Once Upon A Time In LollaLand
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Once upon a time, where all good stories begin, there was a land where the good people toiled hard and were happy with what they reaped by the sweat of their brow. In the centre of the land stood their prized possession – the wonderful LollaTree. And why was it so wonderful? It was the LollaLeaf that they used to buy and sell whatever they wanted.
The LollaTree grew and grew and with it, the good people of the land prospered. There was a ritual that the LollaTree demanded though - and that was, every time they wanted a new batch of LollaLeaves, they had to insert a Glitto into the hollow in the tree. Only then could they harvest a new crop of LollaLeaves. The roots of the LollaTree needed to be nourished with Glittos which were mined from deep down inside the earth. The soil under the tree grew rich with Glittos and the LollaLeaves traveled far and wide, bringing wealth and prosperity to the land.
One day, when the Council of Power met, one of them said, “We don’t have any more Glittos to put into the hollow – what do we do?’ The Main One thought for a while. “Our good people have worked and toiled so hard – it would be wrong to take away the joy that the LollaLeaves bring them. Let’s just pretend – just this once that we have the Glittos. We will paint LollaLeaves exactly like the ones from the LollaTree and no one need know. We must protect our people.” So they made LollaLeaf substitutes so that the good people who worked hard could keep smiling.
“Only till we get the next lot of Glittos – then we’ll make up,” they said. And it was in the year three score and eleven. The months passed and the LollaLeaves were craved for all over the world. A year later, the Council of Power met once more and there was worry writ on all their faces. “Our people are happy but we can’t get enough Glittos for the LollaTree,” they said. The Main One smiled. “Then the Glittos will have to go. Look at how well our LollaLeaves are doing all over the world. Who needs the Glittos anymore?” So he sent the town criers all over the world to tell everyone that from henceforth, the LollaLeaf would be the measure of exchange without the benefit of the Glittos.
The Watcher who couldn’t speak watched and was very afraid. Where was this story going, he wondered? How could he tell the good people that they were not going down the ‘happily ever after road’? They were so sure they were.
With prosperity came chariots which were big and fancy and soon, the lio that was used to grease the chariots wasn’t enough. They needed more. So they went to the far off Land of Lio to get more and they could buy as much as they wanted with the wonderful LollaLeaves.
The first rumblings were heard in VinoLand, at the other end of the pond. They had too many LollaLeaves lying around so they wanted Glittos instead. “Take your LollaLeaves and give us an equal measure of Glittos,” they said. But there were not enough Glittos to give. They knew that today if it was VinoLand, tomorrow it would be others who would want Glittos instead of the LollaLeaves.
The Watcher wondered what they would do. Would the bubble burst? Would the world guess what a tangled web had been woven? The time has come, he thought. He was wrong.
The Council of Power knew they had to think fast. So they went to the Land of Lio and struck a deal. Every country that bought any Lio had to pay for it with LollaLeaves. Needless to say, the LollaLeaf grew even stronger and the sunshine of prosperity shone even brighter in LollaLand. When the people of LollaLand needed more lio for their own chariots, the Council of Power just went out and had more LollaLeaves painted.
They had so much now that they wondered what to do with them. “Let’s lend it to our people so they can buy themselves bigger chariots, bigger mansions,” they said. “Let the people be even happier than they are!”
Till one voice from the province of Qira in the Land of Lio who had been a friend decided that he would allow people to buy his lio with another leaf. This would not be good for the good people so the Council knew they didn’t have a choice – they had to still his voice. They really didn’t have an option – it was his fault – why oh, why couldn’t he have let things be? He should have toed the line, not rebelled. Once his voice was stilled, the LollaLeaf was reinstated as the official measure of exchange – quietly but firmly.
The Watcher watched, sick to his stomach. He knew it was the beginning of the end. What would the good people do when they knew the truth? What would happen when the scales fell from their eyes? That it wasn’t the Lio but the LollaLeaf that was to blame?
Then came other voices of dissent. From the Land of Venez where their leader refused to sell his lio for only LollaLeaves. Then it was the leader of Nira, a neighbour of Qira and he did the unthinkable – he said he would accept all leaves from all over the world except the LollaLeaf.
Verily, verily, below the LollaTree, way below the levels of the Lio and the Glittos there runs the vein of Verity. If one digs deep enough, the springs of Truth will out, nourishing the land with cleansing streams, bringing new life and new hope.
