"We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it’s pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We’re on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on."

• C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

My name is Calvin, my day job is chairman of the truth department. It is my responsibility to present to the public only verified information, as decided on by the department.

In a moment I will have to address the department, but the speech will be broadcasted throughout the land. To prepare myself I recite our national slogan to my mirror image.

"Knowledge is fire, truth burns."

The words feel empty when spoken out loud, as if I want to convince myself of something I no longer really believe.

Twenty years as chairman of the truth department, twenty years of burning books. Real truth is the constant renewal, the burning of the old. Knowledge is a devouring fire and truth burns to the heavens.

Truth is for sale, because progress is truth. Progression costs money, which is why we get paid to sell the truth. The truth exactly as the public expects it, just as the government makes them feel.

The government is us, a coalition of departments functioning without a parliament, without dictator, without a head. We correct each others course.

The rulers who have not had the ruling power for ages, still speak to us; through the radio, in the newspaper, on television and through the internet. A truth fabricated for a good payment, filled with lies that put our thinking right.

The science, it is settled. They have the answer. We are no more than the sum of our parts. There is no soul. And so too are we, no more than our departments, we need no leader.

"Science is the ultimate knowledge, and knowledge is fire"

These empty words taste sweet, as I have been speaking them for years. Science formed into a comfortable coat, with which I dress myself up in order to sell truth. Everyone in the department knows that science has long left us. The department of science is an empty authority that only examines itself. For a good price, because how can one find truth without buying it?

To prop up the truth I had to cancel my engagement with my fiancée long ago. We all know that it does not really matter, but we tell each other physical contact is dangerous. That is the oldest truth, and we need to keep it standing. Otherwise truth will collapse.

I loved her, but truth trumps love.

The empty corridor in the direction of the conference hall reminds me of the last truth that we sold. It all started with a virus, with the fear that made the people willing to buy our truths. They are in good hands.

But to keep truth standing, I am not allowed to think back to the lies we had to tell in order to to reveal the truth. The truth that the department of truth is always right, and that they mean the best for the people.

Currently we are dealing with the constant threat of earthquakes, to justify the fear the people feel. We discourage gathering in large buildings. It makes life easier for me, because the truth looks better through the television than it does up close.

From the other side of the corridor one of my colleagues walks toward me. He carries a stack of books. Likely meant for the next liberation of truth, a great bonfire, fed by old books filled with things that are no longer allowed to be true.

I give him a friendly nod in passing, but that proves fatal. The small kindness distracts him enough to where the topmost book he is carrying falls down, taking the other books in the stack with it.

We both quickly drop to our knees, and close our eyes to pick up the books. But before I can shut out the lies, my eyes catch a passage from the topmost book that fell open.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)

Old lies from a dusty book, but something about the lie seems to look back at me.

"Knowledge is fire," I mutter below my breath "Truth burns"

We eventually get the books stacked again, and my colleague moves on after apologizing.

I do not know if it was because we had our eyes closed, or that we were too hasty to stack the books, but when looking back I see the odl book of lies. Without knowing why, I pick it up and take it with me.

The corridor I walk seems longer and darker than before. but after pacing on for a while the door opens and I step out unto the pedestal. Here is the truth, and I have to sell it. For a good price.

"Ladies, gentlemen and other orientations. Especially you, members of the department: Greetings. Knowledge is fire, truth burns."

I put on my best smile, because that is what I am paid for.

"Today I bring good news to you. The science is settled. The buildings we thought we could not meet in, are safe enough to resist earthquakes. However, it seems that the epicenter of the next earthquake will be on the bottom of the ocean, which would send a tsunami our way. Statistics show that some buildings are not build on high enough ground to survive a tsunami of the size we are expecting."

A deep sigh leaves my lips. My candor beams from my face, and is worth every silver penny of the price that it was sold for.

"This is why we decided to use the currently empty buildings to house the people, while we will protect your homes with dikes which we will build. I want to keep it short today, so please ask your questions now."

A reporter in a long, grey coat stands up.

"last month a third of the companies went out of business because large buildings could not be used. What will you do for these companies?"

"That is a wonderful question, of course we all experience the pressure in our society in these chaotic times. However, I can assure you that we will do everything we can to make it to the end together. We all have to do our part."

"But what of their buildings and the former owners that can no longer feed their families?"

"Again, we are all under pressure in this difficult time, we shall buy the buildings to give the people living room while we work on our tsunami- and flood defenses. With the money they get they can start anew."

Another reporter stands up, a woman, possibly, but the truth is that we are not allowed to assume gender.

"Department Chief, I was wondering if it is wise to bring the people more chaos instead of allowing them some time to calm down and choose for themselves?"

In the back of my head, something stirs at the mention of the word wise, but I decide to tell her the truth.

"Truth is that many can not decide for themselves what is right, and that is why it is important that we all do our part. With each other and for each other."

"But-", the woman interrupts me, "what is wisdom?"

At that point in time the conference room seems to freeze in time. What is wisdom? What is truth? Who makes that call?

I look at the woman again, and maybe it is a lie I tell myself, but her eyes remind me of my former fiancée. What is wisdom? Discarding meaningless relationships for the lies I told myself? Because the people had to listen to the truth we prescribe them? Because we are always right?

Before I can stop myself, lost years of selling the truth and auditing my thoughts to conform reach a breaking point. My own little tsunami, my own little fire.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

And in spite of my tears, I am on fire.