Chapter 2 - Part I

In the days before the Nü walked the earth, before men were men, they were flies; keepers of corpses and filth. They crawled on the earth or flew around, ever restless, scavenging for food and and searching for shelter against the elements. They moved in great numbers but without direction and without purpose. For the race of men, the price of existence was very dear indeed. They were a people whose destiny it was to feed the bellies of others; the clever, the wise and the strong of the jungle.

Yet because they always moved in great numbers, in great swarms, the race of man persisted.

One day, when the world was still raw, a young fly, unique in the world, beheld his race and despaired. He understood the fate of the fly. One day, be it tomorrow or in several moons, it was his lot, and that of his people, to meet his end in the gullet of the bird or the lizard. He knew that from the air or from the ground, his fate would be soon if he followed the ways of his people in their busy, mindless search of food. But he also understood that his people did not have to live this way.

He set out to learn the ways of the elder brothers and sisters of the jungle, that he might be spared this fate. He traveled long, from the carrion of a seagull on the sands of the Great Void sea shores, through the savanna plains of the lowlands, to deep in the heart of the jungle at the base of Mount Gulthark. He did not stop until he reached his goal, the king of the jungle; the mighty jaguar. Surely, thought the fly, the age and maturity of the race of the jaguar could provide the humble fly with the answers he sought.

The jaguar laughed at the little creature's request for knowledge, but indulged the fly nonetheless.

"You wish to avoid a violent death? You wish to avoid being livestock of other creatures? You would prefer to be master of your own destiny?" he challenged. "That is easy! Behold my mighty jaw! Look upon my claws and sinuous muscle. I fear not death from the monkey or parakeet not - it is they who fear me!

"I take what I need to survive. Through strength and brute force I live without fear. With my power, I keep myself and my race safe and our bellies full."

The fly heeded the jaguar's words. Strength and aggression were what his people lacked. With this knowledge, he returned to his people, and his people knew aggression. No longer would they need to dine on the scraps that others left behind. No longer would they wait for flesh and fruit to be discarded. They would seek out living blood for their meals.

And thus, mosquitoes were born.

But they still were not safe.

The young fly continued onward in search of wisdom for his people. This time, he abandoned the jungle, and flew to the savanna for surely, thought the fly, the wisdom of the jungle was too bold. He came across an armadillo, busy unearthing tubers and grubs in the grass.

"Elder armadillo, what is the secret to your life? How are you able to live without constant fear of death?"

To the fly the lumbering creature responded, "That is easy, tasty one." he snapped, hoping to secure another meal. The fly persisted, dodging the beast while listening to his advice. "My armor is all I need to survive! No hunter dares attack me. I suffer no harm because any predator knows he will never pierce my hide!"

Defense, that is what my people lack, thought the fly. He returned to his people and they knew defense. He outfitted them in splendid armor that gleamed in the sun.

And thus beetles were born.

But they still were not safe.

Disheartened, the fly wandered aimlessly. Surely no elder in the jungle, no sage of the savanna, no creature throughout the land could help the fly. He rested on the leaves of a jungle tree and lamented his failure.

Hearing the sobs of the young fly on his boughs, the elder tree asked, "Little one, why do you cry?"

"I am of a people who know no rest. We wander without purpose and become fodder for the birds and the lizards. Our hearts are on edge, and our minds are blank, too preoccupied with survival to have any greater understanding of the world.

"I have asked the elders of the jungle and the elders of the savanna, how we might better ourselves. Aggression changed us, but it did not give us comfort. Defense changed us but it did not give us rest. I fear it is our lot to forever live in the shadow of a doomed fate."

"Little fool," bellowed the massive tree, "You look for peace in a world of conflict." He sighed, "such a thing does not exist. Such a thing cannot exist.

"But in my world there is peace, you see. Little fool, stay here in my branches, build for yourself a home. Here, you can make your peace."

"But what will I eat?!" responded the fly, "How will I find food?"

"Silly little fool. Why do you long for that which is all around us? The jungle provides. Build your home and you need not worry."

The fly listened intently and did as the elder tree advised. He tore off his wings and cut them to shreds. With them, he built for himself a web in the branches of the tree. There he lived peacefully, safe in his home and always provided for.

In this way, the Spider was born.

Children, remember this: The fly found tranquility when he looked inside of himself for the answers he sought. He found peace when he built for himself a haven of safety. Aggression helped him not. Defense helped him not. These are things for dealing with the outside world, but they have no reward.

This, children, is why we say "True danger comes from a wandering Spider." That Spider has forgotten the lessons of his ancestors, and he tries to become a fly once again. His misery, as he falls underfoot, and our misery, as we are poisoned, are the result.

Of course, the tale of how the Spider grew into man is a story for another time. But still, we all come from the Spider, and it is only by building our webs in our hearts and minds that we can stop buzzing around mindlessly and find peace.

~Oral Traditions of the Southern Nü Tribes