The Man Zero (preface)

The story of the man Zero is a short one, sad and tragic to some, darkly comedic to others.  It is a true story, but it is a story, nonetheless -- a record, if you will -- and this means that, for all the truths included in it, a far greater many were omitted so that the story could be told.  And so though it is true and complete, I pray you won't think me too philosophical when I add that it is, by the limiting nature of narrative forms, also untrue and incomplete.

It should also be part of this preface that no man after our protagonist ever dared match his achievement (if that is the appropriate word).  Ironically, every man before him dedicated his life, almost religiously, to attaining the benchmark of human spirit herein discussed.  It was supposed to be an impossible challenge, a legend, a myth, but man at full and vivacious form rarely believes in impossibilities.  Thus, all before him who believed in truth endeavored to find it, to know it, to be it.  But when the challenge was proven possible, the allure of its achievement evaporated and men began to estimate its value based on results.  As if fledgling scientists, laymen inquired and researched, asking, “How did the man Zero feel, how did he live, was he happier than I, richer?”  Certainly, measured by results, the man Zero was, if nothing else, a warning to his successors: find the truth and forget not why you ever pursued it.

Many desisted, preferring the clear and prepared paths to the deep unknown whose dark called to them like sirens, inviting them to greatness.

You probably have an idea of how his story goes, now.  Correctly, you have added up the evidence and concluded that this man's life was not so great since no one after him attempted to duplicate the historic feat.  You would be correct in the same way that the story is true and complete, for though he was far from rich, suffered an unjust proportion, and, over-all, did not lead a life preferable to any other, he did live in a way that invited the unseen into the common light, in a way that made it seem he was the cause and controller of the supernatural witnessed by his contemporaries. In short, he spoke with angels, performed miracles, diagnosed and offered remedies for societies’ ills. He made the blind see what is real-but-not-acknowledged and he showed them a way.

  

Here, I imagine, the non-believer folds the book and reaches for another that will reinforce what he already believes to be so.  Unfortunate; for here the true story begins.