Unstoppable

The two brothers stood atop a rock outcropping two hundred feet above a section of Maine’s coastline, anxiously expecting the events that were about to unfold. At the base of the cliff, the coast road wound its’ way around a picturesque cove. Strategically placed at either end of the cove were a succession of signs that read:

Entering Kraken Cove. No Stopping!

Danger! No Stopping

Do Not Stop!

In the middle of this stretch of road was a viewing area, complete with a picnic table. Three cars approximately a half mile apart approached the first sign. The lead car drove past the three signs and into the cove area. The scenic overlook promised breathtaking pictures and a great place for a picnic, so the driver pulled in. Within thirty seconds of the car coming to a complete stop, a massive tentacle burst out of the sea and swept the car and passenger into the depths below. The passengers of the second car witnessed the catastrophic event and immediately swerved into the picnic area intending to render aid, if possible. Once again, a tentacle emerged and dragged the would-be rescuers to their doom. The third car increased speed and rocketed past the spot where the double tragedy had occurred. The brothers observed a passenger dialing what could only have been 911 to report the disaster.

Poseidon spoke first. “Once again, I have proven my point. Even when these humans have been given ample warning, they are just too arrogant to take the correct action. They are no better than simple beasts. They allow instinct to rule over logic. Only fear forces them to take the action appropriate for the situation they are in. I don’t know why you keep defending them, brother?”

Zeus replied, “I defend them because I see their true nature. The people in the first car saw no imminent danger and calculated that the experience of viewing the cove’s beauty firsthand far outweighed any potential risk. Of course, they were wrong, but it was their choice to make. Car two’s occupants acted purely out of compassion for their fellow travelers. There is always a potential for survival and they wanted to be available to help. The occupants of car three pushed aside the terror they were feeling and made the logical choice, escape first, and then call for help. Only a highly developed species could have responded the way each of the car’s occupants did.”

Poseidon, “I realize now that curing you of the soft spot you have for these creatures will take more than this little demonstration. I will need to devise a new test that will prove my point.”

Zeus, “I doubt that will ever happen, but like the humans you despise, I will keep an open mind. It’s possible I could be wrong, but I doubt it.”

With that, the two brothers leaped from their vantage point, Zeus to the heavens and Poseidon into the sea to retrieve his pet Kraken.

Unbeknownst to the two arguing brothers, a third brother watched from below. Amused by the spirited back and forth going on above him. Hades, although tempted to join in the conversation, decided not to bother. He could tell them how futile their arguments were, but he knew his brothers wouldn’t listen. They never paid much attention to him unless they needed a particular favor he alone could grant.

No, he would remain silent as his brothers departed. Now it was time for him to do his job. Hades moved into the sea and collected the souls that had just perished. For him, it didn’t matter which brother was right. In the end, the humans all belonged to him.