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The Land of Opposites
THE LAND OF OPPOSITES
by Kat
Within the Land of Opposites was a kingdom called Humanity. Humanity was the favorite playground for Real and Unreal. Real and Unreal were friends, but their friendship was plagued with problems. Real couldn't be untrue or false with anyone but Unreal was often false with others and enjoyed causing problems. When they were in Humanity, they had great adventures but they often left their playground in ruins. She didn't realize it, but sometimes Humanity was ashamed she knew Real and Unreal. She had no knowledge of other lands where, perhaps, things would be better and she would not be subjected to the battles Real and Unreal wrought within her borders.
Real and Unreal also had many friends who liked to play with them - some would team up with Real and some would team up with Unreal - but they all seemed to lack concern for Humanity. They would play, or fight, or argue among themselves and leave Humanity in ruins. Often, when they had to leave Humanity to go to other kingdoms in the Land of Opposites, Humanity hoped they would never return. She knew she would feel empty, but empty might be a good feeling to have compared with the chaos she often felt now. She sometimes wondered if being empty felt like death.
Things got very confusing for Humanity when she was a very young kingdom. She never actually understood why she was created in the Land of Opposites. There seemed to be plenty of other kingdoms already in this land and she didn't understand why she was needed. As time went on and her borders were enlarged, Humanity knew she should be happy that she was chosen to be a kingdom and that she wasn't being ignored like some of the other kingdoms. Somehow, however, she felt that her choosing and her expansion served only the needs of others and had nothing to do with her at all.
Humanity tried in the beginning to recognize those who visited her or lived within her, but after Real and Unreal discovered her, she knew her efforts to become acquainted with her occupants were futile. Why she couldn't tell the difference between Bad and Good, Sad and Happy, Right and Wrong. Even Darkness and Light appeared to be the same to her. Smile and Frown were frequent visitors, but when they teamed up with Real and Unreal, things got so confusing Humanity felt exhausted even attempting to tell them apart. Often she thought Smile was present, but then, standing just behind Smile was Unreal, so she knew the Smile was really Frown.
Eventually, the only thing Humanity wanted was to be left alone. If all these visitors and occupants would simply leave her she felt she might be okay. Emptiness seemed more desirable than her present confusion. Even if emptiness meant death, death didn't frighten her. After all, she had long ago realized that Real and Unreal were elements of great confusion and she had long ago abandoned any attempt or effort to know the difference. Perhaps, she thought, death was really life. Already, she knew that life could feel like death.
This confusion lasted for many, many years. Hopelessness moved in and made its home in Humanity along with Rejection, Despair, and other elements of Gloom and Darkness. Soon no one wanted to live in Humanity or even visit her.
One day a Stranger from a distant land dared to visit Humanity after hearing of her sadness. This Stranger knew that Humanity had been a land filled with deceit and fear. Of all the kingdoms in the Land of Opposites, Humanity had been chosen as the playground for Real and Unreal by those who did not have her best interests at heart.
This kind Stranger set about teaching in the kingdom of Humanity. He taught Humanity how to tell the difference between Real and Unreal. Once Humanity learned to do this, she could also distinguish between the friends and companions of Real and Unreal. The Stranger also helped her to understand that it was okay if she made mistakes at times. Humanity had always believed that if she made a mistake she was that mistake. Also, Humanity's knowledge that she was created to fulfill the needs of others, even if those needs were dark and hateful and painful, no longer had to rule her actions and feelings.
Humanity was very grateful for all the Stranger taught her. Even though there were still difficult times, when Real and Unreal or some of their companions wanted to play in Humanity or even to live there, she made it clear to them that she was in charge and they could only visit or live in her if they acted according to her rules and respected her as their home or playground.
All of this new knowledge and responsibility was very new to Humanity and she didn't always learn it easily. At times, she still wanted to be just an empty kingdom and be free of all the decisions and turmoil. At other times, she felt very crowded and overwhelmed by her new knowledge and didn't want to be bothered with the responsibility that was now hers.
The Stranger understood her turmoil and her frustration and assured her that in time, as she learned patience with herself, she would be happy to be a kingdom and that she could be an instructive and wholesome kingdom for all who entered or dwelt within her borders.
Although time seemed to pass very slowly, the day did come when the kingdom of Humanity became known throughout the Land of Opposites as a lovely and stable place. Many went there to live or visit and all were treated fairly and compassionately. Humanity was able to learn from everyone, but the Stranger remained her teacher and was given a place of honor and esteem. He lived in her midst and was there whenever she needed Him. No longer did she desire to be empty. She was now able to control her own border and boundaries and knew that some day, perhaps she too could travel to other kingdoms and still remain herself, the kingdom of Humanity.
THE END
© Copyright 2007 Kat (UN: katkola at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved.
Kat has granted InkSpot.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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