It was very soon after we had learned to keep fire.
My friend came to me stinking like burnt shit. ”I’ve invented a wonderful new fire-technique!” he said. ”Remember those pungent plants? Smoldering them smells awful and makes you want to puke, but later you feel good!”
”Can it be safe,” I said, ”remember the new adage about our dog that ate those? Your lips look blue after breathing that stuff… and you smell disgusting.”
”But it makes you feel great!”
”Why would anyone want to get used to it?”
”Don’t underestimate the power of advertising”, said my friend Tobak.
Copyright © 1999 Otto J. Mäkelä