A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, in a place, too beautiful to behold, but not yet discovered, everyone lived in harmony and peace. It was a community where people said “hi” to their neighbors, reached out a hand to help someone in need, and performed all those little acts of kindness that make for a serene and contented community. If someone offended another, which is always apt to happen when many people live side by side, they were quick with an apology and outstretched hand. As a result, life was good.

Although the residents of this fictional place were as different as night and day, their homes and properties were similar in structure and size. Of course, being individuals, they added their own personal touches here and there, but always within the framework of the RULES.

Now the RULES were the basis that kept the community running smoothly and looking beautiful. It was the real secret to its peaceful existence. The RULES were given to each resident before they moved into their lovely home and each person had to actually sign a paper that stated they had received the RULES. Of course, being fairly intelligent, they understood that they must read the RULES, too—so, of course, each person did. From time to time, a resident might break a RULE, out of ignorance—not defiance-but when such an infraction was brought to their attention, they thanked the Authority and corrected the violation.

Of course, nothing is perfect that is formulated by man, even in fairy tales, and from time to time, there was a RULE so outlandish and ridiculous that it defied reason. When that happened, being the reasonable and kind people they were, they simply attended their monthly community meeting and politely asked the elected Authorities to review it and to contemplate a change. The Authorities, being human and not being perfect, even in fiction, sometimes did not agree with the general populace. In that case, the people went to the RULES and found there was a procedure in place, where if a quorum was met and a sufficient number of votes received, the RULE could be changed, in spite of the Authorities’ ruling.

Many people wanted to move to this idyllic community and have the peace and contentment enjoyed by its residents but they were not willing to abide by the RULES, the very thing that made it so desirable. Some people preferred to have “choices” --after all it was their home, they reasoned, was it not? The happy residents reminded them, in a gentle and kindly manner, that the choice always remained with them. There were many other communities, perhaps not as beautiful or peaceful, they could move to—places where there were no RULES.

So, the residents who lived in this place too beautiful to behold, but not yet discovered, felt strongly that their “choice” had been the right one and as long as they followed the RULES, they would live happily every after.