The Map Maker (PDF)

Can we really see the world in a fair and unbiased way? The Map Maker is the story of a young adventurer who travels to Paradise Island with the aid of a magical map. Here, he begins his own "knowledge quest" to better understand why people see the world just the way they do.Arguably one of the most important traits any person can possess is the ability to see things from another person's point of view. This story shows how different people, with differing viewpoints, can each believe that his or her own viewpoint is reasonable and accurate. It offers an explanation as to why it is difficult, if not impossible, to judge events objectively.Using simple prose, this work introduces and explores the meaning behind the phrase "the subjectivity of truth and the relativity of reality." A product of inspirational and literary fiction, The Map Maker will hold special appeal for readers interested in philosophy in fiction.This short story will also introduce readers to the story line of the movie Rashomon. This Oscar-winning, Japanese foreign-language film was one of the first movies to present viewers with an account of multiple perspectives, in which each person who is called to testify at a trial gives conflicting testimony."The Map Maker is a short story as playful as it is poignant. The marriage of whimsical images and thought-provoking text creates a unique tapestry: one that weaves storytelling and philosophy with literary verve. Royal challenges us to think about the key role that perspective plays in our lives. He also shows how literature, acting as both an art form and a pragmatic tool, can help us gain critical insights."—Rachel Metalin, B.A. M.A., English Instructor, Upper Canada College (UCC), Toronto, Canada