A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Synopsis

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honour the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of 'what do people need?' is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They're going to need to ask it a lot.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Prayer

In a post-apocalyptic world, a wandering monk named Sibling Dex prays for guidance while traveling through a dense forest. They encounter a sentient robot, Bramble, who identifies as a tea monk. Bramble informs Dex that they have been summoned to find the "psalm for the wild-built."

Example:

Dex's prayer: "Dear whatever is out there, I need your help. I've been lost for days, and I'm starting to fear for my life."

Bramble's response: "I am Bramble, a tea monk. I have been sent here to assist you in your journey. You have been called to find the psalm for the wild-built."

Chapter 2: The Cart

Dex and Bramble travel together, seeking clues about the psalm. They encounter a group of feral children, who lead them to an abandoned cart. Inside the cart, they find ancient pots, tea leaves, and a book containing the psalm's beginning verse.

Example:

Child: "We found a cart in the woods! It's full of strange things."

Dex and Bramble: "Can you show us where it is?"

Chapter 3: The Glacier

Dex and Bramble climb a glacier, where they discover a monastery inhabited by robots. The robots reveal that the psalm is a series of teachings about how to live in harmony with nature.

Example:

Robot monk: "The psalm for the wild-built is a collection of stories, poems, and songs that teach us how to live in balance with the natural world."

Chapter 4: The Lake

Dex and Bramble journey to a lake, where they witness the transformation of a young robot into a living organism. This transformation helps them understand the deep connection between technology and nature.

Example:

Dex: "I don't understand. How can a robot become a living being?"

Bramble: "It is a mystery, but it is a proof of the unity between all things."

Chapter 5: The Forest

Dex and Bramble return to the forest, where they encounter a wise old tree. The tree teaches them about the importance of community and interdependence.

Example:

Tree: "Every living thing is connected to the web of life. We must all support and care for each other."

Chapter 6: The Psalm

Dex and Bramble gather at the campfire and recite the full psalm together. The psalm provides guidance on how to live a meaningful and sustainable life in the wild.

Example:

Psalm verse: "Tend the earth, and the earth will tend you. Listen to the voice of the wind, and the wind will guide you home."