Niek Janssen tells the story of Orpheus whose wife was killed. Struck by sadness he went into the underworld to get his wife back. Hades, God of the underworld, denies Orpheus’ request to get his wife back. Disappointed Orpheus sings a song about the love he has for his wife. Miraculously, Hades was moved by this and told Orpheus that he could get his wife back if he would walk all the way out of the underworld. Without, looking, back. As we know, Orpheus did look back and saw his wife disappearing to the underworld again, but now forever. This story is an example of trust. Or better, about the lack of trust. Orpheus’ love conquered even death, but true love was conquered by distrust. What does this story teach us?

When reading a story, we are led into the fictional world of the author. For a moment we believe a story where hellhounds and angels are real. We don’t look back and think: This is not real, that can’t happen. We call this the willing dispensation of disbelieve. And this phenomenon makes us wonder. Wonder about stories, the world and people. So use this dispensation of disbelieve when you talk to someone you don’t know and make the effort to be surprised. And remember: Never. Look. Back.

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