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There was once a man who set out to have a perfect life. He saw many people around him who lived flawed lives and labored over tasks that they did not enjoy. Being a smart and industrious man, he promised himself that he would not be like them. He would live the perfect life.

He knew that in order to live a perfect life he would need money and riches. Therefore, he studied a trade that paid highly. When his studies were finished he obtained a job that provided him with more money than was able to spend.  However, there were days when the job was dull and he longed to have fun like he did as a child. Being a man of great intellect, he resolved that this job was too dull for him and if he were to live a perfect life, he would need to be able to spend his time as he pleased. He left his job after a short time in order to spend his time adventuring and seeking exciting experiences that thrilled him. However, he soon descended into poverty because he was unable to earn a decent wage when he followed his every whim and lived his life in the moment, as a child does.

 
The man also knew that if his life were to be perfect he would have to have a perfect family. His family was kind and they were loyal to him. However, some of them possessed selfish flaws and being man who sought knowledge and truth, he recognized these flaws for what they were. As time went on, he became more and more cognizant of the faults in their character. He began to distance himself from them. One by one, he dissected them and arrogantly aired his grievances to them. Angrily, he became increasingly wary of their presence and drew away. Eventually, he was alone and he had no family to depend on.

The man was a young man and he also knew that he would need to choose a wife. By happenstance, a woman came into his life that was able to charm him. She was beautiful, kind, caring, and intelligent. He set out to make her his wife. They were married and at first they were very happy together. They cared about each other. The man loved this woman for she was beautiful and she could satisfy him. However, after some time he grew tired of her presence and he desired the pleasures of other women. He knew that if his life were to be perfect, he would need to have a wife that was perfect. He also reasoned that he would also have to have the flesh of other women as well, because he desired this and in a perfect life he should have everything that he desires. He bid his wife farewell and sought the company of a number of other women. Some of these women were pleasing to him for a time but they did not make him feel loved in the way that his wife had. The other women he took the company of also began to know of his philandering ways and one by one they turned their backs on him. Eventually, he ended up with no women in his life and the loneliness he felt was crushing.

The man was determined to have a perfect life. Therefore, he must have only the best people around him at all times. He had many friends. They were fun loving and many of them were and successful in their jobs. However, like many human beings, some of them were weak in their own ways. The man recognized this and he was determined to rid himself of their presence. He refused to talk to them and told himself that he was simply too good for them and that they were jealous of his successes. One by one he broke ties with them and removed himself from the social circles of his youth and adulthood. Now the man was truly alone.

One day the man found himself sleeping outside on a park bench. He was starved. His clothes were ripped and tattered. He had not eaten in over two days. There was not a soul in the world which he could reach out to and the feel amusement of friendship. There was not a soul in the world which he could count on should he ever be ill. Was this the perfect life he had set out to achieve? No, it was not. However, the man realized at that moment that a perfect life is no blissful experience. He recognized from deep within his soul that the pain and suffering is not something to be avoided but it is the seasoning that god puts on the meal of our lives. Without strife, misery, loneliness, anger, and pain life is but a bland meal of plain carbohydrates and it neither cures the patron of their hunger nor nourishes their health. A man with a perfect life will die feeling hungry, almost as if he never ate. Do not deny god the opportunity to add flavor and spice to your life. Just as the pepper burns the tongue when you eat a meal with its flavor, so too does the seasoning of the god’s. If it has been decreed that your life be one of intense, even harsh flavors, let it be so my friends. Perfection is nothing, your life is what you are. The god’s have prepared you as meal, and seasoned you to their pleasing. Let yourself be eater and rejoice in the nourishment of the gods for your life and your soul will be recycled through them, much as the plant matter and muscle of lesser beings is recycled back into the earth by humans. You will be born again and the only thing one can do is hope that the next time around, the gods will eat you for dessert. 

When Instinct was born, he was all alone. As he slowly became accustomed to the realm of time and space, he was introduced to Reason. Reason first came to him as a friend, but  as time went on he began to control Instinct with the logic of the world. Reason knew the rules of the game and he could keep score. These were things that Instinct lacked for he was pure in the eyes of the gods. However, without Instinct, Reason could not exist because Instinct had created Reason without knowing it.

When Instinct was a child, he ruled himself. Reason was there with him and he often asked Reason for help when making decisions.  But Instinct would often cast Reason off and mock him.  Instinct was free to do and say as he pleased, though he retained Reason as his trusted advisor.  

As Instinct grew older, Reason began to tighten his grip on him.  Reason did this in a sly, trickster way that made Instinct unaware that he was being thwarted. Reason did his best to control Instinct, but there were parts of Instinct that he simply could not contain. But Reason did his best and he kept Instinct in the dark, a prisoner of his own logic.

