Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The introduction of a compelling invention

The Atlas of Curiosities: Part 32

In the remote step of Kyrgyzstan, we came upon a yurt that was made in the style of the nomads of this area.  It was built of a wooden frame and covered in skins and tarps and was designed to be easily dissembled and moved.  Outside, a herd of goats congregated, bowing their heads against a strong wind that whipped up dust and sand.

We pushed aside the flap that covered the primary entrance to the dwelling, and it fluttered noisy in the gale.  Once inside, however, things were still, and the yurts own greeted us with a warm cup of tea.

Through our host, he told us something incredible.

“I am glad you came,” he said.  “I have been working some time on this.  It has taken me a very long time to gather all of the parts that I need.  I had to travel many days to get some of the necessary pieces.  When I show it to you, you must be very courageous, because it can be difficult to witness what you are about to see.”

He went to the far side of the tent and moved a tarp to reveal a wooden box with two holes cut out.  From the interior, a glow emerged, clearly bright, but small, as if from a point source.

“What is it?” we asked.

“It is a box,” he said.  We laughed.  He did not.

“What does it do?” we asked.

“It allows you to see yourself as if you were someone else,” he said solemnly, and he blew into one of the holes.  A puff of dust came out the other.  He sat back, looked at us, and raised his eyebrows.

“Do you want to try it?” he asked.

There was a long silence.

“I will warn you” he said.  “It will reveal things that are not expected.”

“Like what?” we asked.

“Well,” he said.  He sipped his tea.

“Well,” he said again.  “For one thing, it will show you how strange you look and sound.”

We laughed.  He did not.