THE TALE OF TWO SIBLINGS: VOICES OF CHANGE

In a bustling and verdant land teeming with vibrant people and rich cultures, two siblings, Protest and Riot, lived together. Protest was peaceful and respectful, embodying the spirit of justice and fairness. Riot, on the other hand, was aggressive and quick to resort to violence, yet he often attracted people’s attention with his fervour. Despite their differences, they loved each other dearly.

As time passed, a dark cloud of injustice and despair loomed overhead. Hunger and thirst began to invade the land, and it became mired in suffering. People trekked under the scorching sun, unable to afford even a drop of water. It almost felt like their gods were mad at them.

The streams dried up, water reservoirs were locked, and only the privileged could afford water. The land was polluted, hunters couldn’t sell their game, and merchants found no buyers. Desperation drove people to cannibalism to survive.

The eyes of the people were pissing, crying for renewed hope.

The people suffered under the tyrannical rule of their king, who ignored their pleas for better living conditions. Determined to bring about change, Protest suggested peaceful demonstrations, marching through the streets and shouting slogans to raise awareness. “End bad leadership! Demand a better tomorrow!” she chanted.

But Riot had other ideas. “That’s too boring!” he said. “We need to really get the king’s attention. Let’s smash windows, set fires, and throw rocks at the guards!”

The people were torn between the siblings’ ideas. Some wanted to follow Protest’s peaceful approach, while others were tempted by Riot’s dramatic methods.

A wise elder addressed the gathering, “Protest is not about destruction and chaos. It’s about bringing attention to our cause in a peaceful and powerful way”. The people listened and soon agreed that Protest’s plan was the best.

Alarmed by the peaceful protest, the king called upon the military to disperse the crowds. Undeterred by tear gas, violence, and intimidation, Protest and the people stood firm for their rights.

Riot, fueled by rage and frustration, urged the people to resort to violence. “Peaceful protest won’t work. We can’t keep watching the uniformed men bully us and feed us to their weapons!” he shouted. But Protest shook her head. “No”, she said firmly. “Violence will only bring more suffering”.

Some were swayed by Riot’s words, and soon chaos erupted in the streets. Windows shattered, cars burned, looters roamed, and the city descended into pandemonium. The smell of dead bodies filled the air, mingling with the loud cries of innocence and the sounds of gunshots.

The siblings, torn between their respective paths, found themselves at odds. In the midst of the chaos, Riot realized his mistake. “I was wrong”, he confessed to his sister. “This violence is not the way. I should have listened to you. It has caused a lot of damage”.

“It’s not too late to make a difference. Join me in this peaceful protest, and let us state our message to our king clearly and strongly”, Protest urged.

Together, Protest and Riot rallied the people once more. With Protest at the forefront, the people marched through the streets, their chants of “Protest, not riot!” and “We want good living!” ringing through the air.

The king, unable to ignore the peaceful protest, finally emerged from his palace to address the crowd.

Protest stepped forward, her voice clear and resolute. “We are here not only for ourselves but for our children and our aged parents who need us. We want our crops to grow, our families to afford healthy food, our children to afford quality education, and our streets to be safe. We are tired of the frequent deaths. We want peace. We want hope. We want good living. Do not let our pleas fall on deaf ears”.

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?Uduak Eti

Soji Apampa Integrity Organization Limited. (Gte.) Convention on Business Integrity

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