Unprejudiced

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))

I look at her and say "I left my forest to become a traveling bard. I have been looking for musical and artistic inspiration to craft my next project. I personally build all my instruments with the woodworking and thread making skills of my settlement and am looking to improve my skills. My main goal in this life is to carry the stories of the past and create stories for the future to sing my magnum opus."

She looks at me curiously and asks "what made you want to pursue art? And why build your own instruments?"

I look towards the ceiling as if recalling a memory and say  "My father was a craftsman for the ornate bows we would sometimes peddle to merchants that would come by. I remember my father would build the most beautifully crafted bows. He always ridiculed violence and wanted peace, hence he made luxury bows meant for pedestals instead of the battlefield. That's where my idea of using the skills I learned from him to craft instruments came from. I used to spend hours with him every day watching and absorbing his skill, he would often give me a piece of wood to practice."

I shift in my cushion and after a few seconds I continue "My mother was a basic mage who would often sing and cast spells. Although she couldn't hold in combat, the minor illusions she would cast were extravagant. I always asked her growing up to teach me to sing, dance and sometimes magic. With my mother we would often commune with nature and become entranced by its beauty which she claimed was the source of magic. I found magic delightful and tried to incorporate it into my music, just as my mother had, but I'm still unskilled. I hope one day my words and art can reach the hearts of people."

The hag looks at me and says "I have seen many search power, money and influence, are you sure peace is the correct choice for the world. It surely is a lofty goal to try to create world peace. Are you willing to walk the path of thorns for something that may or may not help the world prosper?"

I sit back and think about the vexing question, somewhat dumbfounded by the thought. I left home to travel the world to build my talents and try to spread peace, but I have been taught to fend for myself if time comes, should I use these skills for something more violent or...

The hag cuts off my thought to say "I don't need an answer, but it is something everyone must think about. Being able to come to a conclusion to this question is pivotal for self growth and acquisition of your goal.  You must be able to put yourself into the perspective of others to be able to create art that will reach the hearts of others."