The Box

I didn't understand at first, but it soon became clear what needs to be done.

The box needs to be destroyed.

It didn't matter what it contained---indeed, I didn't know what was it that was contained within the six walls of the box---but it was clear what must be done.

The astute reader will be sure to question my decision on the matter. Why would I decide to destroy a box having not known what it contained?

To understand this rather obvious conclusion that I have drawn, one must first look back to the provenance of the box. It came into my possession from a shady but known character.

Let's just call him Bob. Any name would do, really, it didn't matter. It could've been a Joe or a Steve or even something as exotic as Obama. But for our purposes, he is Bob.

Bob passed me the box, his face a classic example of fear. I asked him ``Dude Bob, why are you giving me this face?'' and he had replied, unconvincingly I might add ``No worries! Don't worry! There's nothing to worry about! Just take the box.''

Of course I asked him what the hell was wrong with him, but he didn't answer directly. That was unusual because Bob was not known to answer in another way other than being direct.

When Bob passed me the box, he was looking about furtively, as though he were expecting someone or something to pounce on him from the shadows with short notice. I glared at him, almost daring him to take the box back.

``It's safe, don't worry,'' he said, trying to reassure me.

``Then why the hell you are acting like this?''

``Because it is not safe... with me.''

``Dafuq?'' I was incredulous, but Bob was a good friend. He was someone I would trust my life with. If he said it was safe for me to hold the box for him, I took his word for it.

I snatched the box from him. He seemed glad about it. And before he left, he told me the famous words.

``Whatever you do, don't look in the box. I don't know what the hell it contains, but it has caused me some rather unfortunate circumstances. And it's only because I was a participant in its inception.''

``Wait... hold on. Then how is it safe with me?''

``You are safe because of your ignorance. Just keep your ignorance on and you'll do fine.'' And with that, Bob gave me a quick salute and scampered off.

I didn't understand at first, but it soon became clear what needs to be done.

The box needs to be destroyed.

(Based on an exercise generated by WriteThis - 03-Feb-2014 21:16:25)