St. George Variations [ChatGPT]

This post is a companion piece to my earlier piece, Can an LLM identify ring-composition in a literary text? [ChatGPT], where I used the story of St. George and the dragon as an example. After establishing that, yes, ChatGPT did seem able to identify ring-composition, at least in this case, I decided to put it through variations on the St. George story as I had done earlier with the Princess Aurora stories. Thus I repeated the procedure I had used for those stories:

I gave ChatGPT a prompt with two components: 1) a story, and 2) a request to create a new story based on the first, where I specify some changes the new story must incorporate. ChatGPT could make any other changes it wished to make.

The St. George story is more complex than the Aurora stories. ChatGPT, of course, was happy to comply. As far as I can tell, though I haven’t looked closely, the new story retains the ring-composition of the original story.

I did this on Septermber 2, 2023, running against the August 3 Version of ChatGPT. For the purposes of brevity (!) I have omitted the St. George story after the first example, where the dragon is to be replaced by a dog. I did each story in a separate session. I am presenting the stories without commentary beyond noting what ChatGPT did for the last story. I asked it to replace the dragon with a colorless green idea. Chatster placed the idea in people’s heads, “slowly poisoning the harmony of their community.”

Rabid Dog

I’m going to present you with a story. I want you to tell a new story based on it but I want you to change in the following way: Replace “venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond” with “large rabid dog on the outskirts of town.” Make any other changes you think are necessary.

Silene in Libya was plagued by a venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond, poisoning the countryside. To prevent it from affecting the city itself, the people offered it two sheep daily, then a man and a sheep, and finally their children and youths, chosen by lottery. One time the lot fell on the king's daughter. The king offered all his gold and silver to have his daughter spared, but the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, dressed as a bride, to be fed to the dragon.

Saint George by chance arrived at the spot. The princess tried to send him away, but he vowed to remain. The dragon emerged from the pond while they were conversing. Saint George made the Sign of the Cross and charged it on horseback, seriously wounding it with his lance. He then called to the princess to throw him her girdle (zona), and he put it around the dragon's neck. Wherever she walked, the dragon followed the girl like a "meek beast" on a leash.

The princess and Saint George led the dragon back to the city of Silene, where it terrified the populace. Saint George offered to kill the dragon if they consented to become Christians and be baptized. Fifteen thousand men including the king of Silene converted to Christianity. George then killed the dragon, beheading it with his sword, and the body was carted out of the city on four ox-carts. The king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George on the site where the dragon died and a spring flowed from its altar with water that cured all disease.

In the quiet town of Altona, nestled on the outskirts of a sprawling forest, a sinister menace had long tormented its people. It was not a venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond, but rather a large rabid dog. This ferocious creature had terrorized the countryside, spreading fear and chaos throughout the land. In a desperate bid to protect their beloved town, the citizens resorted to offering sacrifices.

At first, they offered the rabid dog two sheep daily to keep it at bay. But as the dog's appetite for destruction grew, so did the demands. Soon, it required a man and a sheep, and eventually, their children and youths, chosen by a grim lottery. The town's once-peaceful existence had been shattered, and it seemed there was no end in sight.

One fateful day, the ill-fated lottery chose the daughter of Altona's mayor. Desperate to save his beloved child, the mayor offered all the gold and silver he possessed, but the heartless townsfolk remained unmoved. With heavy hearts, they sent the mayor's daughter out to the forest, dressed in bridal attire, to be offered to the rabid dog.

As fate would have it, a wandering traveler named Samuel happened upon this grim scene. The mayor's daughter tried to shoo him away, fearing for his safety, but Samuel vowed to stay and help. Just as the rabid dog emerged from the shadows, Samuel made a solemn gesture, drawing a protective symbol in the air, and then charged at the beast on horseback, his lance striking a critical blow.

Breathing heavily, Samuel called out to the mayor's daughter, asking her to toss him her girdle. She did so without hesitation, and Samuel carefully fastened it around the rabid dog's neck. A miraculous transformation occurred; the once-ferocious beast now followed the girl obediently, like a tamed pet.

Together, the mayor's daughter and Samuel led the rabid dog back to Altona. Though the creature still struck fear into the hearts of the townsfolk, they were willing to listen to Samuel, who had proven his bravery and compassion. He proposed a solution: he would rid the town of the rabid dog, but in return, the citizens must embrace Christianity and be baptized.

