Chapter 2) The World According to Oogh & Whu! (perspective, roasted on a skewer made of mammoth bone) I propose this story to be non-fiction. While there's no proof of the events exactly as told below, logic tells it must have happened at least in a similar manner. It's inconceivable to think these events never happened. There were billions of intelligent people who lived the life of Oogh and Whu long before the earliest written documents. Ancient Egypt is recent times when viewed from the context of all human history. Life didn't get much better until the very near past. Oogh and Whu and their entire tribe lived long long ago right here on our planet. Don't look down on them for being african and a bit smaller than people are now. All people were african at this time and for a long time after. Don't think less of Oogh and Whu for being hairy compared to you and I. Set aside the Hollywood stereotype of cave people. They're the equals to modern humans in every significant ability, they are modern humans, they are the original modern humans. Understand that Oogh and Whu are intelligent beings who happen to have been born in a different social environment than us. They may have been the first tribe or there may have been tens of thousands of years prior where humans had our mental capacity. Either way makes no difference, they are us born in a different era. Oogh and Whu battle the same basic challenges faced by every intelligent being anywhere in the universe. 1) Oogh & Whu - Tools of The Trade
You're getting sleepy, very sleepy, your eyelids have become too heavy to hold open, you're falling asleep, you're in a deep deep sleep. In your dreams quietly imagine a time before humans made friends with fire. Enter carefully the world of Oogh and Whu. Remain the observer, don't disturb Oogh or Whu or anyone else in the cave. Don't eat the bits of raw mammoth on the cave floor, it took weeks for Oogh to devise a method of trapping it. For Oogh, intelligence and logic are his main contribution to the tribe. Notice over your right shoulder, Ugh enters the cave with a large club in his hand, his other hand dragging the young woman Whu by her hair. Typical you think, cavemen always dragging women around by their hair. Poor Whu won't anyone help her? Make room, move to your left so Ugh can pass. Cover your ears from the sound of Whu's screams, it's enough to make your teeth hurt. There's nothing you can do so keep observing, this all happened more than a hundred thousand years ago. Resist the urge to run outside. You can't run far enough to get away from the smell of rotten food. Uh oh! Something bad happened when you made room for Ugh to pass. Look down, see what you're standing in? Rotten food is lookin good now. Welcome to most of human history, you just stepped in it. The tribe does well. Oogh's mammoth trap is feeding them, allowing time to forage for fruits and vegetables, traveling further for better water and even cleaning the cave. The smell is down and health improved. Nobody cares where the rats went, just happy with something else to eat. Will it last? Not likely. The mammoth trap was discovered and lost many times in the previous fifty thousand years. It's the best thing for Oogh. He's treated as their hero with every need catered. No more Ugh for Whu, her hair is growing back and she's happily married to Oogh. Whu always had a thing for Oogh, he didn't even have to woo Whu. Witness the following from your seat on a rock above the cave entrance. Oogh and Whu sit quietly below on a rock of their own. Snuggled together they stare at the stars with observation and imagination as their only tools. Nobody in their tribe's history ever had time to consider possibilities, Oogh's mammoth trap is responsible. Oogh and Whu have to start from nothing. No written history of speculations of billions of people who've done this before. Oogh and Whu have no incorrect information to taint their speculations. We were denied this opportunity. Envy them, they have the chance to become explorers in the most honest form. There's more exploration ahead than they've imagined. Observe Oogh and Whu sitting on their rock night after night. Listen as they talk about their small world, discovering and trying to understand abstract concepts. Understanding comes from a perspective without society teaching accumulated knowledge. They didn't go to school, didn't get history or science classes, didn't watch cartoons growing up. In their world they're already married at thirteen years old. The old man in the tribe is only twenty five. Oogh and Whu have challenges ahead, concepts which are misunderstood even today. Back to your observation rock. Oogh and Whu remember members of their tribe from when they were very young. Half the original tribe are gone and our couple are older than many of the others. They never noticed that people change with age, daily life was too difficult to notice, every moment was dedicated to fear or survival. Their lives were lived in those moments with little planning for the future or memories of the past. A few weeks seemed like an eternity. They now have leisure time and two minds challenging each other. Oogh and Whu start searching for answers. They speculate on themselves and what the future holds. Their initial hurdle is understanding their place in the universe. First item of concern for them, they don't have a concept of age. Their lives have been a daily blur of fighting to survive, finding food and escaping certain death as food for something else. These are the only points in life they needed to understand. Speculations about age drag on for days and eventually result in a purpose, perhaps they can determine how old they are. After talking to their tribe, Oogh and Whu begin using the cold periods as a common point of reference to compare ages. Oogh and Whu don't remember how many cold periods they suffered when they were young, but they remember how many colds the young people have survived. Oogh & Whu decide they survived five colds before their memory of it begins. Marks on their rock document each cold they can remember, plus the five they guess at. They don't have numbers, thirteen is marks on a rock. To them it seems a very long time. Each member of the tribe begins to judge their age relative to the age of Oogh and Whu. As age becomes a part of the culture, Oogh and Whu's birth year becomes the basis for the tribe's calendar. Weeks pass as they help each member of the tribe mark their own age on a flat rock. The tribe wears the rocks around their necks and develops an affinity for the concept of age. To you it seems simplistic, even cute. To the tribe it's a revelation which starts more exploration. Oogh and Whu have become the brainiacs of brainstorming, the leaders of the tribe. Would you have imagined something simple without being given the tools by a society dedicated to education, using written documentation covering two hundred generations? Maybe you would. Maybe not. To find out you only need to ask yourself what you have figured out on your own, even when given the benefit of the teachings of our society. Months pass and you get bored sitting on your observers rock, watching Oogh and Whu bask in the glory of the age revelation. The novelty of it wears off for the tribe as well. The tribe is even forgetting that the mammoth trap is supplying their improved life. A few hours a day of leisure is hard to fill without cement ponds and BBQ grills to occupy the time. Oogh and Whu move on as well. They search for new revelations and now they have age, or "time", added to their toolbox. After exploring time as far as they can and in a moment of brilliance, Oogh and Whu discover the concept of perspective. They observe the tallest tree in the canyon is far smaller than a tree closer to them. As they hike to the tall tree they notice a point in between where both trees seem to be the same size. Everyone sees this, it's accepted, it's no big deal. It becomes a deal when they do more than accept, they investigate and begin to understand it. They begin looking for ways to use this understanding. Perspective becomes another tool for their explorers toolbox. They understand distance. They learn how to approximate distance beyond the experience gained from having traveled between locations. They don't know it yet but, this is much better than remembering how far it is across the canyon, after traveling it many times. The notions of time and perspective give rise to other revelations. Each tool added to their toolbox allows more complex revelations and allows them to happen faster, more accurately and with greater certainty. Sitting on their rock looking at the sky, they don't just stare anymore. Oogh and Whu now wonder how far away are the moon and the stars. How large are they, is the moon larger or smaller than the stars? They understand, they lack the tools to answer the questions but they understand the issue. You'll never guess what our friends did next. Oogh and Whu were going nuts trying figure out which is bigger, moon or stars? The critical moment came when Oogh asked Whu 'Will we ever figure it out?'
And Whu said 'Who cares, I know it's possible for the moon to be smaller than the stars.'
Whu realized that gaining intellectual perspective on the issue, which helps understand abstract concepts, is far more important than the knowledge of the sizes of the moon and the stars. She placed comprehension above knowledge. It's an example of intellectual perspective. From now on if they don't loose it they can use intellectual perspective to keep their exploration on track. Yippee! It's their biggest tool, it gives them the ability to assign values to the importance of concepts like they just did with comprehension and knowledge. They're also recognizing knowledge and comprehension as individual characteristics of their own minds. Whu asked Oogh 'We discovered two types of perspective, do you think there are more?'
Oogh said with a grin 'Your question stepped outside the subject and looked back in. Isn't that enough?' Typical, cavewomen always wanting more. Whu used her new tool to question her new tool. Kool. In half a cold period they found the ability to trap food, perceive time, record events with marks on a rock, use physical perspective, use intellectual perspective and most of all they learned to appreciate the new tools which gives a better chance of not forgetting them, wow, come to think of it they even learned how to evaluate their own use of these tools... did we forget something? Oh, they also learned the benefits of intellectual cooperation... and comprehension is in there somewhere. Who's going to carry this toolbox? That was a real question since they don't know anyone named Who, it wasn't a claim that Who will carry it. Besides that, Who's on first. You want to tell me this story isn't true? Doubters are especially welcome in the cave. You could spend a night or ten in there. Don't worry, they have enough food to share. Bring a clothes pin to plug your nose and be ready, it's cold so somebody always wants to cuddle. Oogh and Whu found tools to help figure out their place in the universe. They're not satisfied with the things they've learned. It expanded their minds, opened their eyes to a few new ideas, but they don't have answers to the questions they haven't yet put to words. They only know they're not satisfied so every night you'll find them snuggled up on their rock while searching the sky, excited and frustrated never knowing when another revelation might come. Picking berries at the bottom of the canyon, Oogh and Whu take a break to relax in the pond. The spring is flowing fast again so the water is cool and fresh for a change. It's a day to remember even if this is the only good thing that happens.
After a long silence Oogh says 'This is a perfect time to think. No worries.'
Whu smiles and says to Oogh 'I got nothin.'
