Efficacious Amputation

(5)

The Great Mystic then said to the man whose nose he had just cut off: 'Now open your eyes and see the glorious revelations all around you!'

The amputee opened his eyes and looked around. Then he said to the Great Mystic, 'Nothing has changed. Everything seems to be the same except that my face hurts.'

The Great Mystic then said to the man, 'Now you know The Truth. Nobody else knows The Truth except me, and now you. Now you will be rewarded for this esoteric knowlege - or - you will be cursed and despised. Now you must make the decision. Will you tell the masses that you were a dupe? A fool? An idiot? Or will you tell the masses that, 'Yes! This is the True Religion!' 'This is the new true religion!'

The new disciple saw immediately where his future good resided. He went out into the streets and proclaimed the glorious efficacy of nasal amputation.