Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)

by Ilona Andrews

“To show a creature with five legs demonstrates understanding rather than observation.” “What do you mean, understanding?” “They didn’t simply follow nature’s blueprint and make exactly what they observed,” Doolittle said. “They understood the difference between perception and reality, and they portrayed a concept rather than the exact copy of what they could see.” Doolittle took a piece of paper and a pen and began to draw. “When we are born, we start out with concrete thinking. We perceive only what we see and hear.” He showed us the piece of paper. On it a dove soared above a crushed birdcage. “What do you see?” “A bird flying away from a broken cage,” Derek said. “What does it symbolize?” “Freedom,” I said. “What else?” “Escape,” Eduardo said. Doolittle turned to Derek. “Leaving what is safe so you can be more,” Derek said. “The cage is what the bird knows; the sky is all the things he still wants to do, even if it’s a risk.” “Ah!” Doolittle raised his index finger. “All those are examples of abstract thinking. Our entire culture is based on the idea that a single concept can have many different interpretations. We actively encourage the development of this skill, because it helps us solve our problems in new ways. So did the ancient Assyrians, apparently. When looking at the lamassu, we have to consider not only what it is but what it may represent. We can’t simply take it at face value.” The million-dollar question was, what could a scaled bull with a human face and ...