Even if you got rid of paper, you would still have story-tellers. In fact, you had the story-tellers before you had the paper.

I've come across a novel called The Palm-Wine Drinkard, by the Nigerian writer Amos Tutuola, that is really remarkable because it is a kind of fantasy of West African mythology all told in West African English which, of course, is not the same as standard English.

Percival was mouse-coloured and had not been very attractive even to his mother.

I suppose I'd have to say that my favourite author is Homer. After Homer's Ilaid, I'd name The Odyssey, and then I'd mention a number of plays of Euripides.

Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?

My yesterdays walk with me. They keep step, they are gray faces that peer over my shoulder.

A crowd of grade-three thinkers, all shouting the same thing, all warming their hands at the fire of their own prejudices, will not thank you for pointing out the contradictions in their beliefs. Man is a gregarious animal, and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way on the side of a hill.