The First Vision

I come from a place very far from your cave dwelling. We discovered you were the first to see the world and had the thought to describe it. I don’t know if you’ll be able to say much, but I’d like to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?

“Ugha”

Great. This is fantastic dwelling you have here. Quite comfortable. Tell me, what is your name?

“Uga He’pa.”

Nice to met you He’pa. I see you have some artwork on your walls here. Why did you want to depict this scene on your cave wall?

“He’pa see man, animal. Want to make life like I see.”

It’s amazing Hepa. What does the art mean to you?

“Hepa have see many Suns. Long days with Kabata. Long days watching animal. In cave I see what in my head. Battle of ox. I want to see again.”

Extaordinary. Do you see many men in your tribe doing this?

“Kabatas see painting. I tell him to make. He have no want. Ask why. No want. Only ox.”

Do you think many more men will paint images like this?

“Many day go by. Quiet. We travel. We hunt. Kabatas strong together. I show what I see of Kabata. Kabatas never see what I see.

You have demonstrated subjectivity He’pa . The first recorded instance, I believe.

“Ugha”

I’m part of a time where we have many paintings He’pa . I want to thank you for showing me your art. But I must leave as I cannot stay long. I hope you continue to show what being human means.

“Hepa want you paint. What you see?”

Okay.

I grabbed a rock and drew on the slate we were sitting on. A circle and what looked like continents. This is home He’pa. This is where we are. This is Earth. I pointed to the sky and made a round gesture with my arms.

He looked at it. Looked closer. Moved his finger around the chalk. And stood. I looked up at him. He walked over to some rubble. Picked up a large rock and walked back to me.

He handed me the rock.

“Home?”

Yes He’pa. Home.