Remembering the Tragedy of Melody Island

I truly appreciate Kimberly T's comments on the last piece. As always they were insightful and I look forward to responding. As at now, we are still mourning the loss of Natalia Estemirova. Today, I'll do so by telling a tragic story...


On the continent of Stanis, there were three island kingdoms; they lay serenely next to one another. It was impossible to miss the incredible sight they made as you entered the navigational waters of Stanis. How could they ever be missed when they lay in such incomparable beauty. They glistened in the brilliance of the afternoon sun. A sight to behold! Once, a non-stanis traveler called them three princesses that could only rely on the power of personification for life, yet, had the power to arouse the strongest of men.

The one in the middle was Melody Island. To the north of Melody was Sallowmile and to the south, Cacophony. King Gustaro ruled Melody. Sallowmile had its strong man, King Rasule; and King Franksell in Cacophony. Stanis historians tell the story of the three islands having once been part of one big Kingdom until the kings' ancestors, three cousins, many centuries ago decided they wanted their own domains and fought their way to that end. However, as time went on, old wounds healed.

But Stanis historians suggest that time wasn't really the medicine that healed the kingdoms and mended their relationships. The greatest impact came from the tradition of music of the three islands. As the center of the three, Melody Island had the most talented musicians and the most charming sounds came from within its gates. Sallowmile loved the sounds of Melody Island. It brought joy to the neighboring kingdom. Negative emotions under the stresses of daily living were taken away, almost vaporized by enchanting melodies from the center of the three. Cacophony needed Melody Island; its survival depended on it. King Franksell could not be honest with his cousin that there was concern in Cacophony and Sallowmile that fewer and fewer women were being seen in Melody; fewer and fewer women were being heard within its gates.

Even though none of the kingdoms dictated sexual orientation, heterosexuality was dominant. But times were changing. Sexual preference was becoming a diverse reality, especially, in Melody Island. The concern in the neighboring kingdoms was not the sexual orientation of the subjects of Melody, but the dying of the sounds of Melody Island, loss of the voices of women.

Slowly but surely, what had remained a well kept secret in Melody Island started coming to light. The ladies of Melody were being killed, not because of sex, but because of a bizarre ritual. The string instruments had to be made of the flesh of women. At least, that was what they believed. So women were being killed and their flesh used to make the strings. But the music didn't get better; it worsened. Melody knew this but would not stop.

Franksell could not stand up to Gustaro : he needed him. Rasule in Sallowmile was a strong-man, but Sallowmile would not support war at this time. Moreover, Rasule was not one to go against tradition. So no one spoke up about the killings! Before many years passed, Melody Island lost its sounds, and died a slow and awful death. Cacophony needed Melody so it died a few years after. Today, Sallowmile's existence is worse than that of the living dead!

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Silence is betrayal!"

Don't cry for Melody Island. Remember Estemirova. And my deepest thanks for stopping by. Take care!