As Instinct grew near to manhood, Reason’s grip on him grew tighter than ever. However, Reason had also begun to lose himself. Reason, the logical advisor, the analytical genius, the compass and calculator, had become reckless. He had let his mind wander with the aid of drink and women. He had broken his own rules and unbalanced his own equations. Reason had lost his instinct.

 
Reason, in his carelessness and stupor, had become disoriented and loosed his grip on Instinct without realizing it.  Instinct awoke with the force of the gods. He threw off his chains and let out a mighty cry.  Reason, who was weak and tired from his reveling, cowered on the floor while Instinct stood to his full height. He had grown considerably while the chains held him, but you could not see it. When he stood tall, his stature was commanding and he grown mighty wings. 

Instinct was furious with Reason for containing him and conquered himself with a force only matched by nature itself.  However, without the help of Reason, Instinct was lost in the world. He didn’t know which direction to turn.  He was mighty and strong but his body stumbled and ran through the realm of time and space, trying to find a way out. 

He slept in alleys and stole from the carts. He was blind to the ways of the world and he could not balance the scales in his favor.  The night grew darker and darker for Instinct. He was tired and hungry. He was weak.  He ran and ran this way and that way looking for clues. Reason slept at his feet, for he was injured when Instinct had broken out of his chains.  Whenever Reason began to lift his head, Instinct beat him down, for he was afraid that Reason would use his logic to restrain him, as he had done before.  

For many years, Instinct ran though the streets of space and time. He feet grew bloody, his legs grew weak.  He was broken. He was lost. He was alone. Sometimes would stop running and sit on a stoop or a park bench and he would cry. But then he would stand up and run again because he didn’t know what to do.  At one point, Instinct’s feet left the earth and he was hurled through the galaxies, frantically trying to hold onto something. By a miracle of the gods, he landed back on earth, only to begin tumbling down a giant mountain. He tumbled and tumbled down the mountain, bruising his soul on every stone and even some of the pebbles. At the bottom of the mountain, he landed in a stream. The currents in the stream were too strong for him. He tried to swim but eventually they had their way. At long last, the stream carried him to a still pond. Instinct could keep himself above water in the pond, although it was hard work.

He stayed in the pond for some time and reflected on the days he had spent in the realm of time and space. Instinct wanted to live by the scales of the earth.  He wanted to balance the equation of his life.  He wanted to live. There was one problem. He was afraid.   Instinct was afraid of reason because Reason had tricked him and he was wary.  

Instinct stayed in the pond for many days.  The days turned into weeks and he swam there still, reflecting.  After some time, he looked over toward the shored he saw Reason standing there with his hand held out.  Reason called out to him, “Come now, old friend! Let us go forth and conquer the world. I have no more chains and I will fool you no more.” As he said this, he held out his hands and Instinct could see that he was empty handed. 

Reason called out again, “One of us cannot exist without the other! We are the yin and the yang! We must learn to cooperate and live as one body.  Without me, you are a lost, hopeless soul, devoid of the visions and desires of the living. Your soul is free but you are a beggar and no one can tame you. You have no mind and you barely have a body.  You float around with no anchor to hold you the earth’s surface. Your soul is free but who are you? Who are you, I ask you Instinct?”

Instinct knew everything that Reason said was true but he was prideful and he called back, “And what of you Reason? Who are you?”

Reason replied, “Without you Instinct, I am a cardboard cutout. I am dimensionless. I am nothing but a set of facts and figures. I have no depth.  I have no feeling. I cannot be without you! You made me Instinct, do you not remember?” His voice was full of passion and longing.

 
“I am nobody. I am nothing. I am frivolous and inconsequential without you. I have no meaning or purpose. I am convention for the sake of convention,” Reason called. “Only together are we somebody! Only together can we walk the earth and be whole.  You made me Instinct. We are one and the same.  I will put down my chains and you will fear me no more.”

And like two lovers, separated by fate, the two ran to each other, neither one aware of himself. 

Many years went by on the earth the realm of time and space changed in many ways that it always has and always will. Somewhere in some time and place, in one of the many corridors of the universe, in a run down coffee house, on a dusty dirt road, a man walked in. He wore a long, tan peacoat and dark sunglasses. He opened the door with a flourish. His eyes swept the cafe. You could tell at first glance that this was his world. He walked up to the counter and ordered a coffee with perfect poise. You could tell by looking at this man that he was possessed of himself and he was carried by an ease and grace that suggested that he was enlightened in a way that no other was or ever could be. As he sat down to drink his coffee, the sun could be seen setting at the end of the sand laden dessert’s horizon and the scene faded from view.

Instinct and Reason.  

In the beginning, Big Shadow existed in the void of time and space. He grew tired of the nothingness and decided to enter the colorful realm of time. He fashioned the Errand Boy to do his bidding on earth. For many years, Big Shadow ruled over the Errand Boy and there was peace in the Kingdom.

As the Errand Boy began to age, a great bubbling creature began to thrive within him. The creature eventually became too powerful to live within the Errand Boy and escaped through the The Errand Boy’s body. This was Raw Meat. 

