the tale of how and why
This tale tells of the old "how" and the younger "why" as they go through life side by side, arguing about the right way of doing things. It is less a tale than it is a concept of tale, adaptable to all parts of life.
In each telling, "how" and "why" are characterized by two different persons whose names are usually quite similar. Some of the tellings of these tales are called "Maller and Monser", "Twin and Twain", "Honner and Hogiv". On some occasions the names of one or both characters has something to do with the subject of the story or show their opposites - like "Twin and Twain". It is therefore to be expected to hear such a tale if it has a title like that.
At the core of each telling is the difference of two generations and a single question: "Why do we do it this way?"
This question, often asked by children or young adults while finding their place in the world has ever been aswered by the elder generation by the words: "Because we have always done it this way." Most probably everybody has at least half a doven times been on one of the two sides. If this game of question and answer gets repeated too often, it commonly reduces to :"Why?" and "Because!"
Over time the tale of how and why developed. It is an attempt of expressing something we feel deep inside. Both sides use it and therefore its ending varies with the narrater.
Where the "how" is stronger, the "why" is depicted as respectless and fails trying to achieve something either impossible or moraly wrong.
Where the "why" is stronger, the "how" is seen as outdated, ignorant and falling behind. The new achievments give the "why" a supremacy and he wins wealth and glory.
In each telling, "how" and "why" are characterized by two different persons whose names are usually quite similar. Some of the tellings of these tales are called "Maller and Monser", "Twin and Twain", "Honner and Hogiv". On some occasions the names of one or both characters has something to do with the subject of the story or show their opposites - like "Twin and Twain". It is therefore to be expected to hear such a tale if it has a title like that.
At the core of each telling is the difference of two generations and a single question: "Why do we do it this way?"
This question, often asked by children or young adults while finding their place in the world has ever been aswered by the elder generation by the words: "Because we have always done it this way." Most probably everybody has at least half a doven times been on one of the two sides. If this game of question and answer gets repeated too often, it commonly reduces to :"Why?" and "Because!"
Over time the tale of how and why developed. It is an attempt of expressing something we feel deep inside. Both sides use it and therefore its ending varies with the narrater.
Where the "how" is stronger, the "why" is depicted as respectless and fails trying to achieve something either impossible or moraly wrong.
Where the "why" is stronger, the "how" is seen as outdated, ignorant and falling behind. The new achievments give the "why" a supremacy and he wins wealth and glory.
Historical Basis
This Tale is based on everyday life. Altoug the winner sometimes gains a mythical prize or the winner is slayn by monsters or other mythical creatures, the main storyline talks about normal lives. This may vary from person to person for this tale is quite common in every class of population.
A unwise acting prince may loose his kingdom, while a farm boy may loose a years grain harvest. But in any case the gain or loss fit the concerned parties and content of the particualr telling.
The stories grew out of the natural abyss between generations. The elders stubbornly going on as they have always been cause they are too tired to try something new. And the youger generation on the other side, still unexperienced and full of energie, confident only in their own thoughts and believes.
A unwise acting prince may loose his kingdom, while a farm boy may loose a years grain harvest. But in any case the gain or loss fit the concerned parties and content of the particualr telling.
The stories grew out of the natural abyss between generations. The elders stubbornly going on as they have always been cause they are too tired to try something new. And the youger generation on the other side, still unexperienced and full of energie, confident only in their own thoughts and believes.
Date of First Recording
Sometime during the years of the Long Peace
Comments