Nury Vittachi: CHAPTER ONE: THE ATTACK
One windy February morning, a boy called Benjamin told his friend Don they should beat up an Iranian kid who lived nearby.
“It’ll be quick and easy,” Benjamin said. “We ring his doorbell, and when he comes out, we jump him, smack him around, and leave him in the dust. We’ll be in and out in no time.”
So that’s what they did. They beat up the Iranian kid, and for good measure, roughed up his mom, dad, and sisters, and broke the windows of their home.
Quick and easy, like Benjamin had said.
CHAPTER TWO: THE TWIST
But then everything went wrong.
Turned out the Iranian kid’s family owned the land around the local toll bridge.
The town was on an island and everyone depended on that bridge to get to the mainland. Up to now, the Iranian family had let everyone use it free of charge, day in, day out.
But no more. The injured family closed the area.
The Iranians put up a sign. “Friendly people can phone us, make a contribution towards rebuilding our home, and can pass.”
Some did – but many others were scared that if they were friendly with the Iranian family, they too would be attacked by Don and Benjamin.
Many people were trapped. This was a serious problem. How could people get to work, get to school, buy what they needed?
As March turned to April, people soon ran out of food, of drink, of fuel. Soon, people for miles around were angry with Don and his friends.
CHAPTER THREE: PETE TO THE RESCUE
Don told his friend Mad Pete to sort it out. “Sure,” he said.
Mad Pete started a program of causing even more damage to the Iranian family’s house.
Don helped by standing behind him shouting threats: “We will wipe out your whole civilization.”
To their amazement, the massive increase in violence did not bring about peace.
Pete and Don were stunned. How could this be?
On the contrary, the Iranian family just become more resolved to stand up to bullies, and more people everywhere started expressing sympathy for them.
The toll bridge remained closed.
CHAPTER FIVE: DIVINE INTERVENTION
During the second month of misery, angels appeared, singing in the sky.
A glowing wise man in robes appeared alongside them. “Glory to God, peace on earth, and by the way, weapons are not the answer,” said Pope Leo.
Mad Pete replied: “We don’t ALWAYS use weapons. We have two strategies.
“Number one: Use weapons.
“Number Two: Pretend to negotiate while continuing to make threats to use weapons, or, actually using the weapons.”
Pope Leo rolled his eyes heavenward. “Jesus,” he said, and flew away, shaking his head. “They know not what they do.”
CHAPTER FIVE: THE GOD-KING OF DAO
News of the impasse reached the ears of the great Emperor of Dao, who lived far away.
That’s because Don facetimed him. “O Great Emperor, we’re in a kind of sticky situation, can you fix this?” he said.
The Emperor said nothing.
“I’ll sell you 500 Boeing jets at mates’ rates,” Don said.
But the Emperor responded only with an enigmatic smile. And then rang off.
Don sighed. What on earth could they do?
Now the problem of the blocked bridge entered its tenth week. Don and Pete were going crazy. The whole world was angry with them.
They could see no answer—but things were coming to a head much faster than he realized.
[Continued.]
Johnson Choi Biz 