What does it mean to be human? To love and lose people, to empathise, to feel as others feel. To know right from wrong, to have a sense of reality. To have a conscience.
So I ask the question- Are we really Human? When you think back to all the events of the past, all the wars and famous events that we remember, they want you to remember them as events that are fighting for the rights of people, to make the world more human. Yet so often they contradict themselves in the way that they go about it. Think. Would we really go to war with people if we loved everyone equally, wanting them all to be equal in status? Would you? Is it Human to go so far as blow up iconic buildings- The Houses of Parliament, The Twin Towers- just to prove a point? 9/11. What were the real reasons for this? The tragedies of life are happening everyday, innocent people are dyeing, those who "deserve" to die are passing away. History rarely portrays the everyday lives of ordinary people. Why does the first day back to school never make its way to the history books? Plenty happens, the day is full of action. Are we really human if we ignore the simplicities of life?
As I entered the canteen through the weather worn doors, a wave of sounds, smells and sights assail my senses. There is the dinner lady, ushering the shouting, shuffling line forwards. The queueing pupils, impatiently waiting for the others to move away so they too can add to the clattering of cutlery against the patterned plates.
I stand in the queue now,talking to friends, laughing, leaning, careful to avoid the chewing gummed radiators. My stomach rumbles as i catch a temptingly tantalizing waft of food. I reach the counter, decide what to have. my eyes flash over the dripping yellow cheese, registering the pools of grease on the long fingers of sausage. I settle for pasta and carry my tray over to the till. My fingers scrabble for change in my pockets, brushing against the forgotten, crinkled wrappers that sleep there. I pull out the change, the coins warm against my palm, and hand it over, taking in the womans freshly washed hands-soon to be soiled with the germs of the till as she looks down, Pressing the fading buttons. The coins rattle as the tray shoots open. The woman smiles. I walk away.
The vividness of the day is burning the memory into my mind. A happy time, free of worries. Its a slightly different thing for the new kids. They wander around, shuffling quickly along the corridors, unsure of where to go, yet unsure of asking, afraid of these rumbling mass of people that push their way along, absorbed in their own lives, yet aware of everything.
Surely this is the stuff of history books?
A contest entry
- September New Member's Contest by SW Greeters.
175 points, ended October 4, 18 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Hello, Lelliebean.
I like the questions that you present in this story. I also like the descriptions. I do see a few things that need correcting, but, overall, this was a thought-provoking piece.
All the best in the contest.
Lady E,
Greeter
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'crinkled wrappers that sleep there.' Loved this description.
Thanks so much for entering and good luck in the contest.
Brooke
greeter -
Welcome to StoryWrite Lelliebean, and thank you for sharing this creative use of the prompt 'the first day of school' with us. It was an interesting narrative
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The first part raised some deep questions about man’s inhumanity towards his fellow beings. Of course, the only real answer to the questions you asked is the questions themselves. In wars both sides believe they are right. So the side you fight for is the right side
or so you believe.
Terrorism works the same way; only because they are without legal authority and their targets are more personal, they are considered despicable creatures.
Historians claim that without the violent emotion in the human makeup, we could never have attained the terrific societies we have today. It’s up to the young people to chain that energy and use it for good.
The second half brought back memories and caused a few grins.
Good luck in the contest.
Geri (Greeter)
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Your story got me thinking about how you have worded everything. I know what you mean that if we were "human" and had feelings, when why all the wars, the horrors that people do to each other and how we make each other feel. Your story sparks a reaction in others and I like that. It shows that it is well written and understandable. There could have been spaces inbetween the sentences but the story and concerns come across in your writing.
I used to believe that there were real demons living on earth, demons masked in human form, peforming those evil deeds. Maybe that's why I enjoy reading, watching movies and writing about the paranormal. It makes me feel better that true humans wouldn't do such evil deeds. Welcome to Storywrit and good luck in the contest. -
This is pretty good, in my opinion. But I'm no expert.
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Welcome to StoryWrite!
Your title reminded me of the song, "Are we Human or are Dancer". Lol now it is stuck in my head. Fortunately I like the song.
I think that you make some very solid points that are worth looking into ourselves to find the answers. I suppose it all boils down to what definition we use of human. Well that and how compassionate we claim to be.
Keep writing and once more, welcome
Vi-
SW Greeter
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