The Story
Above the Gate hung a clock with thirteen hands. It was spectacularly unhelpful.
One hand pointed to NOW. Another pointed to LATER. A third seemed to indicate AFTER A SNACK.
A visitor arrived with a question that mattered. The traveler wanted to answer well, but her thoughts were running around like startled chickens.
“I care about this,” she said, “and I can't do it justice at this moment.”
The visitor looked at the clock. “Which hand tells us when?”
“Mine,” said the traveler, holding up her perfectly ordinary hand.
They agreed to try again tomorrow. Or to revisit the timing if tomorrow wasn't right. The clock continued being decorative.