numbers

Tales From The Town #100: Infinity Explained (continuing)

“…Seven thousand six hundred and twenty three. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty four. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty five. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty six. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and twenty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty one. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty two. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty three. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty four. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty five. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty six. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and thirty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and forty. Seven thousand six hundred and forty one. Seven thousand six hundred and forty two. Seven thousand six hundred and forty three. Seven thousand six hundred and forty four. Seven thousand six hundred and forty five. Seven thousand six hundred and forty six. Seven thousand six hundred and forty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and forty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and forty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty one. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty two. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty three. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty four. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty five. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty six. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and fifty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty one. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty two. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty three. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty four. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty five. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty six. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy one. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy two. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy three. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy four. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy five. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy six. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy seven. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy eight. Seven thousand six hundred and seventy nine. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty one. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty two. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty three. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty four. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty five. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty six. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty seven. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty eight. Seven thousand six hundred and eighty nine. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety one. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety two. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety three. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety four. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety five. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety six. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety seven. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety eight. Seven thousand six hundred and ninety nine. Seven thousand seven hundred. Seven thousand seven hundred and one. Seven thousand seven hundred and two. Seven thousand seven hundred and three. Seven thousand seven hundred and four. Seven thousand seven hundred and five. Seven thousand seven hundred and six. Seven thousand seven hundred and seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and ten. Seven thousand seven hundred and eleven. Seven thousand seven hundred and twelve. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and fourteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventeen. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and nineteen. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and twenty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and thirty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and forty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and sixty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy one. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy two. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy three. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy four. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy five. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy six. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty one. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty two. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty three. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty four. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty five. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty six. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety one. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety two. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety three. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety four. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety five. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety six. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety eight. Seven thousand seven hundred and ninety nine. Seven thousand eight hundred. Seven thousand eight hundred and one. Seven thousand eight hundred and two. Seven thousand eight hundred and three. Seven thousand eight hundred and four. Seven thousand eight hundred and five. Seven thousand eight hundred and six. Seven thousand eight hundred and seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and ten. Seven thousand eight hundred and eleven. Seven thousand eight hundred and twelve. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and fourteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventeen. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and nineteen. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and forty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and fifty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and sixty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy one. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy two. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy three. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy four. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy five. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy six. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and seventy nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty one. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty two. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty three. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty four. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty five. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty six. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and eighty nine. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety one. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety two. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety three. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety four. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety five. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety six. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety seven. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety eight. Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety nine. Seven thousand nine hundred. Seven thousand nine hundred and one. Seven thousand nine hundred and two. Seven thousand nine hundred and three. Seven thousand nine hundred and four. Seven thousand nine hundred and five. Seven thousand nine hundred and six. Seven thousand nine hundred and seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and ten. Seven thousand nine hundred and eleven. Seven thousand nine hundred and twelve. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and fourteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventeen. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and nineteen. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and twenty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and thirty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and forty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and sixty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy one. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy two. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy three. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy four. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy five. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy six. