Why The Gods Do Not Speak   Once there was a god who sat on a rock in the middle of a lake watching her reflection in the water. She moved his head from side to side. She raised his arms. She lowered them. One day a bird sat next to her. When the god moved, so did the bird.   Why do you do as I do? asked the god.   I am doing as the god in the water does, said the bird.   But why? asked the god.   I will answer when the god in the water asks? said the bird, flapping his wings just as the god was waving her arms.   There is no god in the water, said the god. That is my reflection.   Don't be silly, said the bird, There she is looking straight at that bird sitting next to her.   Promise me, said the god, you will do as others do until the god in the water talks to you.   I will promise, said the bird, If you will promise not to speak until the water god does.   And that is how the mockingbird came to be, and why the gods are silent.      

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