Life or Death?

So, which is older, day or night? I asked.

Well, said the Geranium, the Gymnosophist answered that day was older, by one day.

What kind of an answer was that?

Alexander asked the same thing. What kind of an answer is that? And the Gymnosophist replied: Hard questions have hard answers.

Ooh! And did he get killed?

No, Alexander wasn't the judge.

Who was?

Alexander had chosen the oldest Gymnosophist to be the judge.

Exciting! Hurry up with the story.

Patience, said the Geranium, and went on:

Next, Alexander asked Gymnosophist number six: How can a man be most loved? He answered: If he is most powerful and yet does not inspire fear. Then Alexander asked Gymnosophist number seven: How might one become a god instead of a man? He answered: By doing something which a man cannot do.

What's that?

Alexander didn't ask. He probably realised he would be wasting a question.

Oh yes, what can a man do that a man cannot do? What a silly question. You could, though, couldn't you, Geranium?

What?

Do something a man cannot do, being a plant. Does that make you a god?

I doubt it, I would have to do something a plant cannot do.

You do.

What do I do? Don't distract me..... now where was I? Question number eight. Which is stronger, life or death?

Death, I said, without thinking.

Wrong, said the Geranium. Wrong, wrong, wrong.