In Austere there is just enough of everything (although perhaps a little less than one would want). Everything fits in place just so. Each house has one tree in front of it (which provides fruit), one bush beside it (which provides berries) and a row of edible flowers along the windowsill.
Austerians walk to work at the center of town. Here they compute precisely what is needed and produce just that amount for the coming year. Meetings are short and end on time.
It rains just enough for the grains to grow. People wear long sleeves and light rain jackets.
No one wants to visit Austere and the land does not invite them.
“We have no excess,” says the Guide. “Our motto: No more. No less.”
The population remains steady. The average age is 87.
In upper right corner of the square land of Austere, excess of anything gets stored in the capitol Sated. Ambassadors enjoy these pleasantries. They wallow in time. They don’t need much.
“Everything was strangely satisfying,” says Miss Emeline Traveler. “Everyone has such smooth skin and placid complexions."
"I asked a number of denizens, ‘Have you ever been to Sated?’” said Miss Doe Friend. "Most replied, 'No, and I have no interest.' And yet, there seemed to be no ill-feeling for the excesses of those in the capitol.”
“Of course not, our focus is to appreciate each moment,” said the Guide.
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