The Watcher moved to a nearby hillock and watched as the LollaLeaf started crumbling. He watched as the scales fell from a few thinking eyes. He watched as the good people approached the crossroads – would they take the narrow long and winding road to the happily ever after? Suddenly in his hopeless eyes, there was a gleam – of hope. “Nothing is impossible,” he thought, “Not when the good people have the will to overcome. This too shall pass.”
It’s all about the money, honey!
The rise of the euro
Are we going back to a currency linked to gold?
http://goldnews.bullionvault.com/gold_oil_opec_dollar_011020081
News and Views
- Euro regains ground; oil, shares firmerMalaysiaNews.net3 days ago
LONDON -- The euro clawed back some of its recent steep losses against the dollar and yen on Friday and rose off nine-month lows versus the Swiss franc while higher oil prices pushed European stocks h...
- Ruble Gains Against Euro, Central Bank Basket as Oil Tops $74Bloomberg3 days ago
Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- The ruble headed for its highest close in a month against the euro and gained versus the Russian central bank’s currency basket for a fourth day as oil climbed above $74 a barrel.
- Crude Oil Futures Rise as Dollar Pares Gains Against EuroBloomberg4 days ago
Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose after the dollar pared gains against the euro and on signals that economies around the world are improving. Oil increased 0.9 percent as the greenback retreated from a three-month high against the common currency.
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Comments
Thanks you so much - it's strange - I was just reading your hub :)
Shalini - love it. Well done!
Nice story by the way is lolla leaf the US dollar?
I love this parable! LollaLand will never be the same after this. Well done!
Shalini that is just too cool, too clever! You're a genius. The question is, of course, what happens in the next episode?
Wonderful! And such a refreshing change of pace. Thank you Shalini!
A truly great read, well done :)
Thanks everyone for the comments!
Paraglider: Thanks for reading!
CW: It could be about anything you like it to be :)
vitaeb: Thank you, thank you!
Amanda: The answer is of course: the next episode is to be written by the people, of the people, for the people :) Thanks for coming by!
Pam: I appreciate your stopping by.
mistyhorizon: Thanks for reading and commenting!
Completely excellent!
CWB: You warm my heart, you do - thank you!
That was sooooo creative. I love it.
RGraf - thanks for stopping by!
I've been sitting for an inordinate time trying to think of something erudite and meaningful to cap this hub.
I can't.
Good.
The truth (as I believe) is as you say, albeit in parable.
Thank you TOF - for reading and commenting.
That's a compliment - I think! *big grin*
Nicely done, Shalini! I thoroughly enjoyed this creative and insightful story. Great images for the Watcher, also!
Thank you Melissa! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I was enthralled! Thanks for this eye-opener. I'm an instant fan :D
Thanks Cris A - for reading and for becoming a fan :)
Hi shalini,
Really great reading this. Now write a book about Loland and they can make it into a movie. congratulations girl.
kiruba
Thanks K - glad you stopped by to read this!
I still trip out on how good this is.
Hey goldentoad - thanks for coming by again - and for the kind words :)
Fantastic hub! Waiting on the edge of my seat for the sequel
That was amazing! I can't wait for your next hub!
Nolimits Nana and Susan M: Thanks so much for reading and commenting - you've inspired me to think of a sequel now :)
Shalini- Even I am curious about part 2. I guess one of these days some cartoon maker will come knocking your door for the script to make a blockbuster movie. Great story line and twists.
CW - thanks for the vote of confidence. You've got me dreamimg :)
Atleast some things like dreams are still free. For the rest we are taxed like anything. Hope things are returning back to normal. Although I am worrying about a real war scenario (here in US news channel they are showing Ms.Rice is trying to mediate/cool the tempers)
Yes CW - there's always that possibility - when we don't want to shoulder the blame, it's easy to play the 'Distract' card and go to war - isn't that what most countries do?
I heard that their was actionable intelligence but no concrete steps were taken. But no matter what WAR is an extreme reaction and the last one our country needs in these times. Let us hope/pray that peace and love prevails in these troubled times.
I do hope so CW - war does no one any good except the arms industry!
I totally agree with you.
What a fascinating read! You connect. You have weaved a mesmeric web of words and at the same time you manage to tell a story. Not a common talent. Cheers!
nice article
The Sophist: Thanks for stopping by and commenting - glad you enjoyed the read.
Lgali: Thanks for reading.
Ah ! What a marvelous way Reality has lisped into a fable !
