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The Wall, by Don Tassone

24/11/2018

 
There it stood, 30 feet tall, made of concrete and steel. It stretched in both directions as far as the eye could see. It was gray, of course, the color of despair.

They built it to keep the “bad guys” out. At least that’s what they said. But the real message was clear: we don’t want any of you here. You’re not welcome here.

At first, a few tried to scale it, but it was no use. It was a well designed wall. No one got through.

Soon, they stopped trying. But in the process, they stopped wanting to get to the other side—or to leave their homeland at all.

Unable to find a better life elsewhere, they began building a new society, with their own scientists, industrialists and artists. In time, they became a great society, and people from all over the world came there to live, work and trade.

Except the people who had built the wall. They were content to keep the new overachievers out and focus on themselves.

For a while, they continued to prosper. But as their population aged and shrank, they needed workers, and they put out a call for help.

But the people of the world ignored them. Most didn’t want to have anything to do with a society which puts itself first and builds a wall to keep others out except when it needs them.

The sons and daughters of those who had built the wall began to feel trapped by it, and they tore it down. But it was too late. They had become ostracized, even as they had ostracized others.

Generations later, the descendants of the wall builders once again became a part of the world, not because ugly memories had faded but because they themselves at last remembered who they were.
Kathy K.
25/11/2018 03:12:12 am

I love this story for its presentation of reality and of the hope that drives humans to a higher plateau.

Don Tassone link
25/11/2018 06:55:22 pm

Thanks, Kathy. Yes, it is not too late.

patti normile
25/11/2018 04:18:49 pm

Wisdom packed in a few words. Robert Frost also said it well, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall..."
Let's not forget the Berlin Wall, built to keep people in. That didn't work either.

Don Tassone link
25/11/2018 06:58:39 pm

Thank you, Patti. Yes, walls entrap all of us.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
26/11/2018 07:20:00 am

I love the way the story questions the policy of isolationism and vindicates the democratic ideal of equality, liberty, fraternity. Yes, it does remind us of Frost's famous poem '''Mending Wall.' Excellent, Don!

Don Tassone link
26/11/2018 12:28:53 pm

Thanks, Paritosh!


Comments are closed.

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