Winter in Eden

TWENTY-EIGHT
    This island in the river delta was low-lying and half swamp. But a cypress tree had taken root on the southern tip, grown high and wide, its leafy branches creating a welcome pool of shade and relief from the blistering sun. Most of the Daughters were assembled here now, luxuriating in close study of Ugunenapsa's words. The circle of intent students sitting rigid with the effort of concentration, following Enge's every gesture and sound. When she had finished her explanation there was only silence as each looked inside herself, seeing if Ugunenapsa's words were hers as well.
    "Questions?" Enge said.
    Long moments passed before one of the students, a young, slim Yilanè, a recent convert, tentatively made a motion of attention. Enge signed authority-for-speaking. The student sought for clarity of expression, then spoke.
    "Before Ugunenapsa recorded her thoughts, made this momentous discovery, were there others who, perhaps, contribution-of-effort…" She stumbled over her question and Enge came to her rescue.
    "Are you asking if Ugunenapsa, our teacher was first in everything—or did she learn from earlier teachers and thinkers?" The student expressed grateful agreement. "If you study Ugunenapsa's works closely you will find her discussing just this question. She did seek guidance from all the Yilanè thinkers who were concerned with the questions of life and death, but found none to aid her, no prior reference to the problem of its possible solution. When she sought for an explanation of this, for she was humble and would not think that she alone had been graced with singular knowledge, she reached a certain conclusion. What lives and what dies? she asked herself. A Yilanè may die, but a Yilanè city lives forever. Yet at just this time a Yilanè city had died, the first one ever recorded for she searched and searched and found no mention of any other. Yet a city had died of the cold. Then she turned the question over and asked it from the other side. If a city can live and not die—why cannot a Yilanè live and not die?
    A city had died, just as a Yilanè dies. She was humble and did not believe that the city had died just to lead her to her discoveries. But grateful also in that from death she had discovered life…"
    "Attention, information of importance."
    There was a murmur and movement of horror as Ambalasi blocked their view of Enge, interrupting her while she was speaking. Only Enge remained undisturbed by the discourteous act.
    Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    "How may we be of aid to Ambalasi, she who saved us." Reminding them all that the scientist deserved respect above all others.
    "I wait patiently for your talking to finish, but finally observe it is endless. Therefore interruption. There is work that needs doing before dark. I need strong thumbs to help me."
    If Enge was eager to help, her cooperative mood was not shared by the Sisters. They had obviously not relished the interruption and had no desire to substitute heavy labor for heady philosophizing. None moved, though one briefly communicated importance-of-teaching. Enge was embarrassed, not angered, by their reluctance.
    "I have failed you as a teacher," she said. "Ugunenapsa has taught us that all life is equal, so all Yilanè are equal, and a request for aid is to be honored as if it were a request for life." She turned to Ambalasi and signed humility-of-submission. "I shall be the first to hurry to assist you."
    At this the students forgot their pique and pushed forward to show their understanding and compassion.
    "Without Enge's guidance you are stupid as fargi," said Ambalasi unappreciatively. "I need five of you to carry and assist in planting." She looked them up and down critically for many were thin and cerebral; selected the ones who looked the strongest and sent them off with her assistant for the supplies.
    "You must excuse them," Enge said. "In their excitement of seeking knowledge they forget the labors of the day."
    "Time-wasters, the lot. Walk with me, there are things we must discuss."
    "Pleasure in obedience to desires."
    "That is true, you sincerely feel that way. But you alone, Enge, you alone. I have never tried to work with creatures as resistant to orders as your Daughters of Lassitude."
    Enge signed understanding and apologies. "There is a reason for this—as there is for everything.
    Pleasures of association and mutual discovery, without persecution for beliefs, is a strong mixture. It is hard to descend