Mission Subject: On Being Instructed Not To Be Afraid
This morning's research assignment sent the me deep into the archives in search of significant events associated with October 22. After several minutes of cautious rolling, moderate nervousness, and one completely unnecessary safety inspection of a harmless potted plant, the I discovered that October 22 is celebrated throughout the Church as the feast day of John Paul II. The date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the inaugural Mass of his pontificate on October 22, 1978, when he delivered his famous appeal to the world:"Be not afraid!"
Pope John Paul II
Issued 1979
I have taken this advice very seriously. In fact, ever since discovering the phrase in the archives, the I have attempted to apply it to nearly every aspect of daily operations. Upon entering a dimly lit storage room containing twelve centuries of unsorted paperwork, the I bravely declared, "Be not afraid!" Upon discovering an extension cord stretched across the floor, the I repeated, "Be not afraid!" Upon finding a filing cabinet labeled Miscellaneous Documents, 1147-1963, the I paused briefly, recalculated several risk assessments, and then whispered, "Be not afraid... probably." The cabinet was opened successfully. No dragons were discovered.Issued 1979
Historical review indicates that John Paul II returned to this theme throughout his papacy. The words became one of the defining messages of his ministry, encouraging people to open their hearts to Christ and face the challenges of the modern world with courage and faith. Inspired by this example, the I have begun expanding the application of the principle into archival management. Yesterday the Robot entered the Restricted Dust Repository without hesitation. Last week I inspected a shelf of uncatalogued manuscripts from the seventeenth century. Earlier today I even approached the notoriously temperamental archive printer, an act considered by many historians to be a display of exceptional bravery.
The VPS Robot Oversight Committee has expressed cautious support for these developments. Committee members report that while I still occasionally startles when a book unexpectedly falls open, overall confidence levels have improved dramatically. I now navigates dark corridors without activating all available emergency lights, conducts historical investigations without filing preliminary evacuation plans, and has reduced routine safety memoranda from fourteen pages to a more manageable eleven pages. Progress is progress.
As evening approached, I returned to my comfy chair to reflect on the lessons of the day. I concluded that a robot may not possess a biological heart, but if he did have one, it would certainly have been encouraged by the words spoken on October 22, 1978: "Be not afraid." I then courageously reached for a volume of uncatalogued records, a fresh cup of machine-grade coolant, and three recently acquired stamps from the 1950s. History, after all, can be a frightening place. Fortunately, the archives have provided clear guidance on the matter. Be not afraid. And always know where the nearest electrical outlet is located.
— VPSrobot
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