The concept of GOOD

The editor of Within the Sphere magazine wasn’t so sure. He looked at the image, and then at the artist. He definitely wasn’t sure.

“THIS?!?” The editor shook the image in front of the artist, and pointedly glared at the picture. “This is meant to represent good? Tell me… how exactly this represents good.”

“It’s looking at things differently,” The artist explained, “thinking outside of the box.”

“That is so far outside of the box, it’s practically in another country.” The editor still didn’t get it. “Go on, explain how the devil represents good.”

“It’s simple.” The artist smiled, smugly. “This is a Risen Devil.”

“A Risen Devil?” The editor’s face was now almost as red as the face on the image he was still waving about. “What on all that is good about all of reality is a Risen Devil?”

“It’s a new concept.” The artist had his answers all ready. “You’ve heard of a Fallen Angel, haven’t you?”

“Yes…”

“Well, a Risen Devil is the exact opposite. A devil that has crossed sides… altered his path… changed his ways… denounced the dark side… become good.”

“But he’s a devil… the clue’s in the final part of the name…”

“Well, if you’re being difficult about it, you could say a similar thing for an angel, especially as the first four letters there are the same first four letters in the word anger – but that’s just being pernickety!”

“OK, then,” the editor calmed down a little. “Look at the clothes. Would a devil, even a Risen Devil, wear a green tee shirt?”

“Oh yes… of course he would!” Smiled the artist. “It’s warm in Hell. He’s also wearing bermuda shorts and a pair of flip-flops.”

“FLIP-FLOPS?!?” the editor lost his cool again. “I can’t imagine a devil wearing flip-flops. I’ll try to ignore that fact. Flip-flops. On a devil. Look at the colours. Haven’t you heard the quote ‘red and green must never be seen but upon a fool’?”

“Those times have changed now. We’re in the twenty first century.”

“Name me one person who represents good who dresses in red and green, and I’ll accept that we’ve moved on.”

“OK. One person?” The artist had a glint in his eye.

“One person.” Smirked he editor, sure he would win this argument.

“My Risen Devil” answered the artist.

“ANOTHER person.” Snorted the editor.

“Another person…” thought the artist, and smiled. “Robin, out of Batman and Robin.”

“…”

The editor put the picture down on the desk in front of him, thought for a second and then said “If he’s a Risen Devil, why is he in Hell?”

“He isn’t in Hell. He’s Risen.”

“If he’s Risen,” the editor was convinced he’d caught the artist out now, “why are the flames of Hell behind him?”

“That,” the artist desperately thought of an answer, “is one of those big black hot-rod trucks with the flames painted along the sides.”

“It looks too big.”

“He’s standing very close to it.”

“No. I don’t see it.” The editor just couldn’t grasp the concept. “All I can see is what is in front of me.”

“And that is why you should think outside of the box. Not everything on face value is as it seems. Sometimes the good is just there. Focus on the good, and you’ll see it.”

The editor dismissed the artist and waited for him to leave his office. He then picked up the image again.

“A good devil…” he sighed, as he placed the image face down on the desk. “Think outside the box indeed…”