Lykos and the Lie

By Johnathan Kirsch

Lykos and the Lie is an allegory with sheep, shepherds, wolves, and mysterious weather. It's an allegory that explores hope, trust, life, death, evil, hate, and the life beyond. It's an allegory that is strangely interesting, oftentimes engrossing, and always beautiful.

But what is an allegory?

An allegory is basically a big, long metaphor. And a metaphor is a magical connection between two completely different things. Metaphors show you something you couldn't see before or make something normal look entirely new.

It's just a big "thought experiment."

What if sheep had complex human-like relationships? What if wolves were the bodily forms of evil? What if the clouds were the reflection of someone's emotions?

What if sheep could teach you how to live?

Can sheep teach? It seems impossible, but that is what allegories do. Allegories are impossible. Allegories are implausible—but at the same time, many people feel like they're real. We talk about elves like they're our friends; we discuss fantasy worlds like they were a stop on our last vacation. What's going on?

Revelation.

The best fiction makes the world seem more real. It reveals things that were right in front of readers' faces.

So what's it really all about?

The shepherd.

The shepherd is faithful unto the end. And the shepherd protects the sheep he loves. And the shepherd deals rightly with those who attempt to destroy all that is good.

That's what it's about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Johnathan Kirsch
• Release date: Jul 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215598153

Book preview

Lykos

and the

Lie

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either really have existed and really happened, or the details have been fantasticizied somewhat. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely uncoincidental and actually quite purposeful because this story incorporates universal truths found across humanity which should match up with other people you may have known or still know; you may even recognize yourself.

Copyright © 2023 by Johnathan Kirsch

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner under heaven without written permission of the copyright owner (that’s me) except for the use of quotations in a book review (and those very sparingly).

First eBook edition January 2023

Book design by Johnathan Kirsch

[e-mail]

This book is dedicated to everyone who has taught me over the years in any way, shape, or form. Without you, this story would and could not exist, and nothing much in my life would be happening.

Never here, forever there,

Where all parting, pain, and care,

And death, and time shall disappear,—

Forever there, but never here!

The horologe of Eternity

Sayeth this incessantly,—

"Forever—never!

Never—forever"

—Longfellow, The Old Clock on the Stairs—

1

Stranded

Despondency reigned in the hearts of the sheep as they shuffled their cloven toes beneath the rocky crags of the forbidding desert. Shepherd Kalos¹ had mysteriously disappeared—or so it appeared—and the flock of sheep was left in despair, aimless without any direction. Some sheep had suggested instituting their own leadership. Others had proposed looking for another shepherd. But because sheep are feeble-minded, no one came to a consensus on anything.

They were stranded.

The wind whipped sharply across the nearby stones that lay in the colorless, sandy dirt. They were all alone, cold and hungry—claws gnawing, as it seemed, upon their very souls.

Two of the sheep, Provaton² and Lykos³, were talking amongst themselves away from the rest of the group.

My concern is that with no direction, the sheep will scatter and our whole herd will die in this ugly desert, muttered Lykos, scanning the barren vista that met his eyes. Boring chunks of stone, drained and packed dirt, and some slumping dunes in the distance gave him a sad view of the crags—the eastern cliffs which were covered in hundreds of boulders on a slope that led up to a head of rock.

Do you remember Shepherd Kalos’ words? Provaton returned. He said that he would never abandon us in the wilderness. It is only a matter of time before he arrives and leads us back to the lush forests and meadows of the valley.

Lykos considered what Provaton had said and then answered him, saying, "There is a proverb that says, ‘The words of the wise will be found wanting when their presence is withdrawn.’ Our shepherd has said he would return eventually, but he has not said when he would return. For all we know, it could be months before he comes back. Months too long when mouths must be fed."

Hmmm, was all Provaton could say for a few moments, which is more of a meh type of baa in sheep language. If what you say is true, I think… Why would Shepherd Kalos leave us here to die when he said he would return? What would there be to return to?

Now, Lykos responded with an air of significance, this is where we get into speculation and theorization. What are we sure of? Firstly, our shepherd is gone. Secondly, our shepherd said he would return. Thirdly, we are already beginning to disperse into the wilderness. So, without much thought to it, you can conclude that in the time it takes for the shepherd to get back, he will not have a flock to come back to. Our very lives are at stake here, Provaton! We must make a change now or the delicate lives in all of our sheep folk could be lost.

I see, Lykos. Provaton was now convinced. "This is a very distressing trouble. We must go before the rest of the sheep and demand that they make a plan for their survival."

They entered the center of the shuddering group of sheep and went before the Elder Sheep, who was the ram that did most of the decision-making for the flock. As Lykos prepared to speak, the wind grew even sharper, boring through the sheep’s fluffy wool. Night began to fall upon them while the cold air from throughout the desert rushed downwards, meeting the dirty water of the dismal sea at the distant coast.

Oh, beloved flock, Lykos began, as we well know, the life of every sheep here is in imminent danger. A plan must be made so that we may all be saved from the terrible plight of death in this dark desert.

What type of plan is suggested, Lykos? asked the Elder Sheep.

We need food and water, so I request that our whole flock go down to the good valley over those hills near the cliffs.

Another sheep, hearing this, voiced a concern: But what if we get lost, he baaed loudly. More mehs and baas and grunts and groans could be heard throughout the flock.

Yes, affirmed Provaton, if we get lost in the wilderness, then Shepherd Kalos will have no chance of ever finding us.

No, fellow sheep, Lykos proclaimed after everyone had quieted down. (Baaing, however, is ceaseless in a frightened flock of sheep.) Getting lost in the vast expanses surrounding us should be the most insignificant of our fears. The flock listened anxiously while Lykos began speaking again, The real fear should be that our shepherd may never return. A snort-like gasp of steamy breath went through the flock.

Could it possibly be true? the Elder Sheep cried. We’ve always trusted Shepherd Kalos to never leave us in the wilderness, yet now he has?

While it pains my heart to even speak of such a tragedy, continued Lykos, it seems as if this may be the case. Think of the comfort you’ve experienced over your life. Is it anything like the pain we are experiencing now? Do you not agree that the intensity of hunger and complete lack of shelter we now feel is greater than it has ever been?

The flock