Story：Is ignorance a blessing? — Part 2
【明報專訊】THERE was disagreement among people fleeing the Golden State. Some revelled in being a Wise State citizen, who could enjoy all sorts of basic rights and liberties.
Years on, the Golden State was resurrected by another King. Some thinking people in the Wise State, who were also from the Golden State, were unhappy that their fellow comrades had forgotten the primary purpose of their exodus.
''We have to take back the Golden State, a country that belongs to our people.'' An exiled leader in the Wise State launched a campaign overseas and agitated for the recovery of their land.
''Don't listen to this lunatic. We're footloose and fancy-free living in the Wise State. Why should we burden ourselves with such an elusive fantasy?'' Someone flatly opposed the idea, and Wise State officials also advised against that and counselled patience.
However, some did join the campaign and arm themselves with Wise State weaponry. Inexperienced in combat, former Golden citizens relied heavily on their Wise State patron. A few radicals fought back to the Golden State, but some spies from their former homeland persuaded the King, ''There's no need to send troops. I know these guys. They're just people who love mouthing off about nihilistic(虛無的) vision. Just launch some missiles and they'll kneel.''
Missiles were indeed fired and the diehard Wise State supporters were scared witless, because half of their men died. They asked for reinforcements, but Wise State officials were disillusioned and refused
to do so.
''Perhaps they're not one of us...'' A Wise State official sighed.
Adapted from a fable from Plato's Republic
by Ian Lam
◆Food for thought
Is patience as crucial as bravery when it comes to success?
■Gear up
Fill in the blanks with words from the above story.
1. The military campaign is launched by a leader in exile living in _____________.
2. The soldiers fighting back to the Golden State are armed with _____________.
3. Wise State officials thought that the former Golden State citizens should show _____________.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
thinking people (n) 有識之士
exodus (n) 逃亡
agitate for (v phr) 鼓吹
disillusioned (adj) 大失所望
[Smarties' Power English 第291期]
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