THEY ALL HAD SOMETHING | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: THEY ALL HAD SOMETHING | Previous Challenge Entry
By rachel imoukhuede
08/21/05
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They were everywhere- people filled the hall, the seats the floor, babies, toddlers, adults and the old, people crying and laughing, some were talking while others were lost in thought. A few smiled but most carried a frown as if they were not pleased to be there. A mixed blend of race and tribe, creed and kind, every country in the world it seemed had at least one person represented here, black ,white, red and yellow.
They all had something in common, all were traveling to various destinations or at least so it seemed by the way some were dressed ranging from casual to extremely formal. Some were asking the staff of the agency for directions as to where to queue while many seemed totally at loss as to where to go and what was even happening.
The lines were long as many dragged their luggage along burdened by their sheer weight. However it seemed as if the luggages were more than the passengers in the hall. The luggages were very diverse in content as well as in their packaging. Some were rusty, old and tattered from years of use and had weathered many storms, a kind of familiarity propelled the users to hang on to them and retain use of them as if to say ”I’ve been here and there and around the world. Can’t you see my prizes, my souvenirs from years of hard work..”
Some were modern in shape and style, neat and compact, built to suit the occasion and fit the trend of the day. There was one set of suitcases which had a crème color and appeared custom-made for its’ owner, a young girl wearing a cream outfit to match ,funny though even her dog ”M” which she cuddled very tightly had a crème collar too.
An older grumpy man hovered over his own suitcase with a seemingly over protectiveness that shocked some fellow passengers His small suitcase had a sticker with an initial ”W” and it contained all his life savings which he had so carefully kept over the years and planned to spend on the other side. He held it very close to himself just as he caught a suspicious looking young man staring at him. Well! he thought to himself I’m not going to let anyone near it.
On the far right of the hall some toddlers ran across playing and chasing each other without their mothers in sight.A little boy rode his tricycle across a little space he found while some mothers cuddled their newborns, humming and singing to them. Others lay down on the seats awaiting the roll call. In a corner two chatted quietly while a small group sang choruses a little too loud it seemed to other passengers.
A man was giving out tracts to people who would collect while another middle aged man tried to sell his wares as he also waited for his turn. An old lady knelt down to pray quietly while a group of rock stars blared out their music while also waiting. Occasionally a little child without a family begged for money or food from the passengers and at the far corner of the hall a threadbare dressed man begged for coins. it was as if every imaginable person filled this hall and just then an announcement rocked the room with the voice reverberating.” The following people who hear their names are to line up in front of departure gate ”D” ,their boarding passes will be given to them as prepared from the master list. He began
James Micheal
Joy Stephins
Funmi Oke
Paul Johnson
Jet Young
Adams Lee
Ming Chan
Koffi kubi…….
The names continued as passengers filled on the line. The staff at the departure gate had their hands full as time after time they repeated the same instructions to most of the passengers as they were been handed their boarding passes indicated “Hn “or “Hl.” I’m sorry ma’am no luggage’s allowed”. ”I’m sorry sir you can’t take that with you” said the staff. ”why?” asked the old man,. ”Sorry but rules are rules, You have to leave now and there is no turning back.”. The flight is ready, replied the staff. Very disappointed the old man walked through the gate.
A small argument ensued between the young girl and a staff member. This is totally unfair she said, ”I need all these things” pointing to her luggage. ”No miss, It’s not possible.” “O.k.” ,She answered ,at least let me take my little dog “M” with me, He doesn’t weigh much and I have never been without him. I can’t bear to part with him please,’ NO! The staff said more firmly now as another staff took the dog away from her. “Your flight leaves now” and he handed her a boarding pass with Hl.
Apart from scuffles similar to this departure for some passengers was very peaceful. There were some who didn’t need to be told, they had no luggage with them save the boarding passes handed to them mostly stated “Hn”, these ones had come prepared Knowing that “…..we brought nothing to this world and we will take nothing out……”.

Meanings of acronyms
Hn-Heaven
Hl-Hell
Gate D-death
M-materialism
W-worldly possessions
Staff-Angels

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