Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 79: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION sible jargon. Kalin frowned and snatched the book away. “What is this?” he said sternly. “Have you been kept in food and fire, light and clothing for so long and yet still cannot read?” “Wait!” The old man shuffled forward and taking the book rested it reverently on the shelf. Galmly he stared at the angry king. “The Pupil is yet young,” he said gently, “and the Books are hard even for me.” “Why should they be?” “Why?” The old man smiled. “I will show you.” Reaching out he took a bow from one of the warriors. “I am no hunter and I have never used a twanger in my life,” he said. “And yet...” Taking an arrow he fitted it to the cord, drew it back and sent it deep into the planks of the floor. “See? Even I can send a sticker into a target.” He handed back the bow. ee” “You have seen what I could do. Would you take me as a warrior in your band?” 78 You 3 “T lack the skill to send a sticker fast and far. I need the learning before I can stalk my game and hit my target. Even so. And yet could your warriors read? I can use a twanger. Could they read a Book?” ‘The old man shook his head. “No. Each to his skill and no man should tell another how to do what he cannot. I have speat my life a> “Of course not. - learning to read the.Jooks. Do not expect the same skill from my Pupil, even as you do not expect skill with a twanger from me.” “They are fair words,” admitted Kalin. He gestured towards the books. “What is contained here?” “Words,” said the old man. “Words telling of great things. They were wise those men who lived in the Golden Age, and they put their wisdom in- to words and put those words into Books. They could teach us so much, how to travel fast and far, to keep warm in winter, to harness spirits to comicloooks.com