#38 The Garden Metaphor
November 10, 2010From the Star Wars Universe, I have decided to post an interesting conversation between the wise Jedi Master, Yoda and the ill-fated king of the Sephi, Alaric... This dialogue is taken from a story entitled "The Best Blades" by Jeremy Barlow back in 2004, in which king Alaric uses a garden metaphor to illustrate the vigilance & dexterity necessary to maintain the delicate balance among divergent forces in the ecology of diverse planetary systems.
(This is an abbreviated version):
Alaric: Thank you for meeting me, Yoda, away from the eyes and ears of my court. I have enemies within these walls. My nephew has been on Coruscant (The Universal Capital of the Galaxy ) too long. He has lost touch with his roots here on Thustra. ...I wish our reunion could have been under different circumstances. Yet if not for current events, who knows how much more time might have gone by before we saw one another again? It's a small thing, but at least there is that positive side to all of this. I want to show you something.
[They begin to stroll through the private palace gardens]
These gardens are very precious to me. Perhaps more so than anything else on Thustra. On this beautiful world, it's easy to take these grounds for granted - to assume it's just another greenhouse. It's easy to miss what makes this place special. To miss things like this [Alaric takes a momentary pause to marvel at it's beauty] These flowers are native to an uncharted world on the far side of the galaxy. I've nurtured them for over a hundred years. I cherish them as I would my own children.
As you can see I've taken great care to isolate them. To protect them from the other more aggressive species that would overrun them. Yet I don't bear any ill will toward those predatory species. They do what their nature dictates, and I arrange my garden to accommodate that. Left unchecked, there are certain species here that would overrun the entire garden and destroy the eco-system's stability. But I don't let that happen. I give each a place to grow and to live -- but a place where they can do no harm to their neighbors. In many ways, my garden is like our own galaxy. Every system -- every planet -- offers something unique to the whole. In turn, each has its own individual needs, and must be cared for in kind.
Like my garden, the galaxy requires great patience and attention to maintain, aggressive elements need to be kept in check, and to survive all need to live in harmony. Unlike my garden, however, there is no harmony in the galaxy right now, but I have patience. These conflicts will pass. The republic will eventually put its house back in order and when it does, Thustra will be there. Until then, though... the corruption runs too deep and is spreading too quickly. It threatens to poison Thustra at its very roots. My nephew's already been infected.
But you know this. It must be difficult for you, trying to maintain the Jedi's integrity while the Republic exploits you, sending you out to enforce its will. I know you are beyond evil's grip, and that your motives are true. But I wish I could show you that you're fighting for the wrong side.
Yoda: Weakened the Republic has become, yes, and strained by politics bickering and selfishness. Unblemished are the honorable principles upon which it was founded. A duty I have, to protect those principles.
Alaric: Even if what you're fighting for may someday turn on you? Yoda, we've seen this pattern play out before , on a smaller scale, in other governments, and it always ends badly. What can I do to make you reconsider.. ?
Yoda: Keep me here forever you cannot.
Alaric: I know... but perhaps I can keep you long enough to change your mind. I wish we could stay here and talk all day, but there are things to which I must attend. My nephew might try to move against you. You may need to defend yourselves. I know you won't act rashly. Here take these.
[Hands him the light saber & begins to walk off]
Our friendship has seen the rise and fall of other conflicts. It will survive this one, too. We may be on opposite sides, but I hope that's only temporary. Remain in the garden as long as you like. Being around all of this often clears my head. I'll see you later, old friend.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Alaric
(This is an abbreviated version):
Alaric: Thank you for meeting me, Yoda, away from the eyes and ears of my court. I have enemies within these walls. My nephew has been on Coruscant (The Universal Capital of the Galaxy ) too long. He has lost touch with his roots here on Thustra. ...I wish our reunion could have been under different circumstances. Yet if not for current events, who knows how much more time might have gone by before we saw one another again? It's a small thing, but at least there is that positive side to all of this. I want to show you something.
[They begin to stroll through the private palace gardens]
These gardens are very precious to me. Perhaps more so than anything else on Thustra. On this beautiful world, it's easy to take these grounds for granted - to assume it's just another greenhouse. It's easy to miss what makes this place special. To miss things like this [Alaric takes a momentary pause to marvel at it's beauty] These flowers are native to an uncharted world on the far side of the galaxy. I've nurtured them for over a hundred years. I cherish them as I would my own children.
As you can see I've taken great care to isolate them. To protect them from the other more aggressive species that would overrun them. Yet I don't bear any ill will toward those predatory species. They do what their nature dictates, and I arrange my garden to accommodate that. Left unchecked, there are certain species here that would overrun the entire garden and destroy the eco-system's stability. But I don't let that happen. I give each a place to grow and to live -- but a place where they can do no harm to their neighbors. In many ways, my garden is like our own galaxy. Every system -- every planet -- offers something unique to the whole. In turn, each has its own individual needs, and must be cared for in kind.
Like my garden, the galaxy requires great patience and attention to maintain, aggressive elements need to be kept in check, and to survive all need to live in harmony. Unlike my garden, however, there is no harmony in the galaxy right now, but I have patience. These conflicts will pass. The republic will eventually put its house back in order and when it does, Thustra will be there. Until then, though... the corruption runs too deep and is spreading too quickly. It threatens to poison Thustra at its very roots. My nephew's already been infected.
But you know this. It must be difficult for you, trying to maintain the Jedi's integrity while the Republic exploits you, sending you out to enforce its will. I know you are beyond evil's grip, and that your motives are true. But I wish I could show you that you're fighting for the wrong side.
Yoda: Weakened the Republic has become, yes, and strained by politics bickering and selfishness. Unblemished are the honorable principles upon which it was founded. A duty I have, to protect those principles.
Alaric: Even if what you're fighting for may someday turn on you? Yoda, we've seen this pattern play out before , on a smaller scale, in other governments, and it always ends badly. What can I do to make you reconsider.. ?
Yoda: Keep me here forever you cannot.
Alaric: I know... but perhaps I can keep you long enough to change your mind. I wish we could stay here and talk all day, but there are things to which I must attend. My nephew might try to move against you. You may need to defend yourselves. I know you won't act rashly. Here take these.
[Hands him the light saber & begins to walk off]
Our friendship has seen the rise and fall of other conflicts. It will survive this one, too. We may be on opposite sides, but I hope that's only temporary. Remain in the garden as long as you like. Being around all of this often clears my head. I'll see you later, old friend.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Alaric
Posted by Tarus. Posted In : Clash of Cultures
