Perhaps a thick, patched leather jerkin over a coarse wool tunic, sturdy trousers, and well-worn boots. A simple, functional belt.
Wants: To live by his own internal code of loyalty and to defend what he believes is right, even unto death.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a lack of verbal articulation for his deep convictions, making him seem simple to others.
Remains consistent throughout the story, serving as a foil to the other two characters. His simple, action-based faith is revealed as the strongest and most enduring.
Quiet, observant, pragmatic, loyal, courageous, possesses a deep, unarticulated, and unwavering personal code of honor and duty.
The Fakeer ○ minor
A slender build, perhaps appearing somewhat frail or ascetic, but with quick, practiced movements for his tricks.
Attire: Simple, flowing robes in a light, perhaps off-white or saffron color, indicative of a holy man or performer. Possibly a turban or head covering. His clothing would be designed to conceal his 'tricks'.
Wants: To impress and deceive pilgrims with 'miracles' for personal gain or to maintain his reputation.
Flaw: His reliance on trickery, which is easily exposed.
Appears briefly to perform tricks and is exposed, serving as a test of faith for the pilgrims.
Deceptive, easily incensed when his tricks are questioned, reliant on illusion to maintain his perceived spiritual authority.
Locations
Country Farm
A typical European country farm setting, likely with a wooden rail fence. The air is clear and the sun is shining, indicating a pleasant day for travel.
Mood: Initially mundane, then surprising and unsettling due to the peacock's song.
The pilgrims encounter a peacock that sings like a nightingale, challenging the priest's 'proofs of religion'.
Roadside Shrine
A small, humble shrine by the side of a road, likely in a European setting, where a Fakeer (a wandering ascetic or performer of miracles) is conducting a show.
Mood: Initially hopeful and mystical for the priest, then quickly exposed as fraudulent and tense.
The pilgrims witness a Fakeer performing 'miracles', which are then revealed as tricks, further challenging the priest's faith.
Open Road / Pilgrimage Path
A nondescript path or road, likely winding through open country, where the pilgrims continue their journey and discussions. The setting is open and exposed, reflecting the vulnerability of their beliefs.
Mood: Initially philosophical, then increasingly disheartened and desperate as news of impending doom arrives.
The final, climactic revelation of Odin's impending death and the triumph of evil occurs here, leading to the ultimate test of faith.
Story DNA
Moral
True faith is not based on external proofs or intellectual arguments, but on an unwavering commitment to what is right, even in the face of despair.
Plot Summary
Three pilgrims—a priest, a virtuous person, and an old rover—journey together, debating the nature of faith. The priest's faith, based on external proofs, is repeatedly shaken as his 'evidence' (a peacock's voice, a Fakeer's miracles) is disproven. The virtuous person relies on reason and a belief in the ultimate triumph of right, but his conviction falters when news arrives that evil has prevailed. Only the silent rover, who never articulates his faith but acts on it, remains steadfast, choosing to die fighting for what he believes in, highlighting that true faith is an unwavering commitment beyond proofs or reason.
Themes
Emotional Arc
certainty to despair to quiet resolve
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Robert Louis Stevenson often explored themes of morality and human nature, drawing on various cultural and philosophical ideas. The inclusion of Odin suggests a broader, more ancient, or perhaps pagan, understanding of 'good' beyond specific organized religion, contrasting with the priest's more dogmatic view.
Plot Beats (11)
- Three men—a priest, a virtuous person, and an old rover—go on a pilgrimage.
- The priest discusses finding proofs of religion in nature, citing the peacock's supposed 'scrannel voice' as laid down in books.
- The virtuous person states he requires no such proofs, believing 'Great is the right, and shall prevail!'
- They encounter a peacock that sings with the voice of a nightingale, disproving the priest's 'proof' and making him downcast.
- They arrive at a shrine where a Fakeer performs miracles, which the priest embraces as the 'true grounds of faith.'
- The virtuous person dismisses the Fakeer's tricks as irrelevant to his belief in the prevailing right.
- The Fakeer, incensed, accidentally reveals his trickery, causing the priest to lose faith in the pilgrimage.
- A messenger arrives, announcing that the powers of darkness have triumphed, Odin is to die, and all is lost.
- The priest and the virtuous person both despair, with the virtuous person even considering making amends with the devil.
- The priest asks the rover what he is doing with his axe.
- The rover calmly states he is going to die with Odin, demonstrating his unwavering, action-based faith.
