Американские боги

           "I’mjustasoulwhoseintentionsaregood,"hesangtothecrabsandthespidersandthepalmettobeetlesandthelizardsandthenight."Ohlord,pleasedon’tletmebemisunderstood."

           Mr.Nancyshowedhimtothecouch.ItwasmuchsmallerthanShadow,whodecidedtosleeponthefloor,butbythetimehehadfinisheddecidingtosleeponthefloorhewasalreadyfastasleep,half-sitting,half-lying,onthetinysofa.

           Atfirst,hedidnotdream.Therewasjustthecomfortingdarkness.Andthenhesawafireburninginthedarknessandhewalkedtowardit.

           "Youdidwell,"whisperedthebuffalomanwithoutmovinghislips.

           "Idon’tknowwhatIdid,"saidShadow.

           "Youmadepeace,"saidthebuffaloman."Youtookourwordsandmadethemyourown.Theyneverunderstoodthattheywerehere—andthepeoplewhoworshipedthemwerehere—becauseitsuitsusthattheyarehere.Butwecanchangeourminds.Andperhapswewill."

           "Areyouagod?"askedShadow.

           Thebuffalo-headedmanshookhishead.Shadowthought,foramoment,thatthecreaturewasamused."Iamtheland,"hesaid.

           AndiftherewasmoretothatdreamthenShadowdidnotrememberit.

           Heheardsomethingsizzling.Hisheadwasaching,andtherewasapoundingbehindhiseyes.

           Mr.