Michael T. Hare

Below is a scene from one of my old stories, but it’s still fresh with wisdom. A good interaction between mentor and mentee.

(For context, the people in this story live in factions and, depending on their specific faction, are called Hawks, Foxes, Owls, etc. Despite the names, the people within these tribes are humans).

---

“Why did you save that Hawk?” I ask. “What was the point of sparing his life?”

“Do you have a problem with Hawks?”

I nod, “Yes, I think you should’ve let them handle their own thing. The Hawks don’t know what it’s like to suffer.”

“Nobody can guarantee that. Not even you. I saved that Hawks life because he is more than a Hawk.”

“Yes, I know he’s a person and therefore doesn’t deserve to die.”

“Yes,” my mentor says. “I saved him because he is a person like us, but I also saved that Hawk because he is probably a brother, a son, maybe even about to be husband. I could’ve let him perish then, but I didn’t. Our world is divided, but each slice of us is not different.”

“Then why do they get favored more than us. They’re spoiled jerks in my opinion.”

My mentor nods, “Sure, they’re favored,” he says. “But that’s different than a jerk or a selfish person.”

“How so?” I ask angrily.

“The way The Superiors favors is without reason, and The Hawks have no say in it. It is how they indulge in being favored that makes them who they are. If you were to ask me, I’d say you’re jealous.”

I scoff, “I’m not jealous,” I say, crossing my arms.

“Said like someone who’s jealous.”

“Look, if they were really generous people, maybe they would’ve shared their gifts with other already.”

“Not with the Superiors in charge. They have ways of seeing us, Augustus. If they tried tried to share their gifts. They would be greatly punished in ways that even I do not know, but I do know that and am one of the few who still do.”

I sigh, “Fine,” I say, fiddling with the scar on the side of my head.

My mentor clears his throat, “Fine what?”

“Fine I understand.”

My mentor nods, “But will you choose to accept it?”

“I just said I understood it!”

“I understand how to rob someone, yet I do not rob anyone. What do you choose to do about it?”

I grumble, “I’ll try and let it go,” I say. “Just leave me be.”