They spent another afternoon together, discussing philosophy and the struggles of student life. But Maxine couldn't get the thought of that strange feeling out of her head.

Later on she had her first class with Thomas, a class about Storytelling. "So, as many of you probably know, today we'll be talking about stories, the stories we tell and the stories we read," Thomas said, pacing back and forth in front of the blackboard. 

"And, more importantly, how stories shape our world and shape our thinking. Who gets to tell a story is often as important as the story itself because it tells us a lot about the society in which we live and how we view the world around us. Telling a story is not only an act of creativity, it's also an act of power because it shapes the way we think, feel, and behave. It is through stories that we make sense of our world and find meaning in our lives."

"Stories give us a framework for understanding our own experiences and understanding others' experiences. Stories can be used to teach us lessons, to challenge our preconceptions, and to help us better understand our place in the universe."

"What is fiction?"

The discussion in the classroom quickly grew heated as students and the professor debated the nature of story, the power of storytelling, and the moral implications of both.

"So, the question we should ask is: are there always ethical dimensions to story? Can we ever tell a story without doing harm, or even exploiting others? Or, as a culture, are we simply willing to sacrifice a little morality to tell great stories?" Thomas asked, addressing the classroom in a serious tone.

Some students nodded in agreement while others shrugged and shook their heads. The room filled with murmurs as the students debated the topic.

"Well, I think that art is an inherently human activity and that the freedom to create is the most fundamental right that any person should have, regardless of their origin or circumstances. And when it comes to storytelling, I believe that we can use art as a platform for discussing difficult and controversial topics because stories have always been a part of our culture and have always reflected and informed who we are," Thomas said.

The room went silent as the students pondered the statement. Some looked thoughtful while others looked annoyed, but everyone was listening intently.

"So, art can both teach and challenge, but it also has to be allowed to exist free from censorship and restriction. Because, while we may not always like the stories that we encounter, we need to be able to engage with them and learn from them and, ultimately, decide for ourselves what we believe and how we interpret the stories that are told," Thomas concluded.

Raphael was a friend of Maxine and a contrarian. He wasn't liking the class. "But, Professor, I don't agree with you. Art is a reflection of the artist's inner state, and if the artist is an immoral person, then his or her art will be immoral, too. So, no matter how clever or beautiful the story is, if it promotes dishonesty or immorality, then it should be banned," Raphael argued, raising his hand.