The eyes of the God grew stern and blazed with angry fire. He summoned the Leader of His Angels. “Is this what you have done for my beloved people? I commanded you to furnish them with the means of abundant production and to place the servants of the gods at their disposal. Had you done so there would be such a wealth of goods on this island that not all the people with their guests could consume it. Behold your work! With the exception of a few, they starve and freeze, and are in worse plight than before. Speak quickly, for if you have disobeyed me, I will consign you to such a hell as even humans would refuse to stay in.”

The Leader of the Angels trembled, but his glance did not waver, and he spoke firmly and fearlessly, “My Lord, I have obeyed. The spirits of the earth, the water, the air and the fire have been harnessed, and the servants of the gods slave for this people who have become free to produce more than they consume. That was the extent of my authority. I have fulfilled your command. But see, my Lord, how this people have employed their wealth!”

The Leader pointed to a harbor, in which lay many ships laden with coffee, fruit, spices, and the produce from many distant lands. On one vessel were long lines of ragged, underfed men, busily engaged in dumping into the sea, thousands of sacks of coffee. On another they were engaged bringing luscious melons from the hold, stabbing each one with a knife, to make certain their destruction by the salt water to which they consigned them.

Inland could be seen great peach orchards, cut down in full fruit and rotting on the ground. Farmers were burning wheat in the presence of thousands who had no bread, or dumping milk and cream into the canals, while