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and seventy nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty one. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty two. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty three. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty four. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty five. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty six. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and eighty nine. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety one. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety two. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety three. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety four. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety five. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety six. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety seven. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety eight. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety nine. Eight thousand. Eight thousand and one. Eight thousand and two. Eight thousand and three. Eight thousand and four. Eight thousand and five. Eight thousand and six. Eight thousand and seven. Eight thousand and eight. Eight thousand and nine. Eight thousand and ten. Eight thousand and eleven. Eight thousand and twelve. Eight thousand and thirteen. Eight thousand and fourteen. Eight thousand and fifteen. Eight thousand and sixteen. Eight thousand and seventeen. Eight thousand and eighteen. Eight thousand and nineteen. Eight thousand and twenty. Eight thousand and twenty one. Eight thousand and twenty two. Eight thousand and twenty three. Eight thousand and twenty four. Eight thousand and twenty five. Eight thousand and twenty six. Eight thousand and twenty seven. Eight thousand and twenty eight. Eight thousand and twenty nine. Eight thousand and thirty. Eight thousand and thirty one. Eight thousand and thirty two. Eight thousand and thirty three. Eight thousand and thirty four. Eight thousand and thirty five. Eight thousand and thirty six. Eight thousand and thirty seven. Eight thousand and thirty eight. Eight thousand and thirty nine. Eight thousand and forty. Eight thousand and forty one. Eight thousand and forty two. Eight thousand and forty three. Eight thousand and forty four. Eight thousand and forty five. Eight thousand and forty six. Eight thousand and forty seven. Eight thousand and forty eight. Eight thousand and forty nine. Eight thousand and fifty. Eight thousand and fifty one. Eight thousand and fifty two. Eight thousand and fifty three. Eight thousand and fifty four. Eight thousand and fifty five. Eight thousand and fifty six. Eight thousand and fifty seven. Eight thousand and fifty eight. Eight thousand and fifty nine. Eight thousand and sixty. Eight thousand and sixty one. Eight thousand and sixty two. Eight thousand and sixty three. Eight thousand and sixty four. Eight thousand and sixty five. Eight thousand and sixty six. Eight thousand and sixty seven. Eight thousand and sixty eight. Eight thousand and sixty nine. Eight thousand and seventy. Eight thousand and seventy one. Eight thousand and seventy two. Eight thousand and seventy three. Eight thousand and seventy four. Eight thousand and seventy five. Eight thousand and seventy six. Eight thousand and seventy seven. Eight thousand and seventy eight. Eight thousand and seventy nine. Eight thousand and eighty. Eight thousand and eighty one. Eight thousand and eighty two. Eight thousand and eighty three. Eight thousand and eighty four. Eight thousand and eighty five. Eight thousand and eighty six. Eight thousand and eighty seven. Eight thousand and eighty eight. Eight thousand and eighty nine. Eight thousand and ninety. Eight thousand and ninety one. Eight thousand and ninety two. Eight thousand and ninety three. Eight thousand and ninety four. Eight thousand and ninety five. Eight thousand and ninety six. Eight thousand and ninety seven. Eight thousand and ninety eight. Eight thousand and ninety nine. Eight thousand one hundred. Eight thousand one hundred and one. Eight thousand one hundred and two. Eight thousand one hundred and three. Eight thousand one hundred and four. Eight thousand one hundred and five. Eight thousand one hundred and six. Eight thousand one hundred and seven. Eight thousand one hundred and eight. Eight thousand one hundred and nine. Eight thousand one hundred and ten. Eight thousand one hundred and eleven. Eight thousand one hundred and twelve. Eight thousand one hundred and thirteen. Eight thousand one hundred and fourteen. Eight thousand one hundred and fifteen. Eight thousand one hundred and sixteen. Eight thousand one hundred and seventeen. Eight thousand one hundred and eighteen. Eight thousand one hundred and nineteen. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty one. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty two. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty three. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty four. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty five. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty six. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and twenty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty one. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty two. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty three. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty four. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty five. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty six. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and thirty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and forty. Eight thousand one hundred and forty one. Eight thousand one hundred and forty two. Eight thousand one hundred and forty three. Eight thousand one hundred and forty four. Eight thousand one hundred and forty five. Eight thousand one hundred and forty six. Eight thousand one hundred and forty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and forty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and forty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty one. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty two. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty three. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty four. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty five. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty six. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and fifty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty one. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty two. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty three. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty four. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty five. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty six. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and sixty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy one. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy two. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy three. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy four. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy five. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy six. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy seven. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy eight. Eight thousand one hundred and seventy nine. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty one. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty two. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty three. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty four. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty five. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty six. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty seven. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty eight. Eight thousand one hundred and eighty nine. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety one. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety two. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety three. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety four. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety five. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety six. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety seven. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety eight. Eight thousand one hundred and ninety nine. Eight thousand two hundred. Eight thousand two hundred and one. Eight thousand two hundred and two. Eight thousand two hundred and three. Eight thousand two hundred and four. Eight thousand two hundred and five. Eight thousand two hundred and six. Eight thousand two hundred and seven. Eight thousand two hundred and eight. Eight thousand two hundred and nine. Eight thousand two hundred and ten. Eight thousand two hundred and eleven. Eight thousand two hundred and twelve. Eight thousand two hundred and thirteen. Eight thousand two hundred and fourteen. Eight thousand two hundred and fifteen. Eight thousand two hundred and sixteen. Eight thousand two hundred and… ”

