You dared call them savages
The village was in a remote spot somewhere
on the globe. With exaggeration and lack of any scientific evidence, the locals
would believe it to be the centre of the universe. It was immensely beautified
by its eye-catching landscape, a teeming river, fruitful trees, leafy woods,
blossoming flowers, and the very noticeable green spaces that gave it a very
special touch. The view of it would let one utterly immersed in full admiration,
which would trigger full obliviousness of any adjacent motion.
The sound of the flying larks and their colourful wings made every moment carnivalesque, bringing assortments of natural bodies
all together in an amazing wild gathering. The nocturnal view was of no
exception, and once you moved your eyes upwards, in the blink of an eye you got
caught by the twinkling starts, a wow factor that would push every soul into
experiencing and savouring exceptional moments of euphoria, emancipating it
from all kinds of terrestrial links.
The inhabitants were very nice to each
other and living in a remarkable harmony that emanated from the simple
lifestyle they were leading. Their faces always shined with innocent and honest
smiles. The natural condition kept their
bodies in trim, for they were breathing fresh air and eating quality food.
Their houses were all alike with no scintilla of special embroidery, which
would have been understood as being divided based on social ranks. Everyone had
their daily intake, either by the fruit of one’s labour or as a handout once
your being physically challenged is proven. You wouldn’t be famished or
starved. That had never been included in this unique system nor even been able
to cross their minds.
The barefoot man, who frequently strolled
in modest clothes, was their leader. A look of an ordinary person who, by
definition, knew nothing about the corridors of power. The children always
gathered around him, craving for his warm hug, which was provided at once and without
being lost in dark paths of conceit and scorn. They were all equal and that had
been the prevailing belief since their coming into being; it had not been yet marred
by any contaminating spirits, for the geological shapes surrounding the village
were forming a shield that made the place apparently unreachable and impenetrable.
For centuries, they had met no outsiders.
The man was hiding behind the trees. With
cautiousness he was peering at the villagers to scan their moves and
countenances. When the man made a move backwards, he stepped on a sharp stone
that cut his sole. He produced a silent cry. It appeared the injury had healed
quickly, and the scar had left the skins under the effect of the shining metal.
His eyes didn’t believe it at all. He stepped on golden stones that were
coating the ground. The man made it back to the ship and whispered the salivary
news to his captain, who immediately called his right-hand man to have a
consultation on how to deal with the situation. The three agreed on a plan to
visit the place the following day, and of course in total secrecy.
At first light, the three woke up and moved
to their destination. It was only a matter of minutes before they reached the
village. They chose the best spot they could find from which they would observe
the place and its inhabitants.
Joe: Captain! This is it. As I told the golden stones are
everywhere.
The captain: I
am not blind.
Thomas (The captain’s right-hand man): You see captain! They
don’t have weapons, and they are defenceless.
The captain: I
am not blind.
Thomas: It’s an easy mission and we won’t have to fight to
take over the village.
Joe: I couldn’t agree more. Besides, we are the lords,
and many armies fear us. We are the unbeatable warriors.
Thomas: Without a doubt, Joe. We made ourselves a name that
once uttered, our enemies got goosebumps.
Joe: But now with this fortune we will rule
the entire world, and they are all going to be dancing to our tune.
Thomas: All we need now is the say-so of our honourable captain. Our men are already set up for exterminating
these savages.
After remaining silent all this time, while
his men exchanging words, the captain turned his eyes towards Thomas, showing an
angry face, because what had just heard made his blood boil.
With no hesitation, he slapped his man on
the face with all the force he could produce.
The captain:
You called them savages, you moron. Now I realise that I have been surrounded all these
years long by the most stupid men I’ve ever known. Since you started this petty
discussion, I have been studying these people carefully. I’ve noticed things
you silly can never see. Your minds, your hearts, and your eyes are really
beclouded by years of savagism.
Thomas: Captain! What are you talking about?
The captain: You
see, these creatures over there are the purest souls existing on the earth.
Joe: What do you mean, captain?
The captain:
The truth is that they completely differ from us in every aspect. You see that
man over there, who is walking without bodyguards, he is their leader.
Thomas: What makes you believe so?
The captain:
A flow of villagers and their kids has been coming to him, to show respect and
admiration, and to exchange smiles. They are not afraid of him. In fact, they
all love each other, which makes this place of a very special and unique
system. What’s more, they all have the same buildings and wear the same attire.
I am astonished at the fact that the man who controls everything accepts to
live in a modest cottage. Not like those of ours who, at the expense of the
poor, have accumulated an illegitimate wealth and let themselves enjoy the
large spaces of their heavenly palaces.
Thomas: You can build yours with the gold under our feet,
and for sure we will find out more and more treasures after we do away with
them.
The captain:
You dared call them savages while you know nothing about these pure souls. You
both have to know that we are the real savages. We have killed thousands
without even asking ourselves whether there were any victims among them.
Joe: These are the rules of war and glory.
The captain:
Though overseas warriors have terrible nightmares once they hear my name, I
won’t commit a hideous crime. I was born a devil to fight the devils. These are
the real rules of savagism I have immersed myself in for ages.
Thomas: Are you going to negotiate?
The captain: I
won’t subject them to the same faith that my hometown had to face, when
unprotected civilians, including my mother and my father, were mercilessly
dispatched. Since then I have stuck to my highest principles that my sword
won’t ever fight unarmed folks.
Thomas: What’s on your mind, captain?
The captain: I will to kill both of you. This secret must
be buried here and you are such untrustworthy devils.
Before they could run to save their skin,
the captain, with an adept movement with his sword, put an end to their lives,
and quickly found a place where to bury the two men. He then left the place for
good, tucking the secret away deep in his heart.
By Ismail KAMAL
