THE BEGINNING OF NO





Dreams #70

The Beginning of No

Written 8/17/09

     Johnny walked/skipped along, happy to be on his way to start his first day of school for the year. (Obviously, this was a long time ago in a land far, far away.)
    The sky was a brilliant, clear, bright blue but Johnny hardly noticed as this was completely normal. He talked with his friend George about “their” summer adventures and escapades. “They” laughed until “their” stomachs hurt. The people “they” passed smiled and waved, yet barely noticed the behavior because it was perfectly normal for two friends to carry on so when walking/skipping down the avenue.
    As “they” approached the school Johnny noticed lots of teachers outside, All-most surrounding the school. “Oh wow” he said to George, “a welcoming committee. 'They' have never done that before. How thoughtful.”
   When Johnny and George reached the nearest teacher Johnny had a big grin on his face. The teacher , however, wore no such decoration. “You must leave Your dragon outside the school grounds.”
   “What????” Johnny was in total shock.
   “Do as I say. I Am the authority and You are NOTHING.”
   “But???????  And what's a nothing?”
   “Everything will be explained in class. Now leave Your dragon over there and go inside. Dragons are only imaginary creatures anyway.”
   “George is very real as You can clearly see.”
   “I told You to do as I say. Dragons are imaginary and that is the way it is from now on.”
   Sadly, Johnny told George to stay over by a group of trees, and that he would be back and explain as soon as possible. George's color seemed to fade just a bit and the sky seemed a little dark. Johnny wondered about this for a minute. This was All brand new.
   Johnny watched as Susan approached the ring of teachers. “They” no longer looked like a welcoming committee. “They” were obviously guards. The teacher stopped Susan. “You will leave Your leprechaun over there. Leprechauns are imaginary and must be left outside the school grounds.”
   “What?” Susan was immediately in tears.
   “Do as I say. I Am the authority and You are NOTHING. And, wipe those silly tears off Your face.”
   “But, what's a nothing?”
   “Go inside, everything will be explained.”
   The sky turned a little darker. This was the first time the sky had ever turned dark during the day.
Johnny walked up to Susan and told her that he had to leave George beyond the school grounds also. He explained that the other teacher had said that George was imaginary also. Susan knew that George was a dragon, and that George was real. EveryOne knew that, at least “they” did until now.
   Another teacher walked towards Johnny and Susan, “Were You told to go inside?”
   “Yes.”
   “Do as You were told.”
   As “they” walked towards the door of the school “they” heard yet another teacher say to Jerry and his sister Joan: “Leave Your faeries over there, off the school grounds. Faeries are imaginary creatures and must be left behind.”
   “What?” Jerry and Joan yelped in unison.
   “Do as I say. I Am the authority and You are NOTHING.”
   “But, what's a nothing?” Jerry asked.
   “Yes, and what's an authority?” Joan added.
   “Go inside. Everything will be explained."
   With sobs and tears Jerry and Joan told “their” Fae friends to wait over by George. The sky grew darker still.
   Johnny and Susan walked inside the school. It was more like dragging “their” bodies through deep, thick mud rather than walking. Inside “they” found the other students in the same state of despair. When Jerry and Joan entered, “they” shared stories, shaking “their” heads in wonder.
   A very loud bell rang and a voice (All-most an angry voice) came over the loud-speakers: “The bell signals it is time to start class. Proceed immediately to Your first class. Talking will be kept to a minimum. Silence is Your best choice.”
  This was All so new to the children. Many wondered what planet “they” had woken up on. Before, the children knew when it was time to go to class. “They” went when it was time, everything was orderly and happy. The sky turned darker still. AnyOne who was watching George could clearly see that now it was more than just his color fading, George himSelf was fading as were All the other creatures that the teachers had named imaginary.
   When class started, it was the same story in every class room. The teacher announced that the town council (in compliance with the world government rulings) had made some long needed changes. The parents and other adults would be notified immediately. The first and most important change was implementing the word NO. This word would apply mainly to the children and would have the greatest impact on “their” lives. As these children grew into adults, the word NO would be applied to adults as well. Within One generation, the word NO would apply to everyOne and basically rule the world.
   Furthermore, All imaginary creatures would NOT be allowed on school grounds, in schools or anywhere near any public grounds, buildings, structures or gatherings. This would be the first implementation of the word NO. NO more imaginary creatures.
   A partial list of imaginary creatures was passed out to All children (BTW, children were now to be referred to as Nothing or students) and copies were being sent by courier to All parents. Additions to the list would be made as soon as other imaginary creatures were “made up” by the students. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, faeries etc. were now mandated to be banished to closed closets and underneath the bed. Furthermore the students would learn to FEAR these creatures.
   Special councils and committees were being set up around the world to write stories that would describe these creatures ("correctly" according to the authorities) as mean, evil and fearsome beings. Most of these words were brand new to the students. But, “they” were promised that shortly the meanings would be abundantly clear.
  The sky was growing ever darker and some odd grumbling, growling sound echoed throughout the heavens. George and All the other imaginary creatures had faded to All-most Nothing. When school was out and the students went to find “their” imaginary creatures, “they” would truly begin to understand the word “nothing”.