Now for the eternal question .. which came first the chicken or the egg ... will the fabled [;)] sequel be created first and the good people learn of /from it ? Or is it to be that the good people will in fact wake up to a fairy tale ending to live happily ever after .. and that awakening lead to the sequel ?
Happy writing Shal .. would love to hear some moe !
Good reading and incisive too.Like to know what happens next??
hi shalini
the allegory is not missed. wonderful work...keep them coming
Shalini nicely done reflects our lives. Great story. Cheers :)
Hi Tricy
The parable made great reading. Sure there'll be more from you. takes me back to the time you'd tell the story of li'l half chick!
Chicky
What incredible imagination! You have an alternative career waiting for you Shal! :)
Maybe the ancient barter system was better after all. :)
Great hub Shalini!
Thanks everyone for reading and the comments :)
Sorry for the delay in replying - was away for a couple of days.
Very different and very entertaining story Shalini!
Thumbs up2u:)
Thank you compu-smart :)
I hate to say it but..... being in the military..... we are a good people, thank you. Now if the "old money" of LollaLand could over come fear and use the tools set forth and accept not blame others we all can prosper..... Lio is still necessary but a new "technology" will free all people from one source..... use the orb that hangs over all countries..... and solve our problems together. Not having enough lollaleaves...... is always overcome by education, getting out of the comfort zone and being true to yourself..... NOTICE fear is not appart of the solution.... thank you for the hub.... did not know some thought it was about lollaleaves.....
Thank you MrBurton for coming by and reading. If only we could all come together and solve our problems - I agree with you, education is the key.
Very uniquely written! =) I heart your hubs!
*heart* you back too, sweetie - thanks for reading!
Shalini - that is SO creative! I look forward to the sequel
Thanks for coming by and reading, Varsha!
Hi Shalini,
Just stopping to wish one of my favourite Hubbers a joyous 2009! I hope you and your family have fun over the holiday, and start the New Year with lots of love and laughter. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much for the wishes Amanda :)
Shalini: What a wonderful read! Such a superb job! I am envious of your skill.
Where have you been...or more appropriately, where are you? Are you OK? Or were you just a dream, a vision manifested in the deepest part of sleep, vaguely recalled but never to come again? Gone into the either without a word, without a promise?
Speak to me.
Hi Christoph - Thanks so much for you comments :)
I was away Christmas/New Year and am struggling to cope with a huge backlog of work - I'll be back as soon as I do - thanks for noticing :)
The plan worked!! Shalini, you were called out as AWOL in my hub, Hubbers gone AWOL. just to let you know.
Hey Shalini it's great to see your hubber name in the queue. While you're still here, check this out:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Hubbers-MIA
this is what toady's talking about :D
goldentoad, Cris A - thank guys - been soooo busy trying to catch up with work after a fabulous holiday, just didn't have the time to come hubbing - thanks so much for the mention - miss you too and will be back as soon as I can :)
Okay, but don't take too long now. Everybody here needs a classic! (wink)
Old I may be ....a classic I ain't *wink back*
Wow!!! That's all I can come up with. WOW!!! You're a great writer, shalini. No wonder you make the big bucks doing it for a living.
Thank you Proud Mom - got interrupted while I was posting up a comment on yours - coming from you, that's a real compliment!
You're making me blush. I don't hold a candle to you--you can crack C.C.'s code!!!!! :-)
Me? I'm just an ol' advertising has been :D Now you, you've got writer-of-great-books written all over you!! CC's code? That's cos I was sipping on the best codecracker there is - Scotch on the rocks - like he was doing - it clarifies the mind, it does!!
Okay, I'll have my husband take me out tomorrow night, and then give it another crack! You guys just keep me laughing!
I love this story-it's very clever, creative, and well-written. Frankly, it's just like reading a published fable.
Thank you Writer Rider - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Shalini, I'm impressed. This is very, very well written. How have i missed this for so long? No wonder you like my spoonerisim. Qira? I think i know what that is, and it ain't Iran. Oh you're shrp. Great job girl. Great read.
Great topic with a creative flair. Loved it. Well said.
CCR - Thanks so much for reading. I'm glad you liked it :)
MellasViews - Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Quite interesting and definitely a different approach, I loved it.
kindest regards
Thanks so much for coming by and reading Zsuzsy Bee!
goldentoad says:
13 months ago
Man, oh, man, let me be the first to say, that was tremendous.