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Notes:

1. Written on December 31st, 2022

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Patreon subscribers get not just early access to content and also the occasional gift, but also my eternal gratitude. Which I'm not sure is very useful, but is certainly very real.

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Thank you!

Tales From The Town #96: Infinity Explained (part 2)

“If infinity is a number, Claire, why don’t you try counting to it?”

“Why don’t YOU try counting to it?

“Because I can’t.”

“No one can.”

“Well I can!”

“Go on then!”

“I will!”

“She won’t!”

“I will!”

“Well what are you waiting for, then?”

“I’m getting ready.”

“You’re so annoying Claire!”

“Not as annoying as you!”

“Yes you are, you’re the most annoying person in the whole galaxy.”

“Yeah, you’re the most annoying person in the entire universe, Claire!”

“Well you’re the most annoying person in infinity! Both of you are!”

“What about me?”

“You’re even more annoying than that, Daniel! You’re even more annoying than EVERYTHING!”

__________

Notes:

1. Written on December 31st, 2022

__________

Support An Accumulation Of Things

If you like the things you've read here please consider subscribing to my patreon or my ko-fi.

Patreon subscribers get not just early access to content and also the occasional gift, but also my eternal gratitude. Which I'm not sure is very useful, but is certainly very real.

(Ko-fi contributors probably only get the gratitude I'm afraid, but please get in touch if you want more).

Thank you!

Tales From The Town #94: Infinity Explained (part 1)

“It is not a number, Claire!”

“Of course it’s a number. It’s the biggest number! Like a really big 8!”

“It’s a concept, Claire!”

“You’re a concept!”

“Claire doesn’t know what a concept is, Tina.”

“I do. And you’re both concepts!”

“What about me?”

“You’re worse than a concept, Daniel! You’re a notion!”

_________

Notes:

1. Written on December 31st, 2022

__________

Support An Accumulation Of Things

If you like the things you've read here please consider subscribing to my patreon or my ko-fi.

Patreon subscribers get not just early access to content and also the occasional gift, but also my eternal gratitude. Which I'm not sure is very useful, but is certainly very real.

(Ko-fi contributors probably only get the gratitude I'm afraid, but please get in touch if you want more).

Thank you!

Tale #89: The Poor Woman

There was a woman who lived in the woods. She had no money, and could find little work, and those that paid her paid her very little.

One day an old lady knocked at her door and begged for some food to help her through the cold winter’s night, for she was far from home and farther still from reaching her way. The woman who lived in the woods said, “Alas, I haven’t enough even for one, let alone two, but you may have what little there is, although whether it will do you any good or not I cannot say. And you may sit by my fire and warm your bones, although the wood is already burning low, and the night has barely yet begun.”

The old lady came in and together they sat by the fire, which seemed to burn brighter than ever, and ate the last of the bread, which seemed to fill the bellies of them both. After an hour the old lady got up and said that she must again be on her way. “In repayment for your kindness I will leave you a gift,” the old lady said. “So you may earn that which your kind spirit deserves, each time you receive payment for your work you shall become twice as beautiful as before, and subsequently earn twice as much, the next time circumstances allow.”

With that the old lady made her way to the heart of the woods, where she disappeared from this world and went on her way to the next.

At first the woman noticed very little change. She still struggled to find work, and for many weeks she starved away, surviving on scraps scavenged from the forest, and if anything when she looked at herself in the waters of the brook she thought that rather than becoming any fairer her famishment had made her ever fouler.

In the early days of spring, however, after the snows had melted and the flowers of the forest had begun again to bloom, a woodsman from the nearest town knocked at the door of her house and she invited him in and provided him with what he desired. As he left she asked him for a shilling, but he looked her up and down sadly and paid only a penny.

She wept that night, but the next day, when she caught sight of her reflection she was surprised by the vitality of her appearance. When the woodsman knocked again, he gladly paid the price she asked, and the day after he gave her double. “A tip,” he said, “for one so pretty.” And he even asked her to walk back with him to town, for rather than being ashamed by his patronage he now was overcome with pride.

After she saw him to his house she tarried awhile in town, and by the end of her stay her beauty was greater than any the town had ever known, and her purse fuller than she had ever dared dream.

Soon only the local Lord could afford to pay her. He took her into his house, and by the end of the week the house was hers and the Lord a beggar, much to the satisfaction of his staff, and the spiteful delight of his wife. The woman, who no longer lived in the woods, was generous with her money, and kind to all in her care, for she knew the horrors of poverty, and the humiliations of servitude.

Eventually the King came calling, for by now stories of her otherworldly glamour had spread far and wide. As his treasuries emptied over the subsequent weeks, and her beauty multiplied, the King began to despair, for soon he would no longer be able to afford her services, and he could not bear to return to the drabness of his court. “How could I live, knowing this beauty was out there, beyond my reach?” he sighed.

He ordered his treasurer to mint him a million pound coin, and then two more. By now the currency of the land and the entire economy of the country was on the verge of collapse. No matter how much of the money lavished on her by the King she spent trying to alleviate the suffering she saw around her, the country continued to collapse into despair and horror. And all the while the King tried ever more desperately to finance the further satiation of his lust.

For him the end came quickly. The people rose up and threw him into the sea without ceremony or regret.

In the ensuing days, they crowned the woman their Queen. She used her money and her wisdom to rebuild the country into something far greater than it had ever been before, and she ruled divinely for the rest of her days, delighting in way her country now prospered. She spent the rest of her life enjoying the many friendships she formed with the subjects of her land, and occasionally bankrupting other countries when politics and desire demanded.

____________

Notes:

1. Written on February 9th, 2015

__________

Support An Accumulation Of Things

If you like the things you've read here please consider subscribing to my patreon or my ko-fi.

Patreon subscribers get not just early access to content and also the occasional gift, but also my eternal gratitude. Which I'm not sure is very useful, but is certainly very real.

(Ko-fi contributors probably only get the gratitude I'm afraid, but please get in touch if you want more).

Thank you!