chapter c: shrouded in the myths of time
 
myeck's immigrant mother often used religious imagery in instructing and guiding her children. Unfortunately, her religion was from the old country and was completely unknown in America and to her children, so her references simply left them confused and afraid. So, as a public service, we will present a few brief excerpts from their mythology:
part i: out of the ovoid
 
In the beginning, there was no earth, no sky, no sun, moon or stars. There was only the Estate, where Old Lady lived alone with her staff, and no one to keep her company. She was very sad. 

One day Bird flew into the back yard. Old Lady was so lonely that she tried to catch Bird, or rather, had Servant Girl try, as she was having one of her migraines. When Servant Girl opened her hands, Bird flew right up and perched in them. Old Lady had Servant Girl bring Bird inside and put it in the Basket.
In the Basket, Bird began to make the Nest. After three days, Bird stopped working and sat down in the Nest. Every morning, Old Lady would bring the basket out into the back yard, and Bird would lay an egg for her.
On the first day, Bird laid an egg that was hot and bright. It was the Sun. 

On the second day, Bird laid an egg that was cool and gray. It was the Moon. Old Lady gave it to Cook. 

On the third day, Bird laid an egg that was warm and two-thirds covered with water. It was the World. Old Lady gave it to Servant Girl.  

Bird continued to lay other eggs, but they were nasty things and she gave them to field workers.

Servant Girl treasures her egg and keeps it safe, and she is the mother of all of the plants, and all of the animals, and all of the people in the World, except for those horrid people over the mountains, who were brought over to conquer earth from Mars by Orchard Man when he was mad at Servant Girl because she wouldn't marry him. That's why it's OK to kill those people.