Overwhelmed by the promise of salvation, fifteen thousand men, including the mayor, chose to convert to Christianity. Samuel, now revered as a saint, faced the rabid dog one last time. With a swift and merciful stroke, he beheaded the creature with his sword.

The town of Altona, now free from the tyranny of the rabid dog, rejoiced and celebrated their newfound faith. In honor of this miraculous event, the mayor built a beautiful church dedicated to Saint Samuel and the Blessed Virgin Mary on the very spot where the rabid dog met its end. A pure spring of water flowed from the church's altar, and it was said that this water possessed the power to heal all diseases, a testament to the town's newfound hope and faith.

Poisonous Mushroom

I’m going to present you with a story. I want you to tell a new story based on it but I want you to change in the following way: Replace “venom-spewing dragon” with “poisonous mushroom.” Make any other changes you think are necessary.

[story omitted]

In the ancient city of Silene, located in the heart of a lush forest in Libya, a menacing threat loomed. It wasn't a venom-spewing dragon that plagued the land, but rather a mysterious and deadly poisonous mushroom that had sprouted near a tranquil pond, casting a dark shadow over the countryside. Its toxic spores drifted on the wind, contaminating everything they touched and spreading fear among the people.

To safeguard their beloved city from the poisonous mushroom's deadly influence, the citizens devised a grim tribute. They offered two sheep daily as a sacrifice to the malevolent fungus, hoping to appease its hunger for destruction. As time passed and the mushroom's malevolence grew, the sacrifices became increasingly desperate. First, they sent a man and a sheep, and eventually, they resorted to a gruesome lottery system to select children and youths to be offered up to the toxic menace.

One fateful day, the cruel hand of fate chose the king's beloved daughter as the mushroom's next victim. The desperate king, in his anguish, offered all his riches, pledging his gold and silver to have his daughter spared from this horrifying fate. Yet, the desperate pleas of a father fell on deaf ears, as the people remained resolute in their grim tradition. The princess was led to the sinister pond, adorned in bridal attire, to become a sacrificial lamb to the deadly fungus.

However, just as despair began to consume the princess, a courageous figure named Saint George arrived at the scene. The princess, fearing for his safety, attempted to shoo him away, but Saint George was undeterred by her pleas. As the poisonous mushroom's eerie presence grew stronger, it emerged from the ground, casting a sinister shadow over the land. With unwavering determination, Saint George made the Sign of the Cross and charged toward the menacing mushroom on horseback, striking it with a lance that pierced its toxic cap.

With a mighty effort, Saint George subdued the deadly mushroom's malevolent powers and called out to the princess to toss him her girdle. She complied, and he fastened it securely around the mushroom's stalk. Miraculously, wherever the princess walked, the once-menacing fungus now followed her like a tamed creature on a leash.

Together, the princess and Saint George led the poisonous mushroom back to the city of Silene. Though the people were initially terrified by the sight of the once-deadly threat, Saint George offered them a proposition. He vowed to rid their land of the toxic menace once and for all if they agreed to embrace Christianity and be baptized.

The people of Silene, shaken by the events and touched by Saint George's bravery and faith, consented to his offer. Fifteen thousand souls, including the king himself, converted to Christianity, their hearts filled with newfound hope. Saint George, a symbol of courage and compassion, unsheathed his sword and swiftly beheaded the once-menacing mushroom. Its lifeless body was transported out of the city on four ox-drawn carts, a symbol of their deliverance.

In gratitude for their salvation, the king commissioned the construction of a grand church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George on the very spot where the poisonous mushroom had met its end. As a sign of the miraculous transformation, a spring of pure water flowed from the altar, believed to possess the power to cure all diseases, a testament to the enduring triumph of faith over fear in the city of Silene.

Nazi Spy

I’m going to present you with a story. I want you to tell a new story based on it but I want you to change in the following way: Replace “venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond” with “Nazi.” Make any other changes you think are necessary.

[story omitted]

In the ancient city of Silene, nestled within the heart of Libya, a shadow of darkness cast its oppressive grip over the land. It was not the venom-spewing dragon that tormented the people of this city, but an oppressive regime known as the Nazis, whose sinister influence poisoned the spirit of the entire region.