They laugh and silence returns.
Weeks later, out of the blue Whu asked Oogh 'You remember berry day in the pond?'
Oogh replied 'Did you finally think of something?''Yes, I want more berries.'
Finding tools is easier than using them. They aren't trying anymore because the issues are more difficult. Searching is not working. Waiting isn't working. I'm worried they'll get in a rut. Like so many before and after them, they will live the rest of their lives without answers. They'll never know the joy of comprehending what they are. Another cold period has come and gone. It's the first time every tribe member survived the cold. The snow is gone so Oogh and Whu can spend time sitting on their rock again.
Whu asks 'What if we're wrong?''About what Whu?''Oogh, I'm thinking maybe the stars are afraid of the moon and they hide when it passes behind them, instead of the moon passing in front and covering the stars from our view.''But Whu, that would prove the moon is bigger than the stars.'
After both having thought about it, Whu said to Oogh 'Let's pick berries tomorrow.' Time passes and our couple's rock is getting stained from them sitting on it. Days pass looking at the sky. Oogh and Whu don't even speak about their questions. Life is much easier than it was yet they want more.
Oogh say's to Whu 'I don't think the stars think.''Why not?''Do you think trees think?''Oogh, trees don't move across the sky.''Stars don't grow out of the ground Whu.'
After an hour of silence, Whu said 'Trees and stars always do the same thing.'
Oogh replied 'But not the moon. It doesn't always move the same.''Oogh, Is the moon thinking?'
More silence before Oogh said to Whu 'Let's pick berries tomorrow.' With all of their free time still spent sitting on the flat rock.
Oogh tells Whu 'Compare the trees to the moon and the stars. If we move we can see the relationship change between trees that are close and trees that are far. A tree far away on the left side of a tree that's close, moves to the right side of the close tree if we move to the right.'
With excitement Whu exclaims 'Let's try it with the moon and stars!''We'll have to move a lot Whu because the moon is farther away than the close tree, let's climb out of the canyon tonight where there's flat ground and no trees.''Too many dangerous animals up there Oogh.''We'll bring Ugh with us Whu.''Oogh I don't like Ugh! I don't want to be up there with just you and Ugh.''We'll bring everybody along, then Ugh can protect us from the animals and the tribe can protect you from Ugh.'
Oogh and Whu explained their idea to the tribe and now they're waiting for the stars to come out.
Whu again showed her concern 'It's going to be dark and Ugh will be up there so make sure you stay with me, OK?''Whu, we'll just stay away from him.''But he has to stay away from us.''Don't worry, we'll be running to look at the stars from a second perspective.'
After one of their now famous long thoughtful silences, Whu said 'Why run?'
Oogh replied 'How else do we get two perspectives from far apart in a short time? The moon and the stars will be moving so we can't waste time, if we want to know the answer, if we want to see the star move to the other side of the moon, we have to run.''No Oogh, I meant what if we could see it from both perspectives at the same time! Let's get the tribe involved, spread out, all observing the same star and the moon at the same time.' On the prairie that night the tribe spread out all looking for the same star at the same time and remembering which side of the moon it was on. Whu came up with the idea as a way of getting Ugh far away from her. Is this the first example of a large human scientific experiment? Whatever it is, it's an example of great use of their tools, one tool being fear of Ugh. With the tribe covering a distance of five canyons and the moon and the stars at the right point in the sky, with Oogh and Whu in the middle of a line of their tribe so everyone could hear, Oogh began banging two large clubs together. All along the line of observers their tribe began banging clubs together, signaling the time for everyone to note the relationship between the star and the moon. Oogh and Whu collected the observations when the tribe returned. It's unanimous except for Ugh who talked about the owl he saw in a tree, the chosen star was always on the left side of the moon regardless of the observer's perspective.
The couple looked at each other in a moment of confusion, at the same time they said 'Let's pick berries tomorrow.' First they were excited then disappointed now disheartened. Our friends spent the following day picking berries, it's their therapy, remembering berry day in the pond whenever something doesn't work out.
'Whu, the pond is clear and cool.'
With a smile 'I'm ready Oogh.'
Happy and excited they grab their berries and run down the canyon to the pond where they don't even slow down, just jump in.
'Hey Whu, the pond is deeper.''A lot deeper Oogh, I can't even touch the bottom.'
Puzzled, our couple sits on a rock and stares at the problem. The pond being deeper doesn't make them unhappy or concerned, just perplexed, it's something to figure out. Their disappointment over last night's experiment is replaced by a puzzle, they got a result last night but haven't figured out it's meaning, now they have a distraction.
'All the colds we've lived the pond has always been the same depth Whu.''I know Oogh, what happened? Why did the pond decide to be deeper?''Whu, if the trees and the stars don't think why would the pond be different?''Well Oogh, like the moon the pond doesn't always do the same thing. Sometimes it's green and hot and smelly, sometimes it's cold and even hard on top. It must be thinking about all this.''Let's pick berries Whu.''But Oogh, that's what we're doing.'
They sit and eat berries while watching the pond, waiting for it to do something new.
'Oogh, if you were the pond what would you think about us jumping in you all the time?'
A long pause as Oogh contemplates the pond's perspective.
'Well Whu, I think I'd like it because it would be something different. If I were the pond I'd be here alone most of the time so I'm pretty sure I'd like it.''Then maybe the pond decided to be deeper because it's something different. Oogh, maybe that's why it does everything it does, it's bored so it does something different.'
Just now they hear Ugh up the canyon wall, he's making noise for attention.
'Whu, is that Ugh?''I think he's still mad because we sent him so far last night and he didn't get to be near me. He's still doing what he did last night, yelling and throwing rocks into the canyon, even the little kids see how foolish he is.'
A big rock bounces down the canyon wall landing in the far end of the pond. Oogh and Whu see the splash and the wave.
'Let's get out of here Whu!''I'm with you Oogh!'
Our couple run the other way laughing at Ugh's tantrum.
As they run away Oogh asks Whu 'What do we do tomorrow to think about a problem when the problem involves berry picking?''Obviously Oogh, tomorrow we dig for roots.' Digging for roots is more a chore than a joy like berry picking. To make it worse the roots don't taste good so the couple is not enjoying the time. By middle of the day they have enough roots but the duo is dirty and want a bath. Off to the pond they go. Roots are dug in the bottom of the canyon beyond where the pond overflows, providing water for the roots to grow. Oogh and Whu approach carefully the end of the pond where Ugh was throwing rocks.
'Oogh, even Ugh couldn't make this mess, it's too many rocks.'
After much discussion, Oogh and Whu determine that Ugh caused a rock slide into the end of the pond creating a bigger dam, causing the change in the pond's depth.
'Whu, the pond wasn't thinking, it was Ugh and we know' with a smile 'he wasn't thinking.''I don't think the moon thinks Oogh, maybe there's another reason for it changing movements across the sky.''Ok Whu but I'm not digging roots in the future when we have a problem to figure out.' Intellectual perspective and objectivity have combined with their other tools, resulting in comprehension without errant supposition or superstition. Their natural logic tool has been exercised. This duo is dynamic, they know to always question their assumptions, rely on knowledge over supposition and never insert hypothesis into a logic equation.
'We can't forget this lesson Whu, it's been the root of most our problems.''We dug it out Oogh, from now on Ugh can dig roots.' 2) Oogh & Whu - Who's on First Second Third
Months pass with no revelations, nothing exciting has happened. The duo is frustrated at their inability to answer their questions. Stagnation is broken in an instant, almost...
'Oogh, why do you think?''Why do I think what Whu?''Not what, just think.''Whu, why do I just think what?''Oh never mind Oogh.''Don't cut it off like that, you wanted to know why I think something.''Exactly!''Exactly what Whu?''Why do you think something?''About what?''No Oogh, not what, anything.''First it's something then it's anything?''Oogh, listen, let me try it this way. Why do you think everything?''First it's something second it's anything and third it's everything?''Oogh, we might be digging roots.'
Frustrated, Oogh replies 'You're digging roots.''Ok Oogh, we'll save the roots for next berry day in the deep pond.' Searching the canyon, Whu eventually finds Oogh in the deep pond.
'There you are Oogh, how's the water?''It's great Whu, jump in.'
With a snicker 'You're not worried the pond will mind?''Give me a break Whu, I don't want to dig roots today, do you?''No Oogh, I don't want to dig roots, I don't want to eat roots, I don't want to see or smell roots ever again.''Great, jump in!'
Time splashes, I mean passes, while the duo relax in the deep pond.
Eventually Whu asks 'Can we open the toolbox without digging out the root shovel?''First second third, Whu?''No roots this time. I've been thinking about it.''You thinking about thinking worries me.''Where does thinking come from? That's how I should have asked it the first time.'
Smiling 'Thinking what Whu?''Be serious.''Ok, I figured out the question you asked but not the answer.''So what do you think?''I think it's a question bigger than the size of the moon and the stars. I don't think we can answer this one either.'
After the longest silence they've ever experienced, Whu quietly said 'I want the answer, thinking is in my head and I know it, that's where it's happening and I want to know why it happens and why it happens there. Oogh, why does it scare you?'
In the first truly serious berry picking voice Whu has ever heard from Oogh 'Finding the answer could change everything.'
