Till We Have Faces, Orual's Judgement

The god of myth and truth listens to Orual tell her story.  He sits patiently as she tells of her love for Psyche.  When she finishes, the god speaks up in a powerful voice and tells the queen a story.  “Once upon a time there were two brothers, the sons of a poor peasant.  One day the elder of the two happened up a pouch of gold.  The boy wished to return home and share his fortune with his family, but upon returning his brother accused him of stealing the fortune.  The older son was devastated and fled the town.  He settled in the next town over where he spent his fortune on a beautiful boat.  Years later the younger brother after learning the truth went to apologize to his older, but the older brother had been too hurt and would not return home to his family.  The younger brother greatly missed his sibling, and knew how to get him to return.  So that night he snuck out and destroyed everything his older brother owned.  Stealing his siblings happiness in order to force him to return home.”  When the story was finished the god turned to Orual asking, “Who is guilty?”  Orual quickly replied, “Of course it is the younger.”  The God replied, “You are correct.  And just as the younger brother selfishly stole his siblings happiness, so have you done the same to Psyche.”  The God declared her guilty.