Choices...

We had, in the last post explored a situation in which some boys were playing on an old unused rail track when one of them discovers the thrill of being on a shiny new track. The problem with being on this one is, however, that the gleam of the new metal hides in its shine the possibility of an oncoming train that can cause death. The children belong to a village where the village elders have built tales around the track to protect their young. They have legends to scare teh young away from the new track as well as to keep them close to the village by the rails of the old track. This track is too old to have any strength to carry a train. Yet, it is strong enough to bind the villge in its metallic grip and keep it and its inhabitants 'in'.

One boy, only one, is able to withstand the peer pressure and stay on the old track when the rest follow the glitter and the glamour. He is able to stand his ground and stay true to his nature. He is able to stand alone and also make the effort to call back his mates and warn them of impending danger. His words fall on deaf ears, his friends are blinded by the glitter. They do not come back.

The oncoming train is hurtling towards the boys- full steam ahead.

The driver sees the four boys on this track. He sees one on the other. His mind does a quick calculation... 4 is to one. And then, logic takes over. It is not a question of 4 and one. It is, rather, a question of the six hundred and forty eight in the train he drives that have left their lives in his hands... He must not endanger those lives.

If he moves the train from this track to that, the four boys will definitely be safe. The one who stood his ground, the one who had the strength of character to resist the temptation of glitter and glamour, will surely die.

The train may trundle along to a dangerous halt on the decrepit track or get derailed. But... these four will survive. And THAT one will be dead. And all those passengers, too may find their lives hanging in the balance. They may survive if God is with teh driver. They may die if Fate takes over.

Suddenly time seems to slow down for the driver. HE is trying to brake the speed with every little ounce of strength in his sinews and each little bead of sweat on his forehead- bunched over his brows in intense concentration.

Will he be able to stop in time?

Will he divert the train to the old unused track and risk all his passengers?

Will he ?

Well... This driver does what is obvious even to a teenager...

He stays on this track.

And he saves the nearly six hundred and fifty, and he saves the one who has the strength of character to resist glitter and who has the wisdom to stay safe.

As for the ones who ventured into the dangerous and the unsafe.