The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
The World
I can see the whole world from up here.
I can see all the green land and all the blue water that goes right round it.
The Leader says this is what god made for us, so we are special.
He says god made us too, and no others.
He also says that god told him to be our Leader to teach us the truth.
We’re here to worship him because he is god’s voice on earth.
Everyone in the world has to obey him and follow his rules.
When my daddy asked questions, he went away and didn’t come back.
That made mummy unhappy, so then she went away too.
The Leader says they’ve gone to heaven so god can teach them the truth.
If anyone else doesn’t believe what The Leader says, then they’ll go to heaven too.
When they’ve learnt the truth, they can come back here.
I hope mummy and daddy learn soon, because it’s lonely here without them.
But I’m not sure that I really believe they will, because I’m not sure that I believe The Leader any more.
He says that I’m young, that I’ll learn the truth in time.
Until then I have to stay in this high tower and read the words The Leader wrote for us.
These words tell about how god made only our world and only our people, because we are perfect.
I don’t think that’s true.
Because, far out at sea, I can see a big ship.
Pingback: Beloved Stranger – Tales from Glasgow
Hmm, another dystopian tale. What’s going on, I wonder?
Excellent. of course!
Bleak midwinter, maybe?
Cheers, Chris!
I am cheering for the young one. Hopefully, he will continue to question, wonder, and quietly find a way of escape. What a sad and chilling story of the terrible grip of indoctrination, excellently written and read. I enjoy listening to your stories!
I suspect the wee dude will need all the help he can get, Brenda!
Very happy you enjoy the readings.
Interesting how you and Jenne both used the term “Leader”.
Whatever’s going on here, I haven’t decided if it’s pleasant or ominous.
We had a surprisingly similar vibe, I agree!
A cult, Nancy.
Wow (in a really good way)
Thanks (in a really good way too!)
One need not be in a castle
One need not be in a shack
To repeat the child’s words
From many places they echo back
One need not be imprisoned
One need not be in chains
Anyone can be indoctrinated
By singing the hymn refrains
It’s no hassle
In the castle
You just float
In the moat
But clearly we
For once agree
Indoctrination
Is an abomination
I can almost hear this child speaking, so clearly have you written the voice.
And it’s such a human voice, strong against the detached and steady beat of indoctrination – ‘The Leader says’.
It’s a powerful story.
I wonder if there’s something in the Scottish psyche that causes similar reactions to grand castles…?😏
Education vs Indoctrination, the eternal struggle (which I think is being lost).
Pingback: Rules – Tales from Glasgow