Characters: Kelsey, Plato P: Dear me! Watch your step, boy!
K: Oops! I'm very sorry. P: Don't trouble yourself over it unless you find it to the benefit of your soul. K: Um...alright. Do you mind if I ask you something? I'm currently in search for my cat, and I'm wondering if you happened to see one come this way. For whatever reason, I get the sense that she's somewhere in close range here... P: A cat? K: Yes, that's right, a cat. My cat. A milky white cat with orange stripes, to be precise. Her name's "Tiger". I suspect she ran away from home only yesterday, so I've been on her trail since then. P: This difficulty you mention is indeed great, but I conceive of another matter you would do best to concern yourself with, one that carries with it a most unfortunate fate if ignored.
K: Really? Geez, that sounds pretty bad. May I ask what you mean by that?
P: Yes, of course. But we must first look at this matter carefully and reason it out thoroughly. For if we are to understand what ails you properly, we must give it all of our mind to remedy.
K: Uh huh... You're sounding a lot like someone I just met about an hour ago... P: Let us not delay. Allow me to ask you questions in the manner I do, so as to use all our reason to solve this probem. My boy, first do tell me, why are you in such adamant search for this cat of yours?
K: Why?...Well, that's easy: she is my cat, after all, isn't she? As her owner, it's my responsiblity to look after her and keep her from wandering off. Although I've obviously done a really poor job of that this time. P: Indeed, you concern yourself with your possession of the cat. But please address the deeper matters implicit in what I say.
K: Huh?
P: Tell me, do you find your cat a perfect cat, one that perfectly exemplifies all of the best qualities in form and function that we would expect of all cats were they not what they actually are? Is your cat not like all the others that roam the face of the earth, riddled in flaws and failures in behaviour and manner?
K: Um... Perfect? Well, it'd be a joke for me to say 'yes'. What on earth is perfect, let alone cats? I can't even fathom the idea of a perfect cat. Mine for one is a biter, and a regular trouble-maker at that. Although I think this may be the worst episode she's ever gotten herself into. P: You are right to say no cat is perfect. To admit that is the first step to overcoming what ails you. But let us think further of what you say about the idea of a perfect cat. For indeed, there may be no man or woman able to so clearly in their mind behold the whole assemblage of attributes necessary to comprise a cat that we can without reserve call perfect. And yet, I tell you, it is by the existence of such a perfect cat that any cat at all can be found to take form here in our world.
K: Really? Where does it live? Las Vegas?
P: At this moment, you are unfortunately blind to the conditions of what binds your mind to the regular things of this world. You must see the prison in which you dwell and recognize the light behind the shadows cast upon your senses that you are in error to call reality. For as you and I have both said, nothing to be found upon this earth exists in perfection but holds in itself some of a distribution of the many qualities that the Idea of it possesses.
K: So, even though there's no such thing as a perfect cat in this world, I can at least have a perfect idea of one? P: Unfortunately, it is beyond us, who be also earthly creatures, to contain in mind the true Idea of any thing in its original form. We may have once, but as we become earthly, we surrender ourselves to forgetting all that was once before perfect.
K: I'm pretty confused now. I sure wish people around here would talk a bit more clearly.
P: Let us attempt to analogize what we have considered until now. Look at your shadow upon the ground, my boy. Now would you say that it perfectly resembles the form of the object that is its cause, namely yourself?
K: Does my shadow look like me? ...Well, no, I guess it doesn't really. It's a bit tall and bent out of shape. P: And yet is it yourself or your shadow that you can see more easily?
K: Ah. Well, without a mirror, I have to agree that it's easier to see my shadow. P: Now imagine a world of shadows, all of which have a source that is more difficult to see or grasp than that world itself. And what if you and others have known nothing but that world? Would you not assume that what you see and grasp as easily as you can is in fact the truth and reality of things? Would you be inclined to believe that another world of things which are not within your power or ability to hold in mind in its entirety also existed and furthermore served as the source and true form to the things that surround you? Tell me, boy, what would you be most likely to believe?
K: Well, no, I guess I wouldn't so readily be able to believe in such another place. I mean, I live my life as I do coming into contact with all that's around me everyday... I guess it's just easier to understand the first world you mentioned, the "shadow world", or whatever. P: You see now, this is where the true problem behind your search lies. For if by a world of shadows we are to mean this world, and by a world of true forms we are to mean one that is beyond this world that we know, then you must admit that the cat you are searching for is but one of the flickering shadows dancing upon your senses and in your memories. Furthermore, as it is only a thing of shadow and not of true form or substance, you must be made aware that it can never bring you any happiness you may seek or be in want of. That sort of happiness can only be found in those things that have true form and being.
K: Hmm... I think I see what you mean up to the true form and happiness bit. But to be honest, I can't stop worrying about Tiger right now, and I really think I should continue looking for her. P: Of course, my boy. But do keep in mind what words have passed between us here. For sometimes the end of our search does not come with what it is we are looking for.
K: Ah. Yes, yes, sir.
P: As for your cat, I'm under the impression that she came by this way earlier today while I was on my walk. As she appeared to be heading in this direction, I suggest you follow this path.
K: Oh, thank you! If nothing else the timing was perfect. My thanks, sir!
Now listen to the questions. If you don't understand something, ask either Kelsey or your tutor for help. Send your answers to Kelsey in the Writing Section at LingQ or tell Kelsey your answers in a conversation with him in the Speaking Section. You don't have to answer all the questions. Good luck!
