Subversive Twist
“A revolution is when you change your thinking.” — Jose Mujica
The worldwide uprising took several different forms in various regions and individual countries: food riots, peasant revolts, general strikes, anarchist rebellions, military insurrections, traditional Jacobin-type revolutions, and national-liberation wars. It quickly gained momentum and by the end of last year some two hundred nations on the planet were affected to some extent.
When the President called us into the Oval Office the only thing he wanted to know was what had started the global hurly-burly.
After two hours brainstorming we unequivocally identified the initial spark: In early 19th century England an orphan boy named Oliver Twist asked for an extra portion of gruel. Now, we didn’t have enough time for finding out about gruel per se, but it must have tasted quite delicious to have remained the favorite food of so many for several decades. The gastronomy aspect of it carries no significance anyway, considering it was the impudent demand itself that led to the ensuing chaos.
Had the little bastard not asked for seconds, everybody would know their proper place now and we’d have eternal peace.
*****First published in Friday Flash Fiction on September 6, 2024.*****
