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a) Sweet Mystery of Life
The Jellybean Community Story 1
Sweet Mystery of Life
by Flora Smith
Bishop Purple looked down from his high pulpit near the
top of the packet, his head just beneath the Seal.
 "Our
time together in this place is not for very long," he intoned. "Indeed,
the time for many in other places is not for very long." He
paused and looked at the Black Family, the Japanese Gentleman and Mr
and Mrs White, then went on, "No matter what your colour or
creed," he stopped again and glanced at the Reds sitting alone,
"we are endowed with the God-given ability to think, to reason
and we should use these precious gifts to help our fellow man, not to
waylay him and force our views on him."
The Greenies shifted in their seats and glared at the
Orange farmers.
"Whatever your chosen profession," Bishop
Purple cast his deep, blue eyes in the direction of Constable Mauve,
"it is for you to do your work well, without fear or
favour."
After the sermon, all the Jellybeans mingled.
Mr and Mrs White were accidentally jostled by the Yellow
and Black ones.
"Watch it there!" Mr White looked around and
stared with distaste at the other colours. "Why some can't look
where they're going is beyond me. Banging about and knocking decent
folk is inexcusable and damned clumsy."
"We apologise," the Yellow and Black chorused.
"It was not our fault, we have no wish to offend," a Yellow
added courteously.
"HA. I should think not" Mrs White echoed her
husband's attitude.
"Bishop Purple believes we should love one another,
I'd say there is not much love lost between you people." The
words came from below. Everyone looked down to see Red Jellybean
settling into a corner of the bag. Sarcastic snorts accompanied
disdainful glares and deep rumblings emerged as Constable Mauve moved
over.
"The Bishop also said something about our time in
this bag being not very long and that we should try to get along
together." More rumblings of discontent. Louder this time.
On the far left side, another argument was erupting.
This time between the Greenies and the Orange farmers. The issue was
over small crop spraying. Constable Mauve made his way over to the
two groups. But before he could intervene, a Disabled Jellybean stood
as erect as it was possible to stand considering his misshapen form.
He said, "Can't we Ever get together on anything? You!" he
looked squarely at the Greenies, "have the high principles about
clean air and so on, and are to be commended. And You!" he
turned to the Orange farmers, "have to spray your produce, that
is understood. Why not try and work together to solve this problem?
Scientists are experimenting daily to find safer pesticides. Why not
channel all that ill feeling you spend on each other into rallying
and putting more pressure where it will do the
The Greenies and the Orange farmers looked at each other
and nodded their heads. The Disabled Jellybean headed further down
the packet, satisfied that he had at least suggested a different,
perhaps a more constructive way of thinking in the opposing parties.
SUDDENLY, there was a violent shaking.
Everyone looked up as the top of the bag was ripped open
and a thick thumb and two fingers delved in. Bishop Purple was the
first to go, followed by a few Constable Mauves and two members of
the Japanese Community. Then the packet was scrunched up and all went
very quiet.
"He was a good man," said the Red of the
Bishop.
"What would you know?" asked an irate Orange.
"All you mob are atheists!"
"Are we?" countered the Red, "do you know
ALL of us?"
The packet was opened again and this time a small hand reached
in and gathered up many jellybeans including the Black ones, then
greedily returned to scoop up the Disabled one.
 When
everyone had settled once again, tiny sobs were heard to be coming
from beneath the Whites. All eyes turned and saw the Teenage Twins,
still joined, seeking comfort from each other. They looked so
helpless.
"Don't cry, little ones," one of the White's
friends comforted.
"It's easy for you to say don't cry," they
said together tearfully. "We are young. We have our whole life
ahead of us. What is it all about anyway? We were made. We are here,
we will be taken, sometime, and we aren't even told when. It's just
not fair. Nothing around here is fair. None of you are fair. We hate
everyone in this dumb place!"
A huge Black loomed up behind them and spoke in an
unexpected soft voice. "You know what Bishop Purple would say to
that now, don't you?"
The question had the effect of making the Twins stifle
their sobs for a moment.
"He would say," Black answered his question,
"We should try to do our very best as long as we are here. That
while it is true we are not told when our time will come, we should
not waste precious moments on dwelling about our going. Being, is
most important, right now, and trying to be the best is a good way to
go."
The Twins were very quiet as they digested this wisdom.
The packet was opened again. This time only two fingers
were pushed in. Two Black ones were especially chosen and the rest
sighed as the bag was again screwed up.
But not for long.
Before further conversation could take place, the top
was wrenched open and the packet upended spilling out a handful into
a waiting cupped palm.
Then there remained only a Constable Mauve and his
immediate superior, two Greenies, Mr White and the Japanese
Gentleman. The Japanese Gentleman remained silent and chanced a look
at the others.
Mr White smiled wanly back at him. Constable Mauve shook
hands with the Greenies and they waited for the expected re-opening
of their home.
THE REMNANT of a Purple Piece of material blinked from
the far corner where it was stuck and sighed deeply. It offered a
little prayer that other bags of Jellybeans would, very early in
their short lives, realise that their time together was not for very
long. Indeed.
END
POSTCRUMB: It was deliberate that not all colours have
been used in this sweet tale, so that the Jellybean Reader can
include his or her own Special One and mould it to taste.
The following was read by Flora Smith in her "Flora
on Friday" Programme -
"Imagine that you are living in a bag full of
Jellybeans. That you are a part of the colourful Jellybean Community.
Your relatives, neighbours and friends are real. There is, for
instance, the very wise and gentle Bishop Purple, and to represent
the law of the packet, there is the vital, friendly Constable Mauve.
Then meet the White Family along with the Greenies who are very aware
of the nature of things. The Oranges also play a tasty part in their
important fruity roles, and we must not forget the Teenage Twins,
joined, but with very separate ideas about what Life is all aabout in
their packet. The Disabled One also exists in each bag and because he
or she is a little different, this sweet Bean has a place in all our
hearts. And speaking of differences, the Japanese Gentleman and the
big Black Ones are very important inhabitants to sink your teeth
into. And what about those Pinkies? So, with today's cast
assembled and ready to entertain us, we hope you will enjoy another
in the series called "The Jellybean Community" and can we
add the sweet reminder that these stories and their messages are NOT
just for the young, but for ALL of us who enjoy the taste of Life and
savour the Living."
"The Jellybean Community" Series has been
written and read by Flora Smith."
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