Learning

"We've marketed the heaven/hell thing for aeons; it was important to keep decision-making simple," Peter explained. "And it worked pretty well. Full disclosure, however, every lifetime you take on is for experience and ... growth points, if you will." "So, I'm not going to Hell?" the soul asked, in a kind of disbelief. "Oh, heavens, no!" Peter laughed, and then added, "Pun intended." They both chuckled and Peter opened The Great Book. "We don't pass every test; we don't see every opportunity for enlightenment," he continued. "A lot of final accountings look very much like yours, with the racism, sexism, ageism, ism ism ... heh." "Well, I probably could've done better," the soul said quietly (unsure). "Of course," Peter responded. "And you will - in your next life." "I get to pick a new one?" the soul asked, incredulous. "You're given another one with new pluses and minuses; 'to be continued' as they say," he explained, making a mark in the book. "YES!" the soul exclaimed (with a fist pump). "I'd like to have money this time; live large. I'd be generous, but famous, too, and beautiful. Top 1%. Travel would be nice and ... " "Hold up," Peter interrupted. "The new life is made to order in a different way. It's a learning experience." "A ... learning experience," the soul repeated carefully. "Very much so," Peter confirmed. "Ready?" "How much learning? Wait ... what is the learning based on?" the soul began to panic. "Good luck," Peter whispered. A male Clack had been born and they wrapped it in filthy blankets lined with herbs (to hide its newborn smell); they rushed it out into the forest to see if it could be hidden away or even rescued. The Zyll had decided that all Clack males (the lowest of the lowborn) were to be found and terminated.