Story：Is ignorance a blessing? — Part 3
【明報專訊】Overseas Golden State refugees were horrified by their own army's losses in their own country. Most decided not to support military plans any more, and there was growing frustration among the people who weren't in the military but who tried to help fund, train and organise the troops.
''The resistance leader has been removed. I think our camp lacks deliberation and democracy,'' a deputy to the former resistance leader said. ''Everything was decided by one man and nobody rights his wrong when bad things happen.'' The deputy then suggested learning from the Wise State's system, ''every one of us is born with inherent rights that no one can take away from us.''
An election was held for the first time and everyone had the right to vote. The deputy was chosen as the successor. ''Don't call me leader, call me president,'' he then set up a committee consisting of Golden State refugees with different opinions.
Solidarity was built and consensus developed. That not only prevented some extremists from putting the movement at risk, but also helped build their funds.
''The time has come to act. But I need a thorough plan,'' the president put forth an action plan for discussion. People on the committee agreed upon it.
Some of the president's men defected from the Wise State, but they were in fact Trojan horses acting as spies. They were welcomed by Golden State officials as they carried tons of valuable weapons to bribe the latter.
One night, when Golden State officials were asleep, the spies informed their fellows in the Wise State and opened the gate. The resistance assassins stormed the Golden State palace like a knife through butter and successfully kidnapped the king.
They plotted a bloodless coup and rebuilt their homeland into a democracy.
''This is a revolution.'' The president showed a touching faith in the new country.
(The end)
Adapted from a fable from Plato's Republic
(by Ian Lam)
◆Food for thought
Sometimes we have to keep a low profile and act prudently before enjoying success. Do you think success comes with detailed plans?
■Gear up
Fill in the blanks with words from the above story.
1. The president is formerly a _____________.
2. The resistance camp succeeds because it has _____________ and _____________.
3. The spies open the _____________ to let the resistance fighters come into the Golden State.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
remove (v) 撤職
right (v) 糾正
defect (v) 叛變
Trojan horse (n) 顛覆者
[Smarties' Power English 第292期]
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