By Amara Nwachuku (Y8)
Once upon a time, there was a mountain, and on that mountain was a village called Green.
In Green lived numerous families, each with their own number. Emily’s household was number 30, the poorest family there was, and she was special. You see, all, from the moment they are born, are told their favourite colour is green: green for nature, green for health, and green for life.
They are also taught to play all or no musical instruments and sports so that they do not develop a preference. They are all given a job when they’ve matured sufficiently and receive different incomes. They put down all those born with special needs, like extra medical services, learning support, people in need of special technology because of the way they were born, and even second children.
Emily, though, had a grandma who taught her to see past it. To see a world with personalities with preferences. Therefore, Emily became fond of the colour blue. And preferred the piano to other instruments.
Emily had had a little sister, but she got executed because she was the second child. She had gotten very familiar with her baby sister’s presence and considered the fact that she enjoyed her little sister. Forbidden.
So when her parents had a third child. She took him. Protected him in the safety and privacy of her room, away from the public’s sneaky gaze. She’d told her parents he’d already died: too weak to survive. And they never suspected.
But when one afternoon someone found out, she took her brother and every other second child who was going to be executed and ran. She ran far, far away. Down to the ocean, where she could stare at her favourite colour all day and think of her dead little sister’s blue eyes. She built a population of her own, and they all developed their personalities and sprouted as individuals.
Inspired by the movie ‘The Giver’.