THE HERMIT
Last year authorities in Montana discovered that a
hermit had been living in an old Forest Service cabin,
and they were concerned about his well being. They
decided to send up a team of experts from different
fields to analyze his living arrangements, and to make
sure that he was okay. First they decided on a
Psychologist, to make sure that the man was mentally
handling his isolation. Next, they decided on an
Engineer, to make sure that the cabin is still
structurally sound and safe. Finally, they decided on a
Theological professor from the university, to make sure
that the man's spiritual needs were being fulfilled.
The team made it's way up the treacherous terrain in
three days, but they were truly exhausted. Finally, on
the evening of the third day, they spotted the cabin.
From the outside, it appeared all was well. The area
around the cabin was clean, the ground almost appearing
as though it had been swept often. There was smoke
coming from the stove pipe chimney, and the door was
slightly ajar. Cautiously, they walked inside.
Inside the cabin everything appeared neat and tidy.
The only thing that stood out, and this immediately
caught the attention of all three men, was that the
stove was suspended 18 inches off of the floor by about
a hundred wires attached to the ceiling. The pattern of
the wires was very intricate, cutting this way and that,
and it appeared to be a very sturdy arrangement.
At first, all three men did not know what to make of
the arrangement. Finally with a loud, "Oh yes!" the
Psychologist spoke. "This very clearly explains this
man's desire to return to the womb. He has arranged the
stove so that he can crawl underneath to, once again,
feel the warmth of the womb."
"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Engineer. "This serves a
very clear and definite thermodynamic purpose. He has
lifted the stove so as to reduce the zone which the heat
has to permeate, allowing the cold air to remain within
the cabin, locking the heat in place. This man is a
genius."
The Theological Professor stayed quiet a moment
longer, but then he too spoke. "I hate to disappoint you
both, but I believe you are both wrong. The placement of
fire on raised altars has always been a significant
emblem of the existence of faith and religion in
cultures of the past and present. It would clearly be
that this man has created an altar for whatever faith he
has clung onto or, worse yet, created."
At this, the three men argued until there was a loud
knock at the door, and the three men turned to see that
the hermit had returned to his home. Immediately the
three men approached him and demanded to know the
significance of the placement of the stove.
The hermit stared at the three men long enough to
hush them up, and then he spoke.
"Well...had to fix stove pipe...plenty of wire...not
enough stove pipe!"
