A Man and His Maps

Once there was a man. He had many maps, this man. All the maps, in fact. This man had more maps than he could count. These maps this man had could barely fit on his table. He’d look over these maps all day, every day. He was the most learned of all the map-men.

“Hmm, yes. I wonder which of these maps is correct…. Hmm...” He’d say to himself - and stroke his chin - as he pondered his maps.

You see - all these maps were maps of the same landmass, or at least they were supposed to be, but some of the maps were of some parts and others of other parts. Some were the same, others contradictory. Some were maps of other maps, and those maps maps of yet more maps. Maps for maps - for maps for maps! So many, many maps. But which map was the correct map?

The man he sat, staring at his maps. Comparing maps, measuring maps, inspecting maps with a magnifying glass.

“A-ha!” He’d shout at times. “I think I’ve found the one! And to be certain, I’ll check this other map.” So, he compared maps, and he compared some more - and this went on and on - forever.

Right behind this man sat a landmass. It had a giant red neon sign right above it, fifty times the size of the landmass itself. The sign it read:

LOOK HERE, DUMBASS

With a big red arrow pointing to the landmass.

He never saw it.