Chapter 3

"I am not who you think I am," John said, his eyes scanning the faces of his guests. "I am not a man of this time. I was born over 14,000 years ago, in a world that no longer exists. I have lived through countless generations, witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, and walked among figures you only know from history books." The room erupted in a chorus of disbelief and skepticism. Dr. Levine, the biologist, was the first to voice his doubts. "That's impossible," he said, shaking his head. "Human beings don't live that long. It's biologically implausible." John nodded, acknowledging the objection. "I understand your skepticism. But consider this: what if there are forces at work in the universe that we don't yet understand? What if there are exceptions to the rules we take for granted?" Dr. Collins, the anthropologist, leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "If what you're saying is true, then you would have seen things, experienced things that no one else has. Can you give us proof?" John smiled faintly. "Proof is a tricky thing. But I can tell you stories, share memories that no one else could possibly have. For example, I was there when the pyramids were built. I walked the streets of ancient Babylon. I sat in the court of Alexander the Great. I even met a man named Jesus of Nazareth." The room fell silent again, the weight of John's words sinking in. Dr. Evans, the theologian, looked particularly shaken. "You're saying you knew Jesus? That you were there during his lifetime?" John nodded. "I was. And I can tell you that the man you know from the Bible was very different from the historical figure. He was a teacher, a philosopher, but he was also a man, with all the flaws and complexities that come with being human." Dr. Thompson, the psychologist, interjected. "This is all very fascinating, but it's also incredibly hard to believe. How do we know you're not just a very convincing storyteller? How do we know this isn't some elaborate hoax?" John's expression grew serious. "I understand your doubts. But consider this: why would I lie? What could I possibly gain from deceiving you? I have no desire for fame or fortune. I simply want to share my story, to pass on the knowledge I've accumulated over the centuries." The room was filled with a tense silence as each of the guests grappled with the implications of John's revelation. Dr. Barlow, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "John, if what you're saying is true, then you have a unique perspective on human history. You've seen the best and worst of us. You've witnessed our triumphs and our failures. What can you tell us about the future? What can we learn from your experiences?" John's eyes softened as he looked at Dr. Barlow. "The future is always uncertain, Edith. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that humanity is resilient. We have faced countless challenges over the millennia, and yet we continue to survive, to adapt, to evolve. But we must also learn from our mistakes. We must strive to be better, to treat each other with kindness and compassion, to protect the world we live in." The room was filled with a sense of awe and wonder as John's words sank in. Each of the guests was lost in their own thoughts, trying to process the enormity of what they had just heard.