It’s time to open another window on our literary advent calendar and today we’re adding a little fantasy to the mix with an excerpt from Discworld 20, or The Hogfather as it’s better known. The Hogfather is a fantasy creature created by Terry Pratchett who on 32nd December every year, Hogswatchnight, grants wishes to children and brings them presents.
The Hogfather is present in several novels but this is the most festive of them all, and our excerpt today looks at why we believe.
“All right,” said Susan. “I’m not stupid. You’re saying humans need… fantasies to make life bearable.”
REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.
“Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—”
YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.
“So we can believe the big ones?”
YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.
“They’re not the same at all!”
YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME…SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.
“Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what’s the point—”
MY POINT EXACTLY.”
Here it is in video form if you’d like to watch.
We’ll see you again tomorrow with another literary treat, focused around the festive season.
We hope you’re getting stuck into some wonderful festive literature, and whether you’re reading about Father Christmas or The Hogfather we hope it’s getting you in the mood for the big day!
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