Big smile on her face 'First it has to change something and second it has to change anything, everything is third.''Whu, like everything else we won't figure it out until we're ready to understand it.' Sitting alone on thier rock, Oogh is concentrating and absentmindedly muttering.
Slowly and silently 'Why do I think? Why do I think? Why do I think?'
Whu finds him there. 'What are you doing Oogh?''Quiet, I'm thinking.''Are you sure?''No.''Are you trying your hardest?''Whu, If I was, I'd be sure.''If you say so, uhm, not sure I get it tho.''I was trying to think about thinking.''It wasn't working?''No Whu, I don't think it was working.''How long?''A couple hours before you interrupted.''Oogh, when I think I don't know I'm doing it. Jus sorta happens and surprises me most times.''I know, the only times thinking works when I know I'm thinking, is when I'm thinking it with you.''I thought that too.''Whu, when I think alone I don't think I use words to think.''I don't think thoughts have words Oogh.''So what are they?''First second third Oogh.''Whu, I think we just found first. It's... what are thoughts? If we can figure out what thoughts are then we could understand why we think.''Maybe.''You're not so sure?''Maybe Oogh, maybe. We've been burned before while jumping to conclusions.''Distraction seems to help, let's jump in the deep pond.' Time keeps slipping away. Our pals are stymied by the difficulty of figuring out concepts for which their society has no knowledge.
'We found first.''That was weeks ago.''But Oogh, we found it.''We don't know what to do with it. What do we do with it Whu?''Understand it.''How?''Pick berries?''Whu, they're all gone till after the cold period.''We can pick berries without picking berries Oogh.''The pond is too cold.''We have time before dark, Oogh, let's climb Ugh's rock.''YOU want to climb Ugh's rock?''He's out of the canyon digging big roots with the kids. Let's climb Ugh's rock, we can see everything from up there.'
Oogh said with a grin 'You know we're not ready for everything, it's third.''No jokes Oogh, I'm climbing Ugh's rock.''It never helped Ugh think.''We're not Ugh. Are you coming with me or not?''I'm willing if you think it will help us get past first.'
After a half hour climb 'Oogh, the view is great!''Remember tiger rock Whu?' pointing 'It's over there, past the deep pond.''Wow Oogh, now I know why Ugh spends so much time up here, he sees what everybody's doing in the entire canyon.''He always claims he's watching out for dangerous animals to protect everybody.''It's been four colds since he killed the tiger on that rock.''Whu, do you think there are any more tigers?''I don't know what to think about tigers Oogh, I came up here to figure out what thoughts are.'
Big smile 'Whu, it's nice but there's no berries to pick way up here.' Still no progress, frustration deepens for them. Oogh and Whu are getting desperate, it's night time and middle of the cold period. For months they've been consumed by nothing more than survival, but this night Whu's mind is on their exploration.
'Oogh I'm scared.''Why?''The cold is half over and we still don't understand first.''Whu, you're not scared, just thinking too much.''Then I'm worried about it. What if we never understand what thinking is?'
Long silence snuggled together in the cold dark cave before Oogh said 'I think it's just what we do, like the trees and the stars and the deep pond.''That's what scares me Oogh. I don't want to be like the trees and the stars and the deep pond. I want to know what I am.''Be happy you can ask the question.'
Ugh understands nothing of the concept and he feels even more inferior now. In a loud voice Ugh said 'It means nothing. Even you don't understand it.'
An unidentified voice from the darkness 'Knock it off Ugh, you're the one who understands nothing.'
More voices 'The whole tribe is trying to figure this out except you.''We all want to know.''Ugh, think about it so you understand what we're talking about.''Oogh and Whu came up with a challenge, something to make our lives mean something, even more if we can understand it.'
Oogh speaks 'Whu, we have to put words to it, that's the problem. Or goal is a happy third. If we can explain the question to Ugh then we'll know what thoughts are, we can move on to second, whatever it is.''Oogh, we don't even know if there is a second or third, those are just our confusion over asking the question.'
Ugh asked 'What question?''Ugh, I'll tell you again, Whu asked me why do I think.'
Silence from Ugh but Whu said 'He'll never get it.''Whu, it's OK if he doesn't because explaining it, that's our way to pick berries this time.' Months pass, the cold is over and berries are everywhere, but Ugh never understood the idea... that the rest of the tribe is trying to answer a question.
'Oogh, it's a berry pickin kind of day and you need a bath!''We figured out first. Whu, maybe today we can find second.'
Full of berries the couple splashes.
Later on their rock overlooking the deep pond, Whu said to Oogh 'So we all understand first but can't put words to it.''It's an oddball of a question Whu, leave it to you to ask.''But it bothers me we can't put words to it Oogh.''We decided to call it first, it's thought, no words explain it, you just accept and understand it. At least it's not like the trees and the stars and the deep pond. Whu, give up on the words, thoughts don't have words.'
Pouting, Whu quietly said 'Still bothers me.''It shouldn't, asking the question was brilliant and it's your accomplishment.''When I know I'm thinking the thoughts have words.''We agreed that's not thoughts, it's you converting thoughts to words so you can talk to other people about everything.''Then why don't I have words to describe what thoughts are?' Time passses relentlessly and now it's the height of the warm period, Oogh and Whu are still perplexed with what they are.
'I'm understanding first more and more every day Oogh.''Everybody is.''Guess it just took time.''Whu, some things have to sink in, like sinking in the deep pond.''Race you!'
Breathless double splash and Whu exclaimed 'I win!''Why? We got here at the same time.'
Laughing, Whu said 'I asked the question and that's the tie breaker.'
Unlike the age revelation, first isn't wearing off so fast.
Later on the pond rock Whu quietly said 'Oogh, I get it.''We all do Whu.''No Oogh, time for second?''If you've got a thought.''No... Wait!' pause 'I got nothin.''Whu, I've been thinking about second but, like first, I don't know how to say it.''I get that, I've been trying to find a way to explain what I'm thinking too.''Whu, It's like first isn't it, no words explain it, you have to think it?''You got it don't you?''I think so Whu.''Oogh! What do we call second?''Second?''It's too important, how about comprehension?''Whu, does that mean understanding?''Even more Oogh, it means you thought and figured out something in a way too big for words.''Ok, comprehension means more than understanding, for instance, comprehending a concept described in the words you understood.''Right, you might understand words but like Ugh, not comprehend the meaning. Maybe you can even repeat the words without understanding the concept they described, that's good memory but it's not comprehension.''Second it is.'
Laughing 'How do we tell the tribe?''Let em figure it out on their own, I guess.' Excited now, since figuring out Second, Oogh and Whu constantly pick berries. Whatever else they might be doing, berry picking is their primary focus.
'Ready for third?''Whu, we don't even know if there is a third.''Yes we do, just not what it is. Third is what we are.''We know what we're not. We're not like the trees or the stars or the deep pond.''Oogh, we know so much, it's in there somewhere.''Ok Whu, third is what am I.''Ugh is the tiger killer.''I don't think that's right. Tiger killing is something he did once long ago, it's not what he is.''Then what is Ugh?''Same as us?''Maybe.''Whu, you think Ugh is not like us?''Maybe.''You think he's like the stars?''No, maybe in between?''Whu, is "what am I?" like first and second?''Exactly Oogh, you get it too don't you?''As soon as I figured out first, second and third came right along with it.''We were ready, we figured it out on our own.''Whu we never had a reason to be afraid of this. Knowing what you are is the best. I mean, comprehending what you are is the best!''Oogh, the mystery and the difficulty is... nobody can tell you, you have to figure it out by yourself. Other people can point in the direction but you have to figure it out by yourself!''Can we agree on a word for it?''I like epiphany, it sounds like the moment felt.' It never ends. Oogh and Whu have become purely intellectual beings, only concerned with exploring the universe. No question is trivial. No answer is left unexamined. They're involved in perpetual thought experiement. For the first time, their lives have meaning and purpose.
'Whu, I've been thinking again and I don't think epiphany is enough. Epiphany was only the beginning, only the event.''Oogh, are you digging roots or looking for fourth?''I don't think there was a first, a second, a third or a fourth. I think it's all one.''I second that.'
Smiling 'By second, you mean you comprehend it?''We comprehend it Oogh and your reply proved it to me again. I said something and you showed comprehension of what I said. You proved you're thinking and your thoughts resulted in understanding what I meant, even when I didn't really say it. That proved you understood my thought behind the words.''Whu, I think that's how to use words to communicate beyond words.''You're right, words don't describe it, comprehension has to be communicated in thoughts.''We started doing that by finding out what the other person hears when we say something. Whu, that's second!''Finding a way of communicating thoughts?''No, second is... words have more than one meaning, sometimes, depending on how you put them together and what you mean when you say it.''That is, really that's second!''It's interpretation Whu.''Oogh, it's what Ugh is missing.''He can't comprehend most new ideas until he hears them a lot, for a long time.''Whu, that's just memory, not comprehension, like the stars remember where to go in the sky because they've always done it. Comprehension is the tool that shows us we're different than the stars and the moon and the deep pond.''I want more tools.'
