Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well! How has the school year been so far? Today I have a short story to share with you: Long ago in the Far East , rulers expected their subjects to obey without question. One such ruler decided that his people were different; thus, normally accepted conventions did not apply to them. He abolished speech, claiming it was a waste of energy and open to interpretation. Instead, he decreed that everyone should use sign language. But it got worse; they had to convey the exact opposite , for after all, they were “unique.” A nod of the head meant no , while moving the head from side to side meant yes . The whole kingdom was thrown into chaos. At first, his subjects struggled but over time, they became masters of this reversed sign language.  Over generations, they developed the belief that the outside world could never understand them. Then came a season of heavy rains. A great flood swept through their land, submerging villages. Neighbors from surr...