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Have you read Gulliver’s
Travels lately? It is a story that was written by Jonathan Swift
in 1726, but can still be found in all of the electronic forms
that delight young children. It is a story about love, fear of
the unknown, power struggles, and a silly war between two
countries.
Gulliver is shipwrecked on an island and drags himself onto
the beach. He is so exhausted that he falls asleep. Tiny people
called Lilliputians inhabit the island and their town crier
discovers Gulliver. The rumor is spread that Gulliver is a spy,
so they tie him up while he is sleeping.
There are two kings, King Little and King Bombo, whose
children, Princess Glory and Prince David, are deeply in love
and planning to be married. Both kings insist on their own
choice of a wedding song. David’s father, King Bombo, declares
war. The two lovers are devastated and the island is in an
uproar.
Gulliver wins the hearts of the little people with his
kindness, but the King’s spies were ordered to kill Gulliver
with his own gun. David jumps on the gun and prevents the
murder, but he and the gun both fall in a deep ravine.
Gulliver rescues the tiny Prince David and lectures the sad
kings by telling them, “Look what you have done. You have both
been thoughtless and selfish. We can settle this in peace by
combining both songs. We can turn hateful feelings into a
melody.”
Does this relate to us today? We need to look for alternate
ways to deal with conflict, not only with other countries, but
in our own community, county and, yes, even in our own minds and
hearts. People will always disagree, but let us bring our
differences into the open without gossip and hate. We are all
Calhouners. We have come together in times of trouble to give
assistance. We can make a difference.
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