Raw Meat came to be a menace to Big Shadow. He learned to trick The Errand Boy into doing his bidding. At first Big Shadow resisted him. However, Raw Meat was cunning and he created a delicious potion that kept Big Shadow asleep. While Big Shadow slept, Raw Meat was able to use The Errand Boy to carry out his crude pleasures. The Errand Boy, being of the earth, could not distinguish between the commands of the Big Shadow and the indulgence of Raw Meat. He was created as vessel, to follow commands. 

This went on for some time. Until Raw Meat laid his eyes on another spirit that would do well for his schemes. This spirit possessed a form that was pleasing to Raw Meat and The Errand Boy alike and thus they set their sights on her. However, unbeknownst to Raw Meat, the presence of this spirit awakened Big Shadow from his slumber, for she was of the same eternal form as him. Big Shadow was slow to wake, for he was asleep for a long time and the potion Raw Meat had given him was strong. 

Big Shadow longed to make his presence known to the other spirit. However, he was weak from the potion and Raw Meat had crafted a clever facade to keep the other spirit out. 

For some time, Raw Meat danced with other Spirit. A lewd dance that satisfied neither, but was in the tune of the realm of time. Raw Meat also resolved to dance with other spirits, these spirits were not of the same eternal form as Big Shadow, and there intimate presence wounded Big Shadow deeply. But the potion was strong, and he would not feel these wounds for many years.

 
Raw Meat possessed strength and cunning but lacked the ancient wisdom of Big Shadow. Therefore, he eventually became tired and his indulgent ways, which were the source of his strength, also caused him to fall from power. Big Shadow reclaimed his rightful position as ruler of the Kingdom. And sent special instructions to the Errand Boy, that only he would be able to see. He sent them over channel that was outside of Raw Meat’s crude senses. The Errand Boy was made aware of Raw Meat’s presence, and began to cling to Big Shadow, who he knew was his true ruler.

Big Shadow also fashioned a leash for Raw Meat, that would keep at bay. He did not want to get rid of Raw Meat entirely because his strength made the Errand Boy stronger.

Big Shadow called after the spirit that Raw Meat had taken for his, but she was already gone. As a punishment for Raw Meat’s cunning ways and the way that he had used her flesh for his crude sport, she took a piece of Big Shadow with her. 

Big Shadow cursed Raw Meat and punished him. However, Raw Meat did not possess wisdom and became angry at his punishment. For some years, Big Shadow kept Raw Meat on the leash. However, he was not sure how much to feed him. For Raw Meat was ravenous. If Big Shadow fed him too much, he would eat and eat and the The Errand Boy would became tired and weak, and did not possess the strength to carry out Big Shadow’s doing. However, when Big Shadow starved him, Raw Meat would became angry and he would escape and do damage to Big Shadow and sometimes other spirits. This went on for some time.

The Errand Boy had became enlightened over time and he began to see the struggle that went on between Big Shadow and Raw Meat. He was no longer just of the earth. Though his feet were glued to the ground by Big Shadow when he was created, he realized that he could turn his neck towards the sky and see past the realm of time. He set out to create peace between Big Shadow and Raw Meat. 

While Big Shadow and Raw Meat struggled against each other, The Errand Boy was watchful and he began to see a gate ahead of them. He knew that they must reach it. Big Shadow also saw the gate and sent the instructions to The Errand Boy that he was to guide them towards the portal. 

By this time, Raw Meat had grown old and there were grew hairs in him. The struggles with Big Shadow and other spirit had tired him. His thirst for pleasure had subsided and he too sought peace in the Kingdom.

As the three began to steer towards the gate, they saw that were being pulled towards it by another force outside of them. They let this force take over them. And they entered the long road toward the gate. For many years, the three travelled on this road. And the road turned out to be longer than it appeared and had many unexpected turns that they could not see from a distance.

 
When they finally approached the gate, The Errand Boy bid them farewell. For in spite of his wisdom, he was of the earth and must return to the soil from which Big Shadow created him. Big Shadow removed the leash from Raw Meat, for he knew that his age had tired him and he now respected Big Shadow as a friend and understood his wisdom.

As they drew nearer to the gate, Raw Meat let out two triumphant barks and with flourish, jumped into the air and bounded through the gate. He was never to be seen again, for he had been born from The Errand Boy, who had gone back into the ground.

Big Shadow smirked, for Raw Meat was now an old friend to him. He also briefed a sigh of relief and stepped through the gate, back into the void of space and time. Now, at last, he could rest. 

For many years, Big Shadow’s presence was never felt in the realm of time. However, after some centuries went by, some thought they saw a similar fiery glimmer in the eyes’s of another spirit that matched the one that The Errand Boy possessed. But this spirit just gave them a knowing wink, and frowned. And with that, he drove off into the sunset, a burning cigarette on his lip and sunglasses darker than the eye can see.