Let $n$ be a given integer greater than two, and let $S = \{1, 2,...,n\}$. Suppose the function $f : S^k \to S$ has the property that $f(a) \ne f(b)$ for every pair $a$ and $b$ of elements in $S^k$ with $a$ and $b$ differ in all components. Prove that $f$ is a function of one of its elements.