Page 121 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Story the Eighth:
Burning the Goat

Luther the Goat, who was next in line to be sacrificed to the gods, had
seen his fair share of sacrifices, so he knew about that tricky slip knot they put
around your back right ankle: the harder you try to get away, the tighter it
binds you to the stake. When you think about it, that’s so paradoxical! If you
don't make any effort at all, but just sit there while the pyre consumes you, the
rope doesn't do anything. This is a devious way to get you to believe that you
are basically free to go, and that being sacrificed was somehow your idea and
you're happy when that flickery fire comes to get you. But if you struggle and
fight the rope, it will bite into your leg and never let you go. Luther wondered
whether a middle ground was possible. You know, trick the rope as it were,

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