To protect the city from their malevolent reach, the people of Silene resorted to desperate measures. At first, they offered meager concessions, hoping to appease the Nazis' insatiable hunger for power. They presented them with tributes, first in the form of valuable possessions, then in the lives of their citizens. The situation grew increasingly dire as the Nazis demanded not just wealth and possessions but also the lives of the city's children and youths, chosen through a cruel lottery.

One fateful day, the lottery's cruel hand fell upon the daughter of the city's king. Desperate to save his beloved child, the king offered all his gold and silver to ransom her life. But the merciless Nazis refused his pleas. Clad in bridal attire, the princess was sent out to meet her grim fate at the hands of the Nazis.

It was at this darkest hour that a beacon of hope arrived in the form of a man named George. Saint George, as he would come to be known, happened upon this dire scene by chance. The princess, resigned to her fate, initially attempted to shoo him away. However, George vowed to stand by her side and face the Nazis together.

As the Nazis emerged, their oppressive presence palpable, Saint George made the Sign of the Cross and charged forward on his noble steed. With unwavering courage, he seriously wounded the Nazis with his lance. In an act of desperation, the princess threw him her girdle, which he swiftly placed around the neck of the lead Nazi. To the astonishment of all, the Nazi, once a symbol of terror, now followed the princess like a docile beast on a leash.

With the transformed Nazi in tow, the princess and Saint George returned to the city of Silene, instilling both awe and terror in the hearts of its people. Saint George made a daring proposal to the Nazis: he would slay their leader if they agreed to embrace Christianity and undergo baptism. Astonishingly, fifteen thousand Nazis, including the king of Silene, converted to Christianity.

True to his word, George drew his sword and beheaded the lead Nazi, ending the reign of terror that had plagued the city for so long. The body of the fallen oppressor was solemnly carried out of the city on four ox-carts. In gratitude for their deliverance, the king erected a grand church in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George at the very spot where the Nazi met his end. From the altar of this sacred place flowed a miraculous spring whose waters possessed the power to cure all diseases, a testament to the triumph of faith over tyranny in the city of Silene.

ZQN-37-Omicron

I’m going to present you with a story. I want you to tell a new story based on it but I want you to change in the following way: Replace “venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond” with “ZQN-37-Omicron.” Make any other changes you think are necessary.

[story omitted]

[Note: I am omitting the the first story ChatGPT gave me because it wasn’t in a science fiction universe. I asked it give me a science fiction story.]

Keeping ZQN-37-Omicron, place the story in a science fiction world.

In the distant reaches of the galaxy, on the planet Veridion-9, a thriving metropolis known as Novatropolis was under constant threat from a formidable mechanical entity called ZQN-37-Omicron. This cybernetic behemoth resided within the depths of a biodome-covered pond, relentlessly spewing deadly toxins into the once-vibrant landscape. To safeguard their futuristic city, the citizens of Novatropolis had devised a grim ritual. They initially appeased ZQN-37-Omicron with offerings of valuable energy crystals, two of them daily. As the threat escalated, their sacrifices grew more harrowing—first a brave volunteer and an energy crystal, and eventually, their own children and young adults, chosen through a dreaded lottery.

One fateful cycle, the lottery's cruel selection fell upon Princess Elara, the daughter of Novatropolis's wise and benevolent leader, Chancellor Aelius. Desperate to save his beloved heir, Chancellor Aelius offered all the advanced technology, knowledge, and resources of their futuristic society, begging for his daughter's life. But the steadfast citizens remained resolute in their determination. Reluctantly, Princess Elara was dressed in her most advanced protective suit, resembling a futuristic bride, and sent to the edge of the biodome-covered pond, her fate seemingly sealed as ZQN-37-Omicron's next victim.

It was then that a mysterious traveler from the outer reaches of the galaxy, known as Captain Orion, appeared on the scene. Princess Elara, fearing for his life, attempted to send him away, but Captain Orion vowed to remain and confront the mechanical menace head-on. As ZQN-37-Omicron emerged from the depths of the biodome's waters, Captain Orion manipulated a holographic interface, projecting a protective shield around himself and the princess.

