The Artama Legend began with a parable for children, Artama & The Book of Knowledge & Wisdom. As a parable, adults have enjoyed it as well. The following is from the opening scene:
The Readers read from The Book of Knowledge & Wisdom.
The Book of Knowledge & Wisdom was bound in dark leather, and the pages were edged in gold. The pages held many words, and because there were so many words, the words were written in tiny letters, and The Readers used a reading glass to see what they were reading.
The First Reader, The Honorable First Reader, was someone splendid to behold. He wore a reading robe as white as the full moon on a clear night, and he wore a noble hat of stars.
The Second Reader, The Honorable Second Reader, wore a reading robe as black as a closed closet, and he was very fat.
The Third Reader, The Lord Most Honorable High Reader, wore a reading robe as golden as the autumn sun. And his beard was silver.
The Lord Most Honorable High Reader always read the most important words.
Near the table, an old blind man sat with his son.
The First Reader read:
Where the sun rises—as the yeast in bread—
We call East.
Where the sun sets—for a night of rest—
We call West.
And the other men, both young and old, responded, “It is written. It is true.”
The Second Reader read:
When you are lost—and cannot decide—
Let the needlebox be your guide.
The needlebox always points the way home.
And the other men recited, “It is written. It is true.”
There was a pause, and then The Third Reader, The Lord Most Honorable High Reader, read the most important words:
Do not try to cross The Plain.
There is no path—or food or water—
Only dragon-fire—and dragon-slaughter.
And the other men chanted, “It is written. It is true.”
The old blind man, however, did not speak, and his son noted this.
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