The Players
In a place where the Aztecs once ruled, there is a village that still plays the old game. Players’ elbows and knees are swathed in heavy pads and they kick a heavy rubber ball across an arena.
Now this arena is unlike any other arena. It resembles the ancient step pyramids, but the steps jut off at odd angles and they lead up and down in irregular patterns. The crowd sits at the furthest edges of the arena.
A philosopher is placed on his back, tucked away in a corner where it is determined that the rubber ball will pass over him, but never hit him. His legs are immobilized by heavy stones, but his arms are free. As the ball flies over him—kicked around by the players—he covers his face with his hands. The crowd laughs at him, and he laughs uneasily along with them, recognizing his folly.
It is said that the elders developed this practice to dissuade the people from believing that the examined life is better than any other life.
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