The Old Ogre and the eLf

Photo enhancement rendered by my friend Jayge Salvan

Once upon a time, there were an old ogre and an eLf who got marooned on an uncharted island full of orcs. Very different as they were from each other, but having no one to turn to except themselves, the old ogre and the eLf realized that they were experiencing similar adversities and battling the same enemies. And this was the very reason they learned how to set aside their differences and combine their wits to devise a humane strategy to topple the band of wicked and twisted orcs who were controlling the island.

"Let's capture them all and smash them heads on the trees until they are reduced to helpless heaps..." suggested the old ogre. "Or, perhaps, lure them to the Red River...let them drown; they don't know how to swim."

"Let's not be consumed by our pain and anger," said the eLf. "There are better ways of defeating an enemy than mangling and eliminating them and letting ourselves become what we, in the first place, abhor. Besides, it's their personas that need fixing, not the persons. I still believe that, in each of us, there exists a truly good inner self."

"I believe you. Even I, didn't realize until now that I can be a truly good ogre. What should we do then?" he asked.

"Let's teach them how to read and write, so they may begin to speak and understand our language. I believe that every being has the capacity to become good. It's just that, there should be others patient and willing enough to let them discover that inherent goodness. And in this situation, that someone is us. Therefore, let's show them kindness and compassion instead of resentment and aggression."

"Yuh," the old ogre agreed, "...teach them to read and write...let them speak our language...let them discover their own goodness...show them kindness and compassion.... But can't I eat even just a few of them, the most wicked ones?"

"Well...okay, just don't leave your mess all over the place. And bury their bones, will yeah?"

And the old ogre and the eLf continued their struggle to make better not only their lives but also the lives of all the creatures living with them on the faraway island.

THE END