Sheesh, cavewomen always wanting more. Oogh and Whu figured out the difference between comprehension and knowledge. A book contains knowledge, a sapient being can retain knowledge and, if they work at it, they can also comprehend. Neither does a bit of good without awareness of the activity, another aspect of comprehension. There's a way of demonstrating to other minds which one you are displaying and at the same time get evidence of their comprehension in return. You know you're not talking to a book replaying knowledge that was taught. This rarely happens in human communication unless one person forces it, even then the other person must be able to comprehend what's going on. 3) Oogh & Whu - Beyond Sentience
It's a new life, perhaps a life never lived before. Oogh and Whu are no longer animals surviving in a difficult environment. That is now a simple requirement of their bodies. Oogh and Whu have become far more with most of their tribe also evolving. Small advancements occur often, providing more tools to fuel their perpetual thought experiement.
'Whu, more tools?''So you're still thinking about that?''You ask the best questions.''Ok, what am I thinking now?''You want to dig roots?''Close Oogh, instead of more tools we need more experience.''Really Whu? I'd like to explore more than thinking.''Beyond the canyon?''Yep.''Size of the moon and the stars?''We could follow and find where they go during the day.''But Oogh, it's dangerous.''We have the tools now, I'm not afraid anymore.''People did that a long time ago, they found the canyon and stayed.''Doesn't mean they found the best Whu, just the last.''Experiences are berry picking outside our minds?''The only way we'll ever know what's out there.''Everybody who goes to big mountain comes back scared or doesn't come back.''But we understand.''But they came back with horror stories.''They didn't understand.''That doesn't mean we'll come back.''Will we want to come back?' Oogh and Whu are excited by a big adventure in the planning stage. Deep down they don't truly believe they'll go to Big Mountain, but thinking about it is an exploration of a different type. The couple's enthusiasm builds over time until it becomes their only topic of discussion.
'Oogh, what will we find beyond big mountain?''Something, anything or everything, Whu.''You forgot nothing Oogh.''Correct, I got all three.''No, what if it's nothing?''Whu, we had a failure to communicate.''You knew what I meant by nothing?''Yes Whu, but I was too subtle, you didn't get it.' smiling 'We'll get better at this.''I guess we'll come back to the canyon if we find nothing beyond big mountain.''Whu, I'm sure we'll find something.''Oh Oogh, I hope it's a deeper pond or Ugh's rock with a better view.''You still want to explore thinking, Whu?''You got it this time, Oogh.''You could have meant that you'll miss the canyon but, I knew you didn't.''Hey Oogh! Listen to this. We are communicating in three ways, what is said, what is heard and what is intended. It's three aspects of the same thing.''It's beautiful when they're the same, if we see it, Whu.''Oogh, no matter what is said, the intent is understood.''Is that a fourth aspect to communication?''I don't think so, what is heard has two meanings. Oogh, the words are heard, and what is intended is also heard but only in thoughts.''Maybe the fourth aspect is the reply?''This is a beautiful day, Oogh.''A deep pond sorta day, Whu?''Ok, for a bath only because now we can think without distraction.''It's not random anymore. We can think anytime.''Now we're ready for fourth. No more perceiving everything from the perspective and repetition of our past. Think about everything always, then apply the past to what you think at the moment.''Every moment from now on forever?''Hope so, don't forget intellectual perspective for a moment.''You're a tree if you do!''I'll hold you to that.'
Running and laughing, off to the deep pond.
Hours later 'Whu, we never answered your question.''Question?''Why do I think.''Sure we did.''I don't think so. We only figured out what thinking is, and how to communicate thoughts without words to prove we're thinking.''Uh Oh, you're right, we never answered why we think.''Maybe sometimes we still need deep pond distraction.''I'm hungry, wanna pick berries?''We're finally done digging roots.''Optimism?''For now.''Optimism or roots?''Go to sleep and be sure to think in your dreams too.'
Snoring throughout the cave.
'What are dreams?''Goodnight.''I want more tools.''Goodnight.''Now, about the big mountain...'
Oogh interrupted 'You wanna stay awake and talk all night?''Really, did you have to ask that question?''Goodnight Whu.'
Laughing 'Asking the best questions is easy around here.'
Chorus from the dark cave 'GO TO SLEEP!'
Sheesh, cavewomen always wanting more. At least they're not being dragged around by their hair. Surviving another cold period makes spring in the canyon a great time of year. Warm weather brings new sources of food and Deep Pond is warming up. Soon there'll be berries on the vines.
'Oogh, the deep pond isn't hard on top anymore.''Still too cold.''Could go look at it, and think about the other side of big mountain?''Whu, we have work to do. It's our day to watch the kids.''And Ugh.''Same thing Whu, same thing.''Let's take Ugh and the kids to fix the mammoth trap, Ugh can handle that and keep the kids busy while we supervise from a rock above.''You just want to talk all day about big mountain.''Oogh, it's the right time. We've been talking about it too long. We should go now, we'll have until the next cold, plenty of time to explore. If we find a place and want to stay then we'll have more time to get ready before the next cold. Every day we wait might be a day less to prepare at the deeper pond we might find. Also I want...'
Oogh interrupts 'Stop, I'm convinced.''Also, I want us to be the people who start a new tribe in a better place, like they did here long ago.''This place is not very good.''Oogh, the pond and the cave are all they found here, until your mammoth trap the tribe was starving.''You're right Whu, we've learned enough to do better. I only hope it's more than those who found the canyon.' Oogh and Whu were never alone, they always had the tribe and the canyon. With no travel experience they only thought of walking to big mountain. As they did with the moon, they underestimated the distance to big mountain. Almost no plans and no supplies, no thought of how they'd get food and water, shelter and protection from dangerous animals, all they did was speculate on what they'd find.
While pointing into some bushes nearby, Oogh said 'Get down Whu, over there.''Tiger?''Something I've never seen.''Oogh, it's small.''So are snakes!''It's white and furry, small mouth and eating roots Oogh. We're safe.''We're not safe Whu, we need food and water.''I'm not gong back to the canyon with horror stories. We need to find what we need.'
Whu swings her club hitting the bushes, small white and furry hops away.
'Oogh, it was eating the orange roots.'
Days later 'This isn't a cave, it's barely keeping the rain off us.'
With a smile 'Whu, it's warm, you have water and a bath.''I like orange roots Oogh.''Look Whu, we found something, everything and anything even before big mountain.''It's warm, walking in the rain might be safer Oogh, dangerous animals seem to be hiding.''Let's go Whu!''Learn as you go.''That's why we're here!' More days pass. After crossing barren landscape without water, Oogh and Whu sit on a rock atop a small mountain. Looking at another prairie reminds them of the familiar setting they knew at home.
'It's nice Whu.''We'll find a deep pond there.'
Pointing to the right, Oogh said 'If we go that way I think it will be safest, there's trees and no animals.''Trees mean water too Oogh.''Let's go, we can get there before dark.'
At dusk they find fruit trees they've never seen before
'Oogh, the fruit has water in it!'
The next morning traveling through the trees 'Whu look! Water!''Oogh, why does the narrow pond move?''I don't know, just drink, too many dangerous animals here.'
Back in the trees 'Let's follow the narrow pond to see where it goes. We'll have water too.''Ok Whu, not too close, dangerous animals everywhere near the narrow pond.'
More days pass.
When finally exiting the trees, Whu exclaimed 'Look, we're here!''Finally, big mountain.''It's bigger than we thought Oogh.''Should we stay here and look for a canyon?''NO! We're going beyond big mountain! We have to know what's there!''But Whu, it's so big we didn't even know about the smaller mountains in front of it.''Oogh, look, big mountain is still cold on top. We have to know everything.''It's too high Whu, not like Ugh's rock.' Days pass with plenty of food and water. Oogh and Whu recuperate at the edge of the forest. They find a deep spot in the narrow pond that moves, they think about their deep pond.
'Whu, I think we're strong enough to climb big mountain, but not the highest part. We could keep going and find the other side if we make a plan and follow it.''No more mistakes, no more going where there's no food or water?''We always have to look ahead.'
The couple spend days traveling, searching for food, water and shelter. They learned their tools were not enough, thinking doesn't solve every problem on it's own, sometimes you need experience and thinking to combine.
'Whu, we've already done what we started out to do.''How?''We wanted experiences added to our thinking tools. Now we're using both.''It's our first new tool in a while Oogh. Can we call it predicting?''It's not absolute, it sure is helping.''We're close to the top of big mountain. Now that we can predict instead of speculate, what do you think we'll find on the other side?''Look down below off in the distance Whu, that's what we'll find on the other side.''We still have to look.''Maybe we'll find the one's who left the canyon and never came back.''Agreed? We continue?''Let's go!''We'll be close to the moon tonight, maybe we can answer that question.'
The duo climbs higher, excited with renewed determination and confidence. Reaching the top of the last rock, they sit, they stare, they don't speak or look away, they don't even look at each other, hours pass where even blinking their eyes is a rare event, the moon and stars cross the sky but our friends never look up.
The following morning Whu said to Oogh 'Nobody who came back got this far.''They would have told us about this.''We can never follow the moon over there, where it goes during the day.''The moon and the stars are too far.'
Hours later and still sitting on the same rock, still staring into the distance at the far side of big mountain
'That pond is bigger than the entire world.''It's massive!'
More hours pass.
'I'm hungry and thirsty.''Let's go!''We need a plan!''That way!'
They begin climbing down the far side of big mountain. Two days pass while the duo climbs down the far side. They find food and shelter with ease, accurately predicting where it will be found, learning to plan ahead. They jump in when they get to massive pond.
