《Kirinyaga Lotus and the Spear 》作者：- Mike Resnick 【EPUB】

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Copyright c 1992 by Mike Resnick All rights reservedcopynotes. First appeared in Isaac Asimovs Science Fiction Magazine August1992. For the personal use of those who have purchased the ESF1993 Award anthology only.THE LOTUS AND THE SPEARby Mike ResnickOnce many eons ago there was an elephant who climbed the slopes of Kirinyaga which men now call Mount Kenya until he reachedthe very summit where Ngai ruled the universe from His golden throne.quotWhy have you sought me outquot demanded Ngai.quotI have come to ask you to change me into something elsequot answered the elephant.quotI have made you the most powerful of beastsquot said Ngai. quotYou need fear neither the lion nor the leopard nor the hyena. Wherever youwalk all My other creatures rush to move out of your path. Why do you no longer wish to be an elephantquotquotBecause as powerful as I am there are others of my kind who are more powerfulquot answered the elephant. quotThey keep the females tothemselves so that my seed will die within me and they drive me away from the water holes and the succulent grasses.quotquotAnd what do you wish of mequot asked Ngai.quotI am not surequot said the elephant. quotI would like to be like the giraffe for there are so many treetops that no matter where he goes hefinds sustenance. Or perhaps the warthog for nowhere can he travel that there are no roots to be found. And the fish eagle takes one matefor life and if he is not strong enough to defend her against others of his kind who would take her away from him his vision is so keen thathe can see them approaching from great distances and move her to safety. Change