jack-vance

Guyal of Sfere had been born one apart from his fellows and early proved a source of vexation for his sire. Normal in outward configuration, there existed within his mind a void that ached for nourishment. It was as if a spell had been cast upon his birth, a harassment visited on the child in a spirit of sardonic mockery, so that every occurrence, no matter how trifling, became a source of wonder and amazement. Even as young as four he was expounding such inquiries as: __hy do squares have more sides than triangles?___ow will we see when the sun goes dark?___o flowers grow under the ocean?___o stars hiss and sizzle when rain comes by night?