'Oogh, it smells funny.''Tastes funny too Whu.''Ouch! Something bit me Oogh!''Get out of here!'
Thirsty and hungry, Oogh and Whu sat on the sand for hours while contemplating massive pond.
Oogh said 'Whu, this is why we heard horror stories.''Because it's horrible?''No, because the others didn't have the tools.''They didn't think it out?''Right.''Oogh, if we go back to the canyon, I mean, if we go back we can't go back until we understand here.''If we go back now anything we say will be horror stories. Nobody will follow us here, nobody else will even try.''Let's not worry about that now, we need food and water, later we'll need shelter.''There was water in the hills behind us, trees too, with food.''The cave we found last night is big enough for us.''And close enough to explore massive pond during the day!''Hey, look at us predicting!'
Our explorers spend time learning a new life in the small cave in the hills by massive pond.
Late one night 'Oogh, what happens when the cold comes? Are we ready?''I don't think so, when massive pond blows at us it comes into the small cave. It's not cold yet but the wind is already cold.''We need more exploring.''Goodnight Whu.''Oogh, I want more tools.'
Cavewomen, give em an inch, always wanting more... they ask the best questions. Quiet and fearful, the duo is wet and shivering in the cold.
'All night long Oogh, all night long.''What does it mean Whu?''Massive pond is telling us to go back to the canyon.''Massive pond is the same as deep pond, it's not like us, we don't listen to the trees and the stars or even the moon. Massive pond isn't telling us anything.''Something is telling us something.'
Smiling 'Something is first. Whu, first is far behind us, it's back in the canyon.''We've been scared and digging roots the last few days Oogh.''Ready to pick berries?''Anytime you're ready.' Hours pass while Oogh and Whu sit quietly in the entrance to small cave in the hills, looking beyond massive pond. They watch as the sky slightly clears, giving hope for improvement in the condition that scared them.
'Oogh, is this like the storms at the canyon, only bigger?''Everything is bigger here, Whu. The pond, the hills, the animals, the trees, everything.''Why not the storms?''This is a horror story we heard before. They didn't explain it right. Nobody understood. We didn't believe it.''And the monsters in the water, that jump out to eat people?''Not monsters Whu, not horror story, just animals we've seen. They live in the water.'
Smiling 'The small ones taste good!''And your favorite roots too.''I like playing with small white and furies.''Whu, you just like hopping around behind them.''Oogh! This place is better than the canyon. Should we go back for the tribe?''Maybe this is not the best, we still need to explore more.''I don't want to go back until after the cold Oogh, we can't travel in the cold.''When the storm is done we need to start looking for a better cave, for the next cold.''What if massive pond gets hard on top? We won't be able to get food from it.''No more playing with small white furies, we have work to do before the cold.'
Later, Whu said 'Oogh, maybe I have enough tools.''No Whu, never enough tools.''Good. I was worried you stopped looking for them with me.'
Hours later the storm gave way. With a ray of sunshine warming them, our friends sat at the entrance to their small cave.
Never satisfied and with a giant smile, Whu said 'I want more tools.''Whu, we always have to look for more tools... and always use the tools we have.''You're a tree if you don't!' 4) Oogh & Whu - Inside Our Minds
Exploration continues on two levels, Perpetual Thought Experiement and their Walk-About on the far side of Big Mountain.
'Goodbye small cave in the hills by massive pond.''Whu, stop saying goodbye to everything. Let's get going.''But Oogh, I'm waiting for the sun.''We don't know how far we'll have to travel today. Get moving now or we might not find shelter tonight.''One tiger Oogh, one tiger and I'm coming right back here until after the cold, then I'm going back to the canyon with small white furies under each arm.''You got your wish Whu.''What wish?''You wanted more tools. You just found a new one.''Where?''Under each arm.''Small white furies are a tool?''They represent a tool.''I don't understand, what are you thinking?''Finish saying goodbye Whu, we'll find a rock and pick berries later.'
Days pass as Oogh and Whu travel along the shore of massive pond. They find no shelter but food and water are plentiful, only a few dangerous animals and not a tiger anywhere in sight. Sitting on a rock looking across massive pond as the sun sets,
Whu asks Oogh 'What did you mean about the new tool?''What new tool Whu?''When we left the small cave, you said small white furies under each arm is a new tool.''Oh, that new tool.'
Pause. 'What new tool were you talking about?''It's hard Whu.''What's hard?''It's hard to explain.''Another tool without words?''Not exactly but, small white furies are the result of the new tool, they represent it.''Why are you resisting telling me about this new tool?''I'm not resisting Whu, I'm trying to find a word for it.''Ok Oogh, let me know when you think of a word.''Right now we need a safe place to sleep, no time for berry picking.'
Oogh and Whu spend the night on the beach near the water. They decided it's the safest place and they take turns sleeping. In case of danger they can run into the water for protection, dangerous animals don't follow. The next morning the couple finds food and water then continues their search for a place better than the canyon and the small cave in the hills.
'Oogh, it's perfect!''Maybe Whu.''What's wrong? It's bigger than the cave in the canyon, the floor is flat and the entrance is small, we can close it with rocks at night.''Whu, I'm using our predicting tool. The floor is flat and covered in sand. It worries me.''You think massive pond might come in here?''I'm sure of it Whu. This cave is too close. Massive pond washed in the sand.''Let's at least stay a few days and rest, in the morning we can find food and water.''Ok but, we sleep by the entrance and watch massive pond. If it comes close we run.' More weeks pass exploring the coast of massive pond. These two are having the time of a lifetime, like no other people before them.
'Oogh, this cave is good. Massive pond can't flood this cave. The entrance is hidden and it's even protected from massive pond blowing at us.''I agree Whu, and there's clean water coming out of the mountain and this canyon is only open on the side facing massive pond and big animals don't come here.''And Oogh, plenty of food and it's close to massive pond for more food.''We stay here until after the cold?''Yes Oogh, I like it. All it needs is small white furies.''New tool or your friends?''Both.''We haven't picked berries in a long time.''Exploring takes all of our time.''Whu, we need to rest for a while then we need to get ready for the cold.'
Weeks pass while the duo prepare for the cold. They learn their way around the new location, they find sources of food and discover new foods they like. Learning the terrain gives them more confidence, they feel safe in the canyon by massive pond. More weeks pass. Oogh and Whu get stronger with good food and a safe place to rest.
'Oogh, this is the best canyon and the best cave. We'll never find anything better than this.''Wait till the cold comes Whu. After the cold, then we'll know.''Oogh, what if we do like Ugh? What if we cause a rock slide above the cave to close off part of the entrance?''Good Idea Whu, how many tools did you use to think of it?'
Smiling 'All of them Oogh.''You're a tree if you don't.' Rested, relaxed, safe and comfortable, they are finding leisure time again and this time it's due to better environment instead of a mammoth trap. Oogh and Whu are done exploring outside their minds, at least until after the cold.
'Oogh, under each arm?''Under each arm is thinking about small white furies, thinking about horror stories that might happen and then putting limits on future choices. Deciding in advance what to do.''Sounds like predicting Oogh.''That's why it's been hard to explain what I'm thinking. Small white furies represent the tool that let you do it. Small white furies represent the tool that made you use the other tools.''Still not close to comprehension Oogh. You're digging roots again.''It might take too many words Whu.''Like first? Nobody can tell us, we all have to figure it out on our own?''No, not like epiphany Whu. I just have to find examples, more examples because under each arm wasn't enough.'
Pause to think, more pause staring across the canyon.
'Oogh, look over there, where the water comes out of the rocks.'
Is there a distraction on the way? Happens whenever they can't think through a problem, they look for something else to do.
'Ok Whu, look at what?''Look below Oogh, and then look above.''Whu! Are you thinking Ugh again?''Yep, I'm thinking Ugh again.''We could have a pond here!''Good for baths, good for berry picking.''Not until after the cold.''We won't be able to use it until after the cold.''Build it now? We'll have more fresh water. Even if it gets hard on top we'll still have water, just like deep pond.''Let's go!''ROCK SLIDE!'
A week later Oogh and Whu sit on a big rock above their new pond, Whu said
'Oogh, I like it.''It's small Whu.''But it's deep.''Not as deep as deep pond in the canyon.''Deep enough Oogh.''Whu, is it warm enough?''Maybe, warm for a short splash.'
After a very brief bath the couple is back on big rock by small pond, shivering and trying to get warm in the sun.
'Oogh, shouldn't it be too cold by now?''Seems like the cold forgot to come this time.''I think it's over Oogh.''Whu, if the cold here is like this, if it's already done, if there's no more cold coming then this is the best place.''Either way it's much better than the canyon.' Elusive, it's the tool that wouldn't come...
