December 10, 1998
Og the Caveman
Og the caveman was not like his other cavemen brothers. Besides the fact that his name was not some multiple repetition of Ug, his approach to life was different. He was there when fire was invented, and despite knowing that the magically dancing orange could hurt him, he reached out to feel exactly how arm the flame was. He would often embrace what was an obvious danger and would feel the great pain.
Yet, when the mysterious offered a chance for greatness, he hesitated. One day, a big black monolith came down, and Ug Ug Ug touched it. He later became a great mathematician (the first actually). All other cavemen who touched gained great wisdom, yet Og did not touch it that day. He stared at the monolith for several days, peering over all its various edges. Finally and fearfully, and with the help of a rabid porcupine, he touched the monolith and gained wisdom, the last of his race to do so.
Og's cautiousness never changed. He had many descendants who followed his curious approach to life. There are people out there who do not fret at danger, yet cower in the light of possible happiness. Blame it on Og. I do.