A parable that boils down the motives for the September 11 attack to their basic level
In the giant yard of the school called “Universe”, many children played. These children came from all over and had many different backgrounds. One sturdy little boy named Ulysses stood out from his fellow classmates. He was of a different parentage. His ancestors comprised the blond Swedes, black Ethiopians, swarthy Spaniards volatile Italians, mystical Celts and many other groups. In fact, Ulysses carried within him all the races and nations of people in the world.
Most of the other children in the school were on just one ethnic background so for that reason, Ulysses was somewhat different that his classmates. One other thing that set him apart was his wealth. He worked hard to maintain his wealth but much of it came to him through the sweat and struggles of his ancestors. Ulysses was a fairly easygoing child. He often shared his many toys with less fortunate children. He also couldn’t stand to see his friends or any weaker child bullied so he was often dragged into fights to help others.
The children frequently grouped together in bands sharing similar religions and customs but by and large most of the children respected the others right to be different. Sometimes Ivan tried to push Ulysses but it was a fair type rivalry and lately they had earned one another’s respect if not quite friendship. Erin and Brittany and Scott were close friends of Ulysses as were many of the other children.
One child, Abraham, had his seat in the middle of some children from the desert who believed differently than he did. Some of these desert children tolerated Abraham but some of them pushed and jostled him in line and knocked against his tray in the lunchroom. Abraham was a stubborn little boy who refused to be intimidated so he often got abused by the desert children who disliked him because he believed differently. The aggressive desert children who insisted everyone must think and act just like them even abused the desert children who tried to be fair to Abraham.
One of these bullies, a sneaky kid named Binnie, was meaner than most. Perhaps it was because he was an illegitimate child not really having a family like the other children. Binnie was poorer than most of the other desert children. In fact, Binnie had none of the good toys and things that Ulysses took for granted. That made Binnie very jealous but he knew if he just attacked Ulysses and admitted that the reason was plain ordinary jealousy, the other children would hate him and flock to help Ulysses. He wanted the respect of the others, especially of the desert children but he couldn’t stand to see Ulysses happy and strong, enjoying his rightful possessions. So he decided to use an excuse when he struck. The best one he could think of was that Ulysses often defended poor Abraham when the mean desert children picked on him. That way, he could try to make it look like it was “us” against “him” when he attacked Ulysses.
Now, Binnie wasn’t very brave. In fact, he was a downright coward. So he devised a plan with no risk to himself. He decided to strike Ulysses from the back when he wasn’t looking. To be sure he didn’t even hurt his hands, he used some of his toys that he considered worthless. He sneaked up behind the sleeping Ulysses early one morning and, keeping well out of reach, struck him a stunning blow to the back of the head. He hoped he had killed Ulysses but that was not to be.
For a few days, Ulysses was stunned. All his friends, especially, Brittany, Erin and Scott, gathered round. Even some of the desert children came to the hospital where he lay to offer their sympathy.
It didn’t take long for Ulysses to regain his strength. Then he did the only thing he could do. He struck back before Binnie or any of his friends could hit him again. He decided to protect himself by attacking Binnie in his classroom at the desk he usually occupied. Since Binnie was such a coward, he didn’t stay in his desk and face Ulysses in a fair fight so sadly, his desk and even his classroom were damaged by Ulysses as he turned over tables and desks searching for his enemy. He didn’t have any other choice since Binnie was never going to fight fair and meet him head on. He knew Binnie meant to kill him and would if had another chance. Ulysses vowed never to give Binnie a chance to attack him unaware again. Some of Ulysses’ friends got upset when they saw Ulysses was going to leave no stone unturned to find Binnie. Even if he had to attack Binnie’s friends and protectors, he was now a smarter little boy abet a little less innocent. He had finally learned, you must fight fire with fire.
Contributed by:
Kathleen Walls
©2002 Kathleen Walls
Website: American Roads