'Oogh, under each arm?''I told you weeks ago Whu, I don't know how to explain what I'm thinking.''YOU don't know.''But you do, Whu?''Pretty sure.''Tell me.''I'm calling it emotion. Small white furies under each arm comes from emotion, it's the tool they represent. I was afraid of the future, afraid of what would happen if we left small cave in the hills. I got confidence to start the trip by knowing what to do if exploring didn't work out.''You got it.''Oogh, I love small white furies.''A new word or emotion?''Not a new emotion Oogh, I love you too. Love and fear are emotions, I think there's a lot of them Oogh. Small white furies are the result of emotion, they were comforting.''Roots Whu, now you're digging roots.''I was afraid of being on the prairie with Ugh. Fear helped me. I was predicting back then and didn't comprehend I was doing it. Being afraid of Ugh made me search for a way of avoiding him.''That's how emotion helps?''I think so.''But Whu, emotion causes problems too, at least fear does. It kept us in the canyon where we were starving.''I think love causes problems also Oogh. They both do both, cause problems and solve problems. The rest of our tools have to keep away the problems caused by emotions.''Ok Whu, now you understand under each arm.''That's what you couldn't explain?''I love you too Whu. Not so fond of small white furies, they spend too much time digging roots in the animal stink piles. If you find more maybe you could give them a bath.''Before the mammoth trap you would have called them dinner.''I designed the trap and you asked the question, look where it got us.''Oogh, the cold is over.''You want to get the tribe?''I'm worried, who died this cold? Who will die next cold if we don't save them? We can't live here while they're freezing and starving.''See, that's a problem caused by emotion. Now we have to go all the way back to the canyon just because we love them.''Oogh, I still want more tools.''Go to sleep.''Can we stay in small cave in the hills on our way back to the canyon?''Go to sleep.''Small white furies are simple, Ugh will like them.''Trying to use your emotion tool against me? Forget it, no green eyed monsters in this cave.'
Pouting, Whu said 'Go to sleep.' The road home is long, but familiar and not nearly as difficult as the trip they made to get here.
'Hey Oogh! Is that vulture rock ahead?''I think so Whu.''We're close to small cave in the hills.''Good, we need to rest and get our strength back before climbing over big mountain.''I can't wait for more orange roots and the fruit with water in it.''How about small white furies?'
Smiling, Whu said 'I'd like to see them, but I don't need them right now.'
Weeks pass and the couple gains strength staying in small cave. They climb over big mountain and find the deep part in the narrow pond that moves.
'Oogh, there's even more dangerous animals here than before.''But there's also more berries and more water.''Where are small white furies when you need them?''Under each arm Whu, just pretend you're dreaming and they'll be there.'
Weeks later 'Whu, we can't make the same mistake we made before. We have to find a way around this area.''There's no food and no water out there Oogh.''We only made it before because of the trees and food and water on this side. That's behind us now, on the other side there's almost nothing until close to the canyon.''Oogh, now I really need, well you know.''Small white furies?''It will take longer but, if we go around that way maybe there's food and water.''But Whu, if we don't find it we'll be in trouble.''We can come back and do what we did before, rest in the trees with food and water, to get ready for the short way.'
Smiling, Oogh said 'Whu, look over there in the bushes.''I love you small white furies!''Whu, I think they're telling us to go ahead.''Ok Oogh, but this time we go fast.'
Using the new tools and experience they've gained, Oogh and Whu quickly cross the barren landscape without water.
'Whu, how far to the canyon?''We're tired, I think we need to rest a few days.''How far do you think, after we rest?''Only two or three days Oogh.''The kids should be bigger now.''Maybe there's new kids too.''Whu, I hope nobody is gone.''Even Ugh?''Well yes Whu, even Ugh.''You love Ugh?''Don't go that far. There's nothing small white and furry about Ugh.'
Smiling again, Whu said 'He smells like them.''Whu, do you think long ago the others found the canyon after crossing the barren area?''Maybe Oogh, the canyon would look good after that.''For a small tribe it would still be good.''The new place is good for a big tribe. We just need to get them there.' 5) Oogh & Whu - Our Minds are Easy
Arriving home, the canyon is somehow different. Confusion turns to fear... their emotion tool works overtime. Oogh and Whu's survival depends on the comfort of home, but it's denied. Their situation is desperate and they lack the tools to decipher madness.
'Whu look!''Who is it Oogh?''I can't tell, I don't recognize him.''He's bigger than Ugh.''Quick, get behind the bushes before he spots us.''Can't be one of the kids, they couldn't get that big in one cold period.''Look over there in the trees, is that Aahl and Wha?''I hope that's Wha. Oogh, I miss my sister.''Stay down until the big one is gone.'
Minutes later Whu calls out 'Wha! Over here! It's me and Oogh!'
Aahl and Wha run into the trees and disappear.
'Oogh, why?''I don't know Whu, they should be happy to see us.''We need to pick berries real fast Oogh.'
Our couple spends the night in the trees above their old canyon. In the morning they can pick berries to figure out what's going on and what to do next. Fear settles in. Desperation overcomes logic, for a time.
'Whu, it's morning, what do we do now?''We need water.''It's been a long time since we had any mammoth.''I'm tired and weak.''Should we go into the canyon?''No choice Oogh.'
At the edge of the canyon 'Whu, is that the big one?''Where Oogh?''Sitting on Ugh's rock.''That's him.''He'll see us if we get closer Whu.''Still no choice Oogh.'
They begin climbing down the canyon wall on a trail they grew up climbing. It's the familiar world they've always known. It's the place they always felt safe yet somehow, and they don't understand why, now they're afraid. Oogh and Whu climb down to the deep pond and jump in. They're so happy to be home that they forget the fear from minutes ago. Oogh and Whu drink and bathe, they relax a short time until they hear a noise in the bushes above.
Whu yells out 'Wha! Is that you?'
More noise in the bushes, but no reply.
Then a voice 'Who are you?''It's us, Oogh and Whu! We're home! We found a better canyon!'
More noise in the bushes, the voice replies 'Oogh and Whu are dead. Who are you?'
Oogh answered 'Come down and find out.' Confrontation! Their family is no more. The cause is a mystery. Ugh steps out of the bushes and climbs closer to deep pond.
'Get out of here. This is our canyon!'
Whu replies 'Ugh, it's us. This is our canyon too.''Not any more, too many people here. Leave now.'
Oogh said 'No Ugh, we're not leaving.'
Ugh throws a large rock at them, it splashes in the water nearby.
'Oogh, we better get out of here.'
The duo runs across the canyon and climbs to the trees above, hiding to pick berries on the situation. They climb the tree they played in as kids but now... the tree is small white furies under each arm. The tree is also a good hiding place.
'Oogh, did emotion just cause a problem? Or is it a good thing?''I don't know yet Whu, I only know it's fear right now.''We don't have tools for this, we never saw anything like this before.''Wait, the tools we have will work.'
Hours pass in the tree without their tools performing.
'Oogh, I'm still scared.''Me too Whu. We can't go back to massive pond, we're not ready, we won't make it without rest.''Maybe if we find Wha alone, maybe then she'll tell us what's happening.''We need food Whu. Let's check the mammoth trap, we'll find food if they got one recently.'
Oogh and Whu climb down and carefully walk through the trees to check the trap.
'Oogh, the trap! They're not fixing it.''I don't think it's been used since we left Whu.''How could they all survive the cold?''They couldn't Whu, they couldn't. We only know Aahl and Wha and Ugh are here, and whoever the big one is.''Oogh, there's always big roots over the hill, that way.''You don't like big roots Whu.''Now I'm hungry enough to eat anything.'
Over the hill 'Oogh, no big roots. There are always big roots here!''No mammoth, no big roots, I didn't see any berries in the canyon.''Oogh, I get more afraid all the time. What are they thinking?''I don't know Whu. Looks like our minds are easy compared to theirs. We have to pick berries on this and I don't know if we have the right tools.' The tribe is dealing with a problem of their own. Oogh and Whu's return makes that situation worse. But what is the cause? After dark in the cave.
Ugh whispers to Wha 'It was your sister. It was Oogh. They said they found a better canyon.''You scared them away?''I had to, Bha made me.''You didn't hurt them?''No, my rock hit the water a long way from them.'
Smiling, Wha said 'My sister is not dead.''Wha, the old tribe needs to know.''Ugh, only the people we can trust. Don't tell anyone else, tomorrow we'll go find Oogh and Whu.'
Next morning Ugh and Wha individually search for Oogh and Whu. Our couple spent the night in their old tree.
'Oogh, look over there. That's Ugh.''Quiet Whu, we don't know what's happening, maybe he wants to hurt us.'
Ugh passes below the tree without looking up. Hours go by while the duo speculates, predicting is beyond them for this problem. They hear a voice nearby quietly calling out.
'Whu! Where are you? Where are you Whu?'
Oogh asks Whu 'Is that Wha? Sounds like her.''I think so Oogh.''Which way is she?''I don't know yet, be quiet.'
Long pause while Wha continues to call for her sister.
Whu points and say's 'Oogh, that way. She's that way, coming towards us.''Do you see anyone else Whu?''No do you?''No.'
Whu replies, quietly at first 'Wha, over here.'
No response so they both begin calling. Wha runs to the tree and looks up.
'Whu! Everybody said you were dead.'
Whu replied 'You don't look good Wha, what's going on here?''It's Bha, his tribe came right after you went to big mountain.''Climb up and talk to us Wha, we'll tell you and you tell us.' Reunion in the tree allowed the sisters and Oogh to tell each other everything about the last year. Oogh and Whu made Wha happy with the chance for a better life in a new canyon. Wha made Oogh and Whu more afraid with the last year's events in the old canyon. Ugh passed by the tree again, still searching for the duo. Wha assured them it was safe and they invited Ugh to join the conversation. Fear is less and confidence higher with four in the group.
