And Stelos traveled to the city of Nyap-On-The-River, and He went to the university therein, and He saw the man, whose name was Humphar, telling a group of students that the gods did not exist.

And Stelos took upon Himself the guise of a student, and He called out, saying, "Wise Humphar, how can you say that the gods do not exist? Surely someone must have created the Earth and the races which people it."

And Humphar replied, "It is no greater an assumption to believe that the Earth is a naturally occurring phenomenon than to believe that gods are a naturally occurring phenomenon."

Stelos considered this for a moment, and then said, "But how can you deny the faith of millions? Surely the myriad peoples of the Earth could not agree on such a matter if it were not true."

And Humphar replied, "It is in the nature of all men to believe in gods, for faith in a higher power is a comfort in times of trouble. Man has a need to rely upon a power greater than himself, even if that power is intangible. For myself, I see this for what it is, and have no need of such a crutch."

And Stelos thought for a moment, and then He said, "But what of the various holy texts written by the prophets and accepted as truth by various religions? Why would such books be held up by the clergy and rulers if they were not true?"

And Humphar said, "Religion teaches that there are always consequences for one's actions; if not in this life, than in the next. By frightening people into behaving `properly', these religions support Authority; and in turn, Authority supports the religions."

And Stelos looked at Humphar for a long moment. And then He said, "Ah, but what of the various miracles that the gods have performed? The golden coins that Serapis, the Hope of Mortals, has rained upon the poor? Or the transformation of the unrighteous Shelm the Tyrant into a tree by Kudzu the Forester? Or Havoc, the Lord of Destruction, leading the Hooters into battle against their enemies? How do you explain these?" And he glared triumphantly at Humphar.

"Myths," said the old teacher. "Stories made up by bored skalds, or by emperors to justify their rule, or by parents to frighten children. Have you ever noticed that all of them happened in the distant past, or far away? Have you ever noticed that no one you know has actually seen such acts? If such miracles truly exist, show me one!"

"Fine," said Stelos, and a forty-foot-tall purple giraffe wearing an evening gown and playing the trombone fell out of the sky and landed on Humphar.