The Great Earth Debate
By Gina M. Gafford
Flash Fiction Reading (700 words or less)
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC)
Sower Gallery (Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, Chaska, Minnesota)
August 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

The Great Earth Debate
     Why does the shape of the Earth matter so much? Do we need to know if the Earth is round or flat? This debate started a long time ago with two ancient Greek philosophers. Plato was a teacher, mentor, and sage. He was known throughout history to have a large book in the crook of his left arm and his right finger pointing toward the sky. Plato started a school called the Academy in 387 B.C.
     Plato’s student was Aristotle. Aristotle was an eager and contemplative soul. His brown curly hair wisped around his head as his thoughts ran with the wind. Opposite Plato’s finger pointing up, Aristotle had his right palm facing toward the ground. Aristotle admired Plato and tried to be obedient. 
     In the future, Plato and Aristotle would become famous philosophers and add to the knowledge about the world. What they taught and wrote would become the foundations of philosophy. The shape of the Earth matters because it reveals the true origins of humanity. 
     One morning, Plato was alone in his study, with shelves of thick books lining the walls. The sun was rising over the horizon to light the new day, but the heaviness of Plato’s mind anchored him at his wooden desk. Two large stone pillars with vertical lines reminded him of his duties – teaching and discovering. Large, white square tiles on the floor added coolness to the space. Every movement echoed in the spacious room. A morning fire from a nearby building drifted into Plato’s nose.
     Plato was a serious philosopher and astrologer. As he sat at his desk, his saffron robes draped onto the floor and lightly touched his brown sandals. Plato had a premonition. 
     He wrote in his journal: 
     A great wave of change is coming to the shore of knowledge. No one can stop it. I must try to change the course before it’s too late. But who will continue my legacy when I am gone? I am getting old.
     All of a sudden, Plato heard footsteps. He looked up to see his student, Aristotle. 
     “My dear teacher, may I talk to you?” Aristotle said with beady eyes. He stood before Plato’s desk with a small book, his heart beating fast.
     “Yes, what is so urgent? You rushed in like a spooked horse.”
     “I have a revelation, a new philosophy of the Earth.” Aristotle lifted his chest as he took a deep breath.
     “What is this philosophy? What news do you bring me?” Plato glared at Aristotle.
     “My teacher, I have new knowledge of the Earth. We were fooled, my teacher. The Earth’s shadow on the moon is curved which indicates a round Earth.”
     “The Earth is not round. You have gone mad! Do not believe in this new philosophy. The Earth is fixed under the firmament. The sun and moon rotate around the Earth. These are the truths!” 
     Aristotle stood his ground. His thoughts became dark, and his face red. He wanted to strike out with anger. Why couldn’t his teacher listen to him? He knew he was right. The old ways needed to go away.
     “Old man, I can’t be your student anymore.” Aristotle said.
     “You dare to mock your teacher? I have spent years training you. Arrogance is the seed you plant. I will be gone when it is ripe, but future generations will suffer.”
     “My teacher, we are a different generation, and I want to follow a different path.” 
     “You have discovered a lie. You think you have grand wisdom, but it is not.”
     “My teacher, I want to follow the new philosophy of the world. I am not sorry.” 
     Plato abruptly stood up, and the heavy chair slid behind him. He could not believe his eyes. Aristotle was leaving the Academy. However, Plato knew this new philosophy was a deep-seated disservice to humanity. He could foresee the loss of connection to truth and knowledge.
     “Wisdom rides the wind of the past. You are the fool. Get out!”
     Aristotle paused for a moment before leaving the room. He felt a tinge of sadness, but he was right. It was time for new knowledge, and he knew he would change the world.