There were two neighbouring villages in a vast and diverse land, Harmonia and Erisia. The villages coexisted peacefully for many years, learning from each other and sharing their resources.
Harmonia was known for its inclusivity and unity. The citizens worked together, irrespective of their backgrounds, and celebrated their differences. The village prospered, and its people were content.
Erisia, however, had a different story. Over time, citizens began to spread fear and suspicion about outsiders. They claimed that Erisia’s problems were due to the influence of those who were different. This rhetoric found fertile ground, and soon, a new leader emerged, promising to restore Erisia’s greatness by isolating it from the neighbouring village and expelling those deemed ‘different.’
The leader’s fiery speeches resonated with many, and his movement grew stronger. The citizens of Harmonia watched with concern as Erisia’s new policies began to resemble those of a dark period when a similar ideology led to great suffering and destruction.
One day, an old Harmonia sage, remembering the land’s history, addressed both villages. “Long ago,” he began, “a similar path was taken by our ancestors. They allowed fear and hatred to guide them, leading to a great conflict that nearly destroyed our world. The scars of that time still linger. Must we walk this path again?”
His words echoed through the valleys, and some began to question the direction they were headed. However, the leaders of Erisia dismissed the sage’s warning, calling him a relic of the past.
As time went on, the division between Harmonia and Erisia grew. Harmonia’s prosperity began to wane as trade and collaboration ceased, and Erisia’s internal strife increased as their leaders’ promises fell short.
One night, a terrible storm hit the land, threatening both villages. In the face of this common threat, the citizens had a choice: to continue their division and face ruin alone or to unite once more as they had in the past.
But this time, fear and mistrust had taken too deep a root. The leaders of Erisia refused to seek help, and Harmonia, now weakened, could offer little. The storm ravaged both villages, leaving destruction in its wake.
As dawn broke, the land lay in ruins, a testament to what happens when division triumphs over unity. The villagers, now scattered and broken, were left to reflect on the sage’s warning and the lost opportunity for collaboration. History had repeated itself, and the land would bear the scars for generations.
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to current events is intentional.
Nikos Tzivanakis 