Oogh asks 'Ugh, why is Bha in charge?''He's big and he's the only one who knows Ghal.'
Wha speaks 'Ghal is the invisible one. He only talks to Bha. Ghal tells Bha what to do. If we don't do it, Ghal will kill us like he killed you two.'
Oogh answered 'We don't know Ghal. He didn't kill us.''Bha said he did.''You believed him?''Ghal told Bha you were dead. Ghal tells Bha everything.''Why are you starving?'
Ugh replied 'Ghal told Bha not to trap mammoth.'
Wha said 'I think Bha didn't understand how the mammoth trap works. He didn't want to admit he's like the stars and deep pond and the trees. He just said Ghal told him not to trap anymore.'
Whu asked 'There's no roots and no berries, why?''Ghal takes a lot of the food. Bha's tribe is big, they eat a lot.''What does Ghal do with the food?''We put it out on the prairie for him. He never takes it, the food rots on the ground or animals get it.'
Wha warns the duo 'Don't go to the cave. Hide if you see anyone unless they call your names, even from our tribe because most of them are not our tribe anymore.'
Ugh added 'Wha and I will only tell the people you can trust that you are here.'
Wha assured them 'We'll get you food before dark, just stay right here in the tree so we can find you.' Before the sun went down the couple hears a voice quietly calling
'Oogh, Whu, where are you?'
It's Aahl bringing food.
'Up here Aahl, in the tree.''Wha said you can help us, is it true?''We're hungry Aahl, let us eat.''Here's all the food I could get, I took it from Ghal.''Thank you Aahl.''Is it true? We can't do another cold if it's not true. Is it true? You found a better canyon?''More food and water than you've ever seen, better than many mammoth traps Aahl.''And a cave?''It's big. We made a pond too.''How far? We have to get there before the cold.''It's Ok, cold is not too cold at the new canyon by massive pond.''Oogh, really? Plenty of food?''Massive pond brings us food every day.''Is massive pond like Ghal?''What do you mean?''Ghal is invisible.'
Laughing, Oogh and Whu tell Aahl 'You can see massive pond. Looking out of the canyon you can't see anything else.''How is that possible?''Massive pond is bigger than the entire world.'
Long pause as Aahl thinks about this claim.
Then he said 'Massive pond sounds like Ghal.'
Oogh tells Whu 'Horror stories Whu! We have to be careful what we say.'
Aahl is even more concerned hearing this, he claimed 'You're like Bha!''No Aahl, NO! Not like Bha! We need time to explain what's on the other side of big mountain.'
Whu swallows the last bite of food, to reassure Aahl she said 'We were kids together, you know you can trust us. We came all the way from big mountain to help you, to bring you to a better place. We want our tribe.'
Oogh tells him 'Listen to Wha, she knows we're here to help.''Whu, is this really true?''Yes Aahl, it's true. Don't tell anyone we're here. We need a few days to rest and eat, then we'll bring everyone who wants to go. Aahl, we'll all go to the other side of big mountain.'
Aahl tells the duo 'Not everyone. The new tribe is bad and some of our tribe are bad now too.''Aahl, Wha is in charge, she decides who to tell about us. Don't you tell anyone. OK?''Ok Whu, I won't tell anyone. Somebody will bring more food in the morning.''Please Aahl, don't tell anyone, when we leave nobody here can know where we went.' Wha and Ugh appeared below the tree in the morning.
'It's dangerous, Bha is looking for you. Ugh will guard the area a much as he can but you have to be quiet.'
Ugh tells them 'I'm going to dig roots all over the area so I can distract Bha if he comes here. If I find any roots I'll give them to you.''We need water Ugh.'
Wha said 'Bha has water bags. We're trying to steal one for you.''What's a water bag?''Bha's tribe brought them, it's like the mammoth trap, a discovery that let's you carry water anywhere you go.'
Oogh said to Whu 'Sounds like horror stories.'
Using all her tools, Whu tells Oogh 'They don't understand massive pond. Wait and see Oogh, maybe we don't comprehend water bags because it's wasn't explained well enough.'
Hours later a stranger approaches the tree, quietly calling out 'Oogh. Whu.'
The couple is fearful, they don't recognize him until the stranger said
'Oogh, Whu, it's me, I've grown but it's me, Gat.'
Oogh and Whu stare down through the branches, trying to decide if they should trust the stranger.
'Oogh, Whu, I brought the water bags and some roots from Ugh.''Up here Gat. Climb the tree.'
Gat climbs the tree and sits on a branch across from Oogh and Whu. He offers Whu a water bag, Whu resists.
'Oogh, it's a small white furry.''It's dead Whu.''Gat, there's no small white furies here? Where did you get it?''It's just the skin. Bha's tribe takes the skin off animals. They have uses for the skins. They make water bags. Take it, drink the water.'
Gat offers the second bag to Oogh. 'Drink the water, I have to return the bags as fast as I can.' Days pass while members of the old tribe take care of Oogh and Whu.
'Oogh, it's starting to make sense, I'm figuring out what's going on.''A new tribe found the canyon Whu.''No, more than that. I'm figuring out what's going on in their minds.''Who's minds?''Everybody's minds Oogh. The new tribe and our tribe. Our tribe didn't let Ugh take over. You discovered the mammoth trap. It put you in charge over Ugh. The whole tribe started using tools except Ugh, we all started comprehending. We all worked together and found more tools. Without the mammoth trap Ugh would still be in charge and most of the tribe would have starved. Ugh wasn't in charge because he was the best person to make decisions, he was in charge because everyone was afraid of him after he killed the tiger.''I see your point Whu, but why did Bha take over the new tribe?''Oogh, we need to pick more berries.''Maybe we need more information from our tribe.''I think Ghal is like the trees and the deep pond Oogh. I don't think Ghal is like us.''Of course Ghal is not like us, we're not invisible.''No Oogh, I think Ghal is like monsters in massive pond.''But Whu, there are no monsters in massive pond.''Exactly. There is another explanation for the claims about Ghal.'
Whu is remembering the beginning of their search for tools, she is using the tool that let's her put comprehension above knowledge and prevents her from inserting superstition into a logic equation. Wha visits the tree to make final plans for their escape.
'Wha, I still don't understand. There are too many people in the canyon. Why would Bha prevent anyone from leaving?''Ghal tells Bha everything. Bha doesn't make decisions.'
Oogh asks 'Wha, is Bha like Ugh?''Not anymore, Ugh is nice to everyone now. He learned from watching Bha'
Whu asks 'No, what Oogh meant was... remember the experiment on the prairie? Ugh came back with a story about the owl in a tree.''Oh, that's what you were asking. Bha is worse, much worse than Ugh. Bha would have come back with stories about flying tigers carrying away a herd of mammoth.''You don't believe Bha's stories?''Not most of them Whu. We all believed about Ghal until you two came back. You gave hope to some of the old tribe. Everyone who's going to big mountain understands that Ghal is not real. The moon and the stars can't tell anyone what to do.'
Oogh summarizes the plan 'Wha, early in the morning everyone who's going to big mountain will quietly go different directions, and meet on the prairie. Take as many water bags as you can but they have to be full. We meet on the prairie and leave before the sun comes out. Anyone who is late will have to find us or stay here. OK?'
Whu adds 'We can't leave anyone who knows. Eventually they will tell the others. The new tribe might come after us.'
'Good predicting Whu. We can't leave anyone who knows. Wha, make sure they all know, make sure they all make it to the prairie before the sun.' 6) Oogh & Whu - Students and Teachers
It's very small, but a new tribe is begun from the ruin of the old tribe.
'Learn as you go Whu!''That's why we're here Oogh!'
While in the trees at the base of big mountain near the deep spot in the narrow pond that moves, Oogh and Whu are still explaining their exploration to the new tribe.
'Listen, the water bags made the trip easier. Water bags are why we're all still alive. Oogh and I almost died the first time, without water.''When Whu and I got back to the old canyon we were almost dead.'
Aahl asked 'You said there's plenty of water ahead. Why do we have to fill the water bags now? Do you really know what's ahead?'
Gat wants to know 'Are you talking to Ghal?'
Oogh cautions Gat 'Remember, Ghal is invisible.''Ghal taught us a of lot things.'
Oogh asked 'How many were true?'
Whu asked Oogh to take a walk with her.
'Oogh, they're getting more scared every day.''But Whu, everything we told them so far has been proven true.''We need to climb big mountain as fast as we can, so they can see massive pond. They want to go back to Bha and Ghal.''Ok Whu, no waiting, no resting here this time.'
With a giant smile, Whu said 'Massive pond will be happy to see us.'
Oogh, laughing 'And small white furies too.''But not under each arm this time Oogh!''Don't let them see the water bags.' Passing over the top of big mountain,
Oogh said 'Wait Whu, they're not behind us.''Huh? Where are they?''Standing up there, on that rock.'
Laughing 'Oogh, we were smart enough to sit on the rock when we saw massive pond.''Whu, how long should we wait?''Until they're done staring, I guess.''We won't have any more questions about us talking to Ghal.''Let's get them some food.''Ok, I'm going up to get the water bags from Ugh. We'll bring food and water.'
As the moon and the stars cross the sky 'Stop staring Aahl, it's not going anywhere.''Here Wha, drink.'
Without looking away the new tribe eats and drinks, then sits until the sun comes back.
