by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024
(Jul. 5, 2024) — The gas lights of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition illuminated the flame in the torch held by the giant copper hand that seemed to rise out of the earth. The crowds in attendance had been assured that the floating spectacle would soon be joined to the rest of its body and be presented in whole, once construction in France was completed.
But, for now, the lady’s pointing finger made an excellent slide for a playful pixie named Oatly. Whooping all the way down, Oatly finally landed in the midst of his family, who had already settled themselves in the crook of the lady’s thumb. His arrival did not come without the complaints of his brother and sister, whom he had jostled.
Once wise father had calmed his little family, they each began to share their adventure of the day. “I saw a huge machine that powers this entire exposition,” exclaimed Oatly. “I saw someone talk into a small machine, and someone, somewhere else, heard them, and they talked back and forth, as if they were in the same room,” Bentley had said with wonder.
Piper, the more thoughtful of the three children, curled up in her mother’s lap and spoke with seriousness. “I saw separation, certain people being pushed to one side of the exposition, some even outside its borders. Some were excluded from certain events and presentations, and some were made fun of. If we are all created equal and given the same rights by our Creator, why are some people treated this way?”
Father glanced at Mother before he replied, “This land was built on the right ideas and principles, but it is run by flawed humans. While we must not be silent in the face of injustice, we must also be wise, lest we lower ourselves to the base level of people who would inflict inequity upon those they deem beneath them,” then, gazing up at the torch above their heads, he smiled, “This republic is still a good idea; it’s up to the wise to keep it.”