Starting today, I decided to get some of the more cultural aspects of human life introduced to Galiah. I tried showing her some of our history from the rise and fall of Rome to the Renaissance to modern history of the 20th century. She seemed invested in it, only asking a few odd questions here and there. Odd to think that someone could live on earth her whole life and yet not hear of any of these things, these marvels of human creation, the tragedies that were so horrid, and yet all of it passed her by completely. She seemed to be real interested in our religious figures, God, Jesus, and even some from other religions like Buddhism and Islam.
G: So your most well known savior didn't fight off the soldiers?
M: Well, it's complicated, Galiah. It was more about peace and to sacrifice himself so that others could live
G: Hmmm, I suppose so. But why can he do all these great things but didn't do this one
M: Galiah, it's very complicated. I'm not exactly up to snuff on my bible stories
G: Do you not believe in your gods, Mason?
M: It's... uh... complicated. The fact there are two worlds kinda spits in the face of Christianity. Hell, makes me wonder what religion is right anymore
G: Faith is a fickle concept, Mason. People are so easy to believe what they are told, but it takes a lot for someone to doubt it. It must have been shocking to find out all of this
M: Yeah, you can say that. It's difficult
G: Hey what's this now?
M: Galiah, that's not a religious book
G: But your savior is the one Christ, isn't it? This has his name on the book
M: Galiah, that's a Christmas book
G: What is a christmas?
M: It's the biggest holiday celebrated by humans. Also in different forms for different religions, but it's basically a holiday of coming together with family and friends and exchanging gifts
G: Ooooh, we have something similar to clebrate the planets rotation around the sun. It's a village spectacle where we gather together and thank each and everyone for their contribution to the land and to making the town better. My grandad would always play the part of the Moon Fool during the stage plays
M: The Moon Fool?
G: Of course, the Moon Fool. The sleepy lord of the moon who does not care for the sun and wishes to nap all day until he is proven false and banished to the moon for trying to stop the earth's movement.
M: Your grandfather really likes the moon
G: Of course. Not enough to banish us to eternal night, but he does find it fascinating. He doesn't say why, but he says it brings him comfort
M: Oh, I think I understand, like how some people go on night walk-
G: Is this another form of Jesus?
M: What? N-No, Galiah, that's Santa Claus
G: Is this Sir Santa a preacher of the word of Sir Christ?
M: No, he's just a figure who delivers presents. It's an image for the kids to enjoy
G: Oooh, sounds pleasent. How does he get all those presents
M: Oh..... uh...... he makes them himself
I decided to keep the mention of elves from Galiah
Turns out her curiosity got the better of her and she read all about it that evening
She did not seem amused the day after
I woke to continue our conversations only to see her there with a few books on Santa, a stern look on her face, which was completely alien for the bubbly elf. She did not seem too amused.
G: Mason, I just wanted you to know that I do not blame you or anyone here for what is written in these books. I am sure that it came from a different time where this was more accepting, like when you mentioned the mistreatment of other cultures among humans, so I am sure this was just a very unflattering but reasonable depiction
She handed me the book, with a slight bit of force as she pushed it into my ribcage
G: That said I need time to process how you all can still enjoy the image of a known slave driver. If you do not mind, I would like to cancel our discussion for the day. I'm sure you understand
G: So your most well known savior didn't fight off the soldiers?
M: Well, it's complicated, Galiah. It was more about peace and to sacrifice himself so that others could live
G: Hmmm, I suppose so. But why can he do all these great things but didn't do this one
M: Galiah, it's very complicated. I'm not exactly up to snuff on my bible stories
G: Do you not believe in your gods, Mason?
M: It's... uh... complicated. The fact there are two worlds kinda spits in the face of Christianity. Hell, makes me wonder what religion is right anymore
G: Faith is a fickle concept, Mason. People are so easy to believe what they are told, but it takes a lot for someone to doubt it. It must have been shocking to find out all of this
M: Yeah, you can say that. It's difficult
G: Hey what's this now?
M: Galiah, that's not a religious book
G: But your savior is the one Christ, isn't it? This has his name on the book
M: Galiah, that's a Christmas book
G: What is a christmas?
M: It's the biggest holiday celebrated by humans. Also in different forms for different religions, but it's basically a holiday of coming together with family and friends and exchanging gifts
G: Ooooh, we have something similar to clebrate the planets rotation around the sun. It's a village spectacle where we gather together and thank each and everyone for their contribution to the land and to making the town better. My grandad would always play the part of the Moon Fool during the stage plays
M: The Moon Fool?
G: Of course, the Moon Fool. The sleepy lord of the moon who does not care for the sun and wishes to nap all day until he is proven false and banished to the moon for trying to stop the earth's movement.
M: Your grandfather really likes the moon
G: Of course. Not enough to banish us to eternal night, but he does find it fascinating. He doesn't say why, but he says it brings him comfort
M: Oh, I think I understand, like how some people go on night walk-
G: Is this another form of Jesus?
M: What? N-No, Galiah, that's Santa Claus
G: Is this Sir Santa a preacher of the word of Sir Christ?
M: No, he's just a figure who delivers presents. It's an image for the kids to enjoy
G: Oooh, sounds pleasent. How does he get all those presents
M: Oh..... uh...... he makes them himself
I decided to keep the mention of elves from Galiah
Turns out her curiosity got the better of her and she read all about it that evening
She did not seem amused the day after
I woke to continue our conversations only to see her there with a few books on Santa, a stern look on her face, which was completely alien for the bubbly elf. She did not seem too amused.
G: Mason, I just wanted you to know that I do not blame you or anyone here for what is written in these books. I am sure that it came from a different time where this was more accepting, like when you mentioned the mistreatment of other cultures among humans, so I am sure this was just a very unflattering but reasonable depiction
She handed me the book, with a slight bit of force as she pushed it into my ribcage
G: That said I need time to process how you all can still enjoy the image of a known slave driver. If you do not mind, I would like to cancel our discussion for the day. I'm sure you understand