I wrote this for my Creative Writing class. See if you can point out what the Ten Rules may be.
Utopic Story
It was a quiet day in the land. The council had just adjourned after a very solemn meeting. For the past week, they had been discussing one man’s fate, and thus, according to the10th rule, “Anyone who breaks these rules will be cast out if seen fit by the council,” the fate had been decided.
The man, Jacob, had broken many rules, including stealing another’s property, abusing his power in the council to further his own agenda, and remaining workless, but still had sustenance. These minor grievances were all met with no terrible punishment, but the new violation of the rules out-shadowed all of the others. This time, Jacob broke the rule that should never be broken. He took another man’s life.
In his defense, he had no intention of murdering the man. Jacob went over to the man’s house to ask if he could have new clothes. The two were well acquainted. The man said no –Jacob wasn’t working and according to the third rule, could not be supported by others. The discussion rose and tempers flared, ending with Jacob killing the man. This was the first time
his had ever occurred in the society’s 173 years of existence. Everyone hoped it would be the last.
It seemed that the whole Earth was quiet at the reading of the verdict. A cloud moved and covered the sun, chilling everyone’s skin. The birds sat silent and the wind stood still, as if holding its breath, as one of the councilmen approached the platform in the Town Square. An air of gravity set over the crowd as the councilman stepping onto the platform.
He proclaimed in a loud voice, “The council has met and decided the final decree. It grieves us all to be forced to decide this. Jacob will be evicted from this town and will quit his spot on the council. He can never come back to this town under any circumstances. Jacob, my old friend, we will supply you so you may make a life for yourself outside this town. You will leave by the dusk of tomorrow.”
Jacob looked on with a straight face. He knew this was for the better. He gave a brief nod to the councilman and walked up to the platform to say good-bye.
“I know what I have done is inexcusable,” he said as the crowd drew silent. “I know that this was the only choice I left the council. I go to the wild with no grudges. I will miss you all dearly. Good-bye.” He sat back down in the crowd as the crowd remained noiseless.
The next day, Jacob was sent out and the village resumed its daily tasks. Jacob was never seen, heard, or spoke of again. No man like him was ever seen in the village again. The village lived peacefully under the Ten Great Rules. It was prosperous and, thankfully, the council never met again to decide the fate of any person.
The man, Jacob, had broken many rules, including stealing another’s property, abusing his power in the council to further his own agenda, and remaining workless, but still had sustenance. These minor grievances were all met with no terrible punishment, but the new violation of the rules out-shadowed all of the others. This time, Jacob broke the rule that should never be broken. He took another man’s life.
In his defense, he had no intention of murdering the man. Jacob went over to the man’s house to ask if he could have new clothes. The two were well acquainted. The man said no –Jacob wasn’t working and according to the third rule, could not be supported by others. The discussion rose and tempers flared, ending with Jacob killing the man. This was the first time
his had ever occurred in the society’s 173 years of existence. Everyone hoped it would be the last.
It seemed that the whole Earth was quiet at the reading of the verdict. A cloud moved and covered the sun, chilling everyone’s skin. The birds sat silent and the wind stood still, as if holding its breath, as one of the councilmen approached the platform in the Town Square. An air of gravity set over the crowd as the councilman stepping onto the platform.
He proclaimed in a loud voice, “The council has met and decided the final decree. It grieves us all to be forced to decide this. Jacob will be evicted from this town and will quit his spot on the council. He can never come back to this town under any circumstances. Jacob, my old friend, we will supply you so you may make a life for yourself outside this town. You will leave by the dusk of tomorrow.”
Jacob looked on with a straight face. He knew this was for the better. He gave a brief nod to the councilman and walked up to the platform to say good-bye.
“I know what I have done is inexcusable,” he said as the crowd drew silent. “I know that this was the only choice I left the council. I go to the wild with no grudges. I will miss you all dearly. Good-bye.” He sat back down in the crowd as the crowd remained noiseless.
The next day, Jacob was sent out and the village resumed its daily tasks. Jacob was never seen, heard, or spoke of again. No man like him was ever seen in the village again. The village lived peacefully under the Ten Great Rules. It was prosperous and, thankfully, the council never met again to decide the fate of any person.