Thought of the Day - September 6 2021 - Once Upon a Time

This week I have a series of heavy topics. Canada is currently at an important juncture (socially, economically, politically, and oh, as a result, COVID-wise). As a prerequisite, let me introduce you to a Kingdom. A Kingdom far, far, away . . .

In this Kingdom, there was a great concern. A concern that dragons were coming. No one really knew for sure where the dragons first came from, but there were many reports, reports that dragons were coming from far-off lands and that people were dying. This Kingdom summoned their most wise mages and most powerful fighters and challenged them to find a solution. This Kingdom opened their great coffers to help find an answer. An answer that would save the people of the Kingdom from the threat of the dragons.

But this story is not about that Kingdom, or indeed any of the great Kingdoms of the world. It is about a small fiefdom, and fiefdom that abutted the Kingdom. A fiefdom that knew whatever befell the Kingdom must surely come their way. And so, they pledged allegiance to the Kingdom, indeed they also pledged allegiance to other Kingdoms across the waters in hope that one would find a solution. A solution that would provide protection from the Dragons.

Toiling day and night, one by one the Kingdoms fashioned great weapons. Each was different. Some came at a great cost while others were said to be priced just for the metal they contained, yet they were also similar in several respects. First, they were shown they could successfully kill a dragon, "more than 90% efficacity" the headlines read. Thus, there was great rejoicing - each and every adult could be safe from the Dragons.

But there was a catch. The weapons required a brave soul to wield them. The great plan would require every adult to flip a Dragon Card - one in every ten thousand would have to use a Weapon, one in every ten thousand would have to fight a dragon, and one in every ten thousand may lose their life. At first, people were hesitant, but as the threat of the dragons got more real, they decided to take the plunge. After all, if you successfully flipped the Card you would be invited to live in the great fortresses. No one had ever heard of a person being summoned to fight a Dragon, but all knew of people maimed or killed by the Dragons that now swooped down from the night skies outside the fortress.

Nine months went by, and more and more people signed on. And those that didn't, were pressured to join. "Join your family and loved ones inside the great Fortress" people would shout from the battlements. Even children between 12 and 18 could now try their hand, even children without the consent of their parents could flip the Dragon Card. The sacrifice of the few would save the many.

Strangely, there were still people who refused to flip the Card. Even stranger, people were protesting against the great plan. At first, these people were poo-pooed. The people in the Fortress would say: "Those people too scared to try", "Those people too weak to risk facing a dragon", "Those people are selfish and do not care about the many".

In contrast, tens of millions of people in the fiefdom moved into the Fortress, the Fortress that protected them against dragons. Many were being saved.

But still, the stories persisted. People started hearing of the thousands of others in the fiefdom that had been summoned to fight the Dragons, with no reports as to whether they had lived or died. There were stories from far away that, rather than share their weapons, Kingdoms, and those fiefdoms that had pledged allegiance early, were keeping all the weapons in huge stockpiles - never sharing them with their neighbours. Neighbours that were besieged by dragons. Thus, although the neighbours had great warriors, they were being slaughtered by the dragons.

Meanwhile, it seemed the Dragons had become more fierce, more skilled through combat with the neighbours, with other fiefdoms, with other Kingdoms. The stories of Delta Dragons, as they were known, were everywhere. There were even terrifying stories of dragons breaking through and reaching people in the great Fortresses!

There were also rumours that some people were not allowed to try their hand at the Dragon Card. After all, why should weak people, who could not wield, be entered? Thus some had no chance of entering the Fortresses. But, it was said, some who had not flipped the Card had still tried to come inside! By decree, Medallions were to be issued in the days and months to come - medallions to be worn but those who had flipped the Card, Medallions that would make sure that no one, that did not support the great plan, could seek shelter in the Fortress.

But most worrying still, it was rumoured that your stay in the fortresses may only be temporary. That people might have to flip the Dragon Card, again and again - if they wished to stay. Thus, people started thinking, rather than huddling in the fortress awaiting their fate, maybe they should head out, weapons in hand, be free, and take their chances with the remaining dragons. Maybe.

So ends Chapter 1, and here we are, at a crossroad . . .

Cheers

Cliff