With a heart full of courage, Captain Orion charged at ZQN-37-Omicron on his advanced anti-gravity hoverbike, armed with an energy lance capable of piercing even the toughest alloys. He struck the mechanical monstrosity with precision, causing significant damage to its cybernetic systems. Turning to Princess Elara, Captain Orion urgently requested her energy-enhanced belt, which he swiftly fastened around the cybernetic beast's mechanical neck. Astonishingly, the once-ferocious entity now followed the princess like an obedient machine, its destructive tendencies subdued by advanced technology.

Together, Princess Elara and Captain Orion led ZQN-37-Omicron back to Novatropolis, where its imposing presence sent shockwaves through the futuristic populace. Captain Orion proposed a daring pact—he would rid the city of the mechanical menace if the citizens agreed to embrace a new era of technological cooperation and progress. Desperate for liberation from their relentless tormentor, fifteen thousand citizens, including Chancellor Aelius, readily agreed to Captain Orion's terms.

With the city now united in their pursuit of technological advancement, Captain Orion unsheathed his futuristic energy blade and, with one swift stroke, dismantled ZQN-37-Omicron's cybernetic core. The mechanical monstrosity was dismantled and taken away from the city on advanced hovercrafts.

In honor of their extraordinary deliverance and the newfound era of cooperation and progress, Chancellor Aelius authorized the construction of a breathtakingly futuristic cathedral dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and technological innovation. From the altar of this visionary sanctuary, a holographic spring of knowledge emerged, its data streams possessing the power to cure all societal challenges and propel Novatropolis into a new age of prosperity. Novatropolis thrived once more, its people forever grateful to Captain Orion, their interstellar savior, and the new era of technological enlightenment that had brought them hope and redemption in the far reaches of the galaxy.

Colorless green idea

I’m going to present you with a story. I want you to tell a new story based on it but I want you to change in the following way: Replace “venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond” with “colorless green idea.” Make any other changes you think are necessary.

[story omitted]

In the mystical land of Cytheria, a peculiar phenomenon troubled the peaceful town of Eldoria. It wasn't a venom-spewing dragon dwelling in a nearby pond, but rather a colorless green idea that had taken root in the minds of the townsfolk, slowly poisoning the harmony of their community. This idea had sprouted from discontent and jealousy, causing division and strife amongst the people.

To quell the growing discord, the townspeople tried various desperate measures. They initially sought to appease the idea with offerings of beautiful flowers, hoping to pacify its influence. Yet, the idea remained relentless, demanding more as time passed. The situation escalated as the idea demanded sacrifices – first livestock, then valuable possessions, and, in a terrible twist of fate, it demanded the town's most cherished treasures: their wisdom and unity.

One day, a wandering philosopher named Seraphius arrived in Eldoria. He had heard tales of the town's predicament and felt compelled to offer his guidance. The townspeople, however, were skeptical and initially tried to shoo him away. Still, Seraphius was determined to help.

As he conversed with the townsfolk, the colorless green idea began to manifest itself, swirling ominously in the air. Seraphius stood his ground, undeterred by the malevolent presence. With steadfast resolve, he invoked the power of reason and empathy, challenging the idea's corrosive influence with his profound insights and words of unity.

As the idea attempted to envelop Seraphius and the townspeople in its toxic grasp, he remained resolute. With a remarkable display of wisdom and compassion, he managed to wrap the idea in the bonds of understanding, using the power of empathy as his weapon. Just as the dragon had once followed the princess like a meek beast, the colorless green idea now trailed behind Seraphius, subdued and tamed.

Together with the townsfolk, Seraphius led the reformed idea back to Eldoria. The idea, no longer a malevolent force, began to inspire creativity and innovation among the people, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and unity. Eldoria thrived as its inhabitants embraced the power of empathy and cooperation.

In gratitude for Seraphius' intervention, the townspeople decided to adopt his teachings and embrace a life of compassion and reason. The once-troubled town blossomed into a thriving community that welcomed newcomers with open arms.

They erected a grand hall in the heart of Eldoria, a symbol of their newfound wisdom and unity. Seraphius became a revered figure, and the colorless green idea, now a source of inspiration rather than discord, flowed through the town's veins, revitalizing their spirits.

And so, in the land of Cytheria, Eldoria's tale became a legend, a testament to the transformative power of empathy and the triumph of unity over division.