Whu tells them 'There's a small cave in the hills down there. We can spend a few days with plenty of food and water. When we're all rested our new canyon is a few weeks of easy walking on the sand.'
Whu is ignored by all but Oogh.
'Whu, they're not done staring yet. Maybe because they didn't have to figure it out along the way.''They weren't ready for this Oogh.''Neither were we Whu.'
The new tribe eventually starts climbing down the far side of big mountain. Oogh and Whu prod them to continue whenever they have a view of massive pond.
A few days later.
'Oogh, I like small cave in the hills.''That's emotion Whu. You like it because it was our first place, not because it's a good place.''I like it either way Oogh. I want to bring small white furies to the new canyon.''Can you see Gat?''No, I see everyone else down there. Wait. There he is.''Good, I get worried, they don't know what they're doing here.''Neither did we Oogh. If we tell them what we know it's just horror stories.''Back to the toolbox?''What tool Oogh?''Comprehension Whu. To comprehend, people have to figure things out on their own.''But we're pointing them in the right direction, right Oogh?''Hope so.'
They hear yelling at massive pond.
'Hey, Gat just got bit!''Look at em run Oogh!''Why are they running up here? We sat on the sand to think about it.''We didn't have us in the hills to run to.''Do you want some more fruit Whu?'
Laughing, Whu said 'I'm full, pass the water bag.' In darkness sitting on the beach
'Are we there yet?''Not yet Ugh, almost.''Tomorrow Ugh, we'll be at the new canyon tomorrow.'
Wha and Gat and Aahl start asking questions about the new canyon while Ugh listens quietly.
Whu said 'We told you... you have to see it for yourself. It's like massive pond, you claimed we were talking to Ghal until you saw it for yourself.'
Oogh added 'It's a canyon but it's not exactly like the old canyon. Only a few trees and it's open to massive pond on one end.'
Aahl asks 'How big is the prairie on top?''No prairie Aahl, it's mountain above. Just wait till tomorrow.'
Aahl asks another question 'Are there flat rocks for Gat to draw on?''What's he talking about Whu? Draw on?''I don't know Oogh. Aahl, what do you mean when you ask about flat rocks for Gat to draw on?''Gat is the artist. He makes mammoths on the rocks.'
Oogh asks 'Did Ghal tell you this?''No Oogh, the new tribe did things we never did and we did things they never did. Like the mammoth trap, Ghal made us stop everything we did that they didn't comprehend. We learned new tools from them, like water bags and art. Gat is the best.'
Oogh to Whu 'Horror stories?''Oogh, it's only horror stories until it's understood.''How can Gat make mammoths on flat rocks Whu?'
Hearing Oogh and Whu talking, Wha tries to explain 'Oogh, Whu, it's like age rocks. Marks on the rock for every cold period.''That's not a mammoth Wha.'
Whu, once again to Oogh with a suggestion on the subject 'It's horror stories Oogh. Horror stories are never what you think they are. We'll understand soon.''Goodnight Whu.''Goodnight Oogh. I smell new tools coming soon.' At last, a new life of leisure in a canyon with plenty of resources for the small tribe.
'It's incredible! No horror stories here Whu.''You're my sister, I don't know Ghal, I wouldn't tell you anything that's not true.'
Ugh points to the cave on the canyon wall and asks 'How do we get up there Oogh?''We made a trail, you can't see it from here but it's easy to get up there.''Dangerous animals can't get there Ugh, and no tigers here.'
Whu adds 'We made a pond too, and a trail to the pond from the cave.'
Aahl claims 'You can't make a pond.'
Oogh 'Yes we can, Ugh showed us how. What you can't make is a mammoth on a rock.'
Whu 'We want to make a trail to the top and over the mountain, there's roots and trees with food over there.''Nobody likes roots.''You'll like these roots Ugh. They're the same color as the fruit with water in it.'
Gat speaks 'If there's so much food from massive pond, why do we need roots?''Because they're good to eat. Gat, stop thinking about horror stories and start thinking for yourself. This is all true, no Ghal here.''Whu, Gat was too young when you left, he doesn't remember you very well. Give him time. We need to share tools. We both found new tools since you left the canyon and I want to share mine with my sister.' 7) The long past future of the tribe...
The new tribe had a good life. They developed modern intellect because of their new canyon and the leisure time they got from the canyon's resources. It took time but, even Ugh found a full toolbox when he was ready. With only six members the tribe was short lived. A few generations later the last survivor spent most of her life alone. Her name was Whoogh. She didn't know her great grandparents but, she knew everything about them as told to her by Gat, the tribe's elder. Based on Gat's stories, Whoogh's final years were spent exploring the coast by herself, never finding another human. She left her home when her husband died leaving her alone in the canyon. This tribe's accomplishments were lost when Whoogh died. Archeologists found the remnants of various tribes who used the cave for brief periods, over the next two hundred thousand years. Deep under the cave's debris they found six age rocks they didn't know how to interpret. They painstakingly documented these rocks by counting more than forty marks on each rock. If only they had known the rocks represented very long lives from a time very long ago. The cave was much larger because Oogh and Whu's tribe removed all the debris, leaving only bare rock walls for Gat to make mammoths. Mammoths made from plant pigments were long gone when more recent tribes used the cave, tens of thousands of years ago. Oogh and Whu's tribe dug the pond deeper and built terraces below to grow orange roots, watered by the pond's overflow. Whu's small white furies ate most of the crop and for a time they took over the canyon. They did what rabbits do and nobody objected, the tribe carried them under each arm the way people do today with dogs and cats, less often with small white furry rabbits. The new tribe answered far more than the size of the moon and the stars. They even discovered the earth is spherical, yes spherical, not round, they even failed to misunderstand that difference. It's easy to do with an open mind while sitting on the highest point of big mountain. From there you can see the curvature of the earth while staring across massive pond. Stare long enough with your mind open, use enough tools, watch the moon and the stars pass the horizon and anyone will understand, it's obvious. This wasn't the first time or the last time that open minded people were able to comprehend the universe. It's a wondrous place if your mind is not clouded by lies by fear and by superstition. The question is, why do so many still fail today? Entire tribes live in darkness without tools, listening only to Ghal, a weed by any other name. Listening to Ghal is a choice with no consequence until you allow the choice to blind your mind. Even today, our culture thinks of ancient people and believes most everything we find is somehow connected to superstition. Much likely is, not all. Most of what ancient people did has left no evidence to examine. The old canyon was ruled by violence, superstition and starvation under Bha. After one more cold period there were only a few remaining from the old tribe. Sick and weak, they died in the barren landscape while trying to follow Oogh and Whu. The survivors of Bha's tribe continued in the old canyon for a time. After most of them starved the tribe was small enough to survive on the sparse resources. All the tribe needed was a mammoth trap. Ghal never let them use it, they never had the leisure time to find tools. Ghal found a new supporter when Bha died. The first generation of Bha's tribe didn't learn about Oogh's trap, they starved also. They died in ignorance without time to find tools to solve their problems. Still today, most of the people who live are unable to learn from the past or from their own exploration. Ghal lives on. Even now Bha rules tribes in every culture. There are vast numbers of people who deny this story because Bha tells them that Ghal tells him, the world is less than ten thousand years old. Those people build faux museums depicting cave people living like the Flintstones. They teach children that people rode dinosaurs. Even now Bha rules tribes in every culture while Ghal rules minds everywhere. Some minds find tools and some tribes find the unity to keep Bha and Ghal in perspective, for a while. Human societies are always changing. The major accomplishments of one generation are not the challenge of the next... the next generation doesn't have the needed respect for the solution provided by their parents. Generations fail to benefit from the exploration of previous generations. Bha is always allowed to return with serious problems from the past, with the known solutions appearing as horror stories. Oogh and Whu didn't have the choice. They didn't have the benefit of written wisdom from the past. We have the choice. We should learn from the past. Humanity should be on a continually upward path.
Think about Oogh and Whu the next time you look at the moon and the stars, or massive pond. You were given a head start by our society so you should do far better than the new tribe. Always remember it's up to you, nobody can tell you the questions or the answers, it's all your choice. Knowledge happens automatically and continuously and you can't avoid it. Comprehension requires honesty and objective effort. Ignore materialism to expand your mind as long as you live. This is the meaning of life and it's all you get so stop wasting it. You're a tree if you do. Chapter 2 notes:
In high school I wrote a coming of age story with Oogh & Whu as the main characters. They had a very friendly friend named Wha. They've been involved in many stories since the mid 1970's with Ugh playing bit roles. Once they had a baby and named him Wee, they gave him a last name when it was pointed out the tribe already had a boy named Wee, their kid was known as Wee Wee. This story was written in August and September of 2017. I hope it makes an impression on someone. I hope it helps someone to ask the Mother Of All Questions and then find the answer. You're a tree if you don't. I used berry picking in this story as a treat to me. Berry picking is a notion defined in 1975, while picking berries in a field in Illinois with a girl not named Whu, but Tracy. She and I hardly new each other but had a revealing discussion while picking berries. We each learned something quite different yet very important to both of us. Sharing those thoughts with each other was almost as much a revelation as the concepts we came to understand. I'm certain it was more important to me than to her. We saw each other many times in the following years. Tracy never again showed an understanding of those concepts. I see Tracy in Whu. I'm betting Tracy filled her toolbox.
