Wisdom and Intelligence

"You see, they use tools, live in groups, and communicate with one another."

The Collectors on the Earth-like planet pointed out why they had reached this conclusion, but not all Collectors accepted such criteria.

"They do not even wear clothes."

"But neither do we," the Collectors on the Earth-like planet retorted.

"..."

That rebuttal did have a flaw. If wearing clothes or not could determine whether a species possessed intelligence and wisdom, then the awakening that separated a race from nature as a whole would be far too easy to achieve.

After some discussion, the Collectors arrived at a standard for determining whether a species possessed intelligence and wisdom.

"Using tools does not count. At the very least, they must be capable of making tools and have a way to pass down knowledge. Only then can they be considered a qualified intelligent species. Only then can they form a civilization. Do they have those things?"

Wisdom represented the capacity to create. Conversely, only by demonstrating the ability to create could a species prove that it possessed wisdom and intelligence.

With wisdom and means of passing down knowledge to support it, civilization could naturally be built.

"Unknown. Let us observe them for a while longer."

On the surface of the Earth-like planet, within a dense forest of purple leaves, the four-legged creature under discussion by the Collectors sat atop a rock, tirelessly grinding something.

Every movement of the four-legged creature produced a raspy scraping sound. It was so noisy that no other animals of any kind could be found nearby; they had all been frightened away by the strange noises it made.

Even its own kind kept a certain distance from him, occasionally looking at him strangely.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

One of its kind approached the four-legged creature and gestured wildly