Katya stepped out onto the balcony. The sun had risen and had not yet dispersed the mists coming from the lake. The world was still silent save for the sounds of the forest. Taking a deep oxygen-filled breath, she knew she had made the right decision to come and populate this world.
“We are like the colonialists of the Old World who ventured out to the Africa of Earth: stepping out into the unknown; willing to explore and face new dangers; being the first to settle in a new land and tame it.”
Admiring the beauty of the trees, the colour and agility of the tiger-like creature in the distance, Katya did not wonder whether colonialism may have been the start of a journey that had led to Earth’s current status: an Earth that had been ripped apart by man’s desire for more minerals; an environment that had suffered devastation in humanity’s desire, not only to tame, but also to exploit what Nature gave freely; a world in which children had never experienced the fresh, running water of a stream, or the rustling of trees in a flower-laden meadow.
A new world and a new beginning awaited. Would the colonists ravage the land as their ancestors had done to Earth? Or would they learn from history and choose a different path?
Which path do you think the settlers on this life-giving land will take?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2012
(Join Kellie Elmore every Friday to free write a response to a quote, poem, image or thought that she has posted. Free write means you pay no attention to editing, your imagination runs free, and you stop only when you are trying too hard to complete a thought.)
I would like to think that they would learn from what their past and their history. A new hope , a rare chance is given to them. I wish they will turn it into a better, brighter world. An ideal world. Beautiful post!
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That is what I would wish for too. This new world would be a chance for them to redeem themselves and to look after what has been given to them.
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Well done Colline! I see we both participated in the challenge 🙂 I like the way you end with thought-provoking questions. I am going to follow your blog so I can read more of your creative work.
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This is the first time I entered this challenge – before I have read entries but this week I decided to take the plunge! I know that I enjoyed reading your response this week.
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Of course, I would hope that they would learn from the past and use the opportunity to make change and a fresh start. Sad thing is in reality, we all have our hand in killing the earth and it’s resources and will never be able to get it back. I love this story and I am so pleased to have it included in FWF! Thanks for writing with us! Please, come again soon.
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I enjoyed the free writing exercise – and I am sure to be back 🙂
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Mmmm, makes me think of what human beings can do to get hold of this beautiful free place.
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Maybe a bit of a Star Trek voyage to another planet that is able to sustain life similar to what we have on earth …. that is just the science fiction fan in me talking 🙂
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Hmmm. Well if the new colonialists are like the old colonialists, then maybe history will repeat itself. If the new colonialists plan to learn from those first peoples of the land and share what they know in return, a new future can begin where the rich resources of the earth are considered .If they plan to care for all the creatures inhabiting it and the entire ecosystem, taking only what they need and allowing for replenishment…then maybe it might work out okay.
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I guess a lot would depend on whether the new colonialists had learned the history of the Old World – and whether they had realised that Earth’s status was caused by the culmination of humanity’s actions.
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Hi,
I really liked your story, very well thought out, and fits the picture perfectly, a New World, I love the idea. 😀
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Thank you Mags. And the story – it just seemed to flow from my pen (yes, I wrote it the old-fashioned way!) as a description of a New World.
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I hope they would learn from humanity’s past mistakes, however, I’m a bit cynical about that!
Great story intro!
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In a way I am too – there is always a group of people that will be the exploiters and try to find ways in which they can benefit from a situation.
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Great write Colline. Love to see where you would go further with this one.
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Thank you Jo. It almost reads as the beginning of a story doesn’t it 🙂
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It does Colline.
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Excellent story Colline. My wish is that they take the path of compassionate living but we know what history has taught us… 🙂
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You are so right – that mankind continues to make the same mistakes. We can only hope that they would not if the destruction of Earth served as a grim reminder.
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It would be nice that they would learn from the past, but it only takes a couple of people who think that they can do it all again, but “differently” and then it does all happen again. I think humans are too selfish. It is a lovely thought.
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As you say, it only takes a few. And once these people are in a position of power or authority, then that is when good intentions begin to change. One could only hope, though, that the majority of people would remember the history and hold them in check.
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Yes, we could hope that would happen.
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Very nice. I got a poem and story out of this. Will finish it tonight and share tomorrow or Wednesday Lord willing. Great job
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Look forward to reading your attempt 🙂
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Finally 🙂 http://boomiebol.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/magical-land/
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Loved reading both attempts – though I am partial to the short story 🙂
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