Freedom of Speech|آزادی بیان

By ( 106 )
“64th story” First Published: Nov.08.2018 human-2099066__340 The leader of an unjust land gathered everyone weekly in the main square of the town. People had to show up in order to respect the leader, or there would be consequences and people didn’t want to get in trouble. mic-1132528__340 The leader always talked about great things about the land like freedom of thought, speech, choice, and dreams, but the civilians never saw those things. Then at the end of each speech, the leader invited people to talk freely and share their thoughts if they disagreed with any part of his speech. The leader insisted that he loved to hear about it to be able to fix it. However, out of thousands of people, not one ever dared to speak up. Until a man named Sam finally did one day. megaphone-3396672__340 Sam said: “We have a rich land full of gold mines, we make tons of money here. Why don’t we have enough schools, hospitals, fair retirement? Why can’t females …?” The leader interrupted: “You see dear people feel free to talk. It is a free land and you all have the rights to share your thoughts. I thank Sam for mentioning all these things that we already are working on it.” silhouette-3378760__340 The speech finished mysteriously. Everyone started looking at each other and talked with their eyes. They were wondering what had happened, but also what a brave man Sam was. He asked questions that they all had wanted to ask for so long. He was stopped in the middle, but at least he was able to ask some of the important questions. freedom-of-speech-156029__340 This encouraged people to gather questions they could ask in the following week’s Congregation. justitia-3222265__340 When it was time for the gathering, the leader began his speech filled with the same old lies. Everyone was looking all around but couldn’t find Sam. No one asked any questions that day. monkey-236861__340 Weeks passed and Sam was never seen again. Once again, out of thousands of people, not one ever dared to speak up.

Dear friends:

You can find my new book “Soroosh” Winner of Canada Book Award, on Amazon all over the world
https://www.amazon.com/dp/177741430X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609877324&sr=8-1
 
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Categories: bedtime story, fable, folk tale, StorytellingTags: , ,

106 comments ›

  1. JOY journal
    November 8, 2018 • 1:49 pm

    Such things never cease, do they? Democracy is very messy, but what a blessing!

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓
  2. sunilmdabral
    November 8, 2018 • 1:54 pm

    True that. Truths are only appriciate when they serve your vested interests.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  3. parikhitdutta
    November 8, 2018 • 3:16 pm

    Ah! That’s sad.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  4. DutchIl
    November 8, 2018 • 3:20 pm

    “It’s a saying they have, that a man has a false heart in his mouth for the world to see, another in his breast to show to his special friends and his family, and the real one, the true one, the secret one, which is never known to anyone except to himself alone…” James Clavell,

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓
  5. anne leueen
    November 8, 2018 • 4:02 pm

    This post could not be more timely. Current events in Turkey with the “disappearance” of a Washington Post journalist and only yesterday a journalist silenced in the US. As always your stories have depth and meaning as well as being entertaining to read.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply ↓
  8. Roshonda N. Blackmon
    November 8, 2018 • 6:15 pm

    Wow. So really, their voices weren’t even respected. Wow…powerful.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  11. Manessah B.
    November 8, 2018 • 8:34 pm

    For some people, the only truth that matters is the truth that goes in line with what they want to hear. Speak what’s real and go against the status quo and you’ll be silenced. Sam is a perfect example of speaking what’s real and challenging beliefs that do not benefit the people. I really love this post, my friend. Really powerful and well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  12. stopociechblog
    November 8, 2018 • 8:37 pm

    The uncomfortable person dies. The ruler is a deceitful cheater and murderer. Man learns that honesty is unpaid.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  13. Crissy
    November 9, 2018 • 10:47 am

    Happening even today. Sad but true. Freedom of speech is quickly becoming a thing of the past, even in our western countries.
    Thank you Laleh.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  14. Professor Taboo
    November 9, 2018 • 6:04 pm

    Love it Laleh! So timely and so very true… throughout history, as I’ve mentioned to you before: the famous Martin Niemöller speech. Remember? I’ll leave this wonderfully profound quote too…

    My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular. — Adlai Stevenson

    Today that’s not the case when your mobster/mafia “leader” sounds like a broken-record, “You’re FIRED! You’re FIRED! You’re FIRED! FBI? YOU’RE FIRED TOO! Intelligence Agencies and Homeland Security? YOU’RE FIRED TOO! Freedom of the Press? YOU’RE DEFINITELY FIRED and AN ENEMY OF THE STATE!!!! Is there anyone else I can fire? I get giddy and aroused when I scream that repeatedly.”

    Talk about everything that is NOT in the spirit of our Constitution, this attitude and mentality is off the charts. 😔

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  15. www.corneliaweber-photography.com
    November 10, 2018 • 3:06 am

    This reminds me so much of somebody we all know…..!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  16. Sorryless
    November 10, 2018 • 4:11 pm

    Laleh,

    Brilliant and powerful, as per usual.

    Freedoms do not belong to the few but to the many, and I think it’s easy to forget this even though we shouldn’t. We can’t afford to.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  17. sherazade
    November 10, 2018 • 10:26 pm

    Una lettura emozionante! grazie.
    shera🌷

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  19. driftyness
    November 11, 2018 • 12:26 am

    I like that your stories don’t always have happy endings. Life is like that, unfortunately. Stories are quite sobering – it’s easy to live in blisfull ignorance.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  21. kutukamus
    November 11, 2018 • 11:00 am

    Been a problem in many places, in one degree or another. Good thing there are blogs now, though. 🙂 (I hope the internet connection is OK there). 🍸

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  22. SonniQ
    November 12, 2018 • 5:59 am

    I’ve read about your book a few times when I came to your site, and again today. With so much going on the world people, especially Americans, live in a cocoon. They really don’t know what is going on in the world. If they can read about it in 5 second blurb they don’t have the attention dosh to absorb it. So often on my social media sites I try to educate people about what is happening but I don’t make much headway. People are stuck in their half truths and don’t want to know. That being said I know I am woefully ignorant about the truth of what goes on in countries of the middle east except to know that women are rarely treated with equality. I want to get your book, tomorrow when I crawl out of my bed where I am reading right. ( writing it down now so make me remember!)

    Also, I know the labor of love that goes into writing and promoting a book you believe in. It is important that authors and writers support and share the work of others. Without that support means there will be people who never get the chance to read it. So look for a sale from me tomorrow. If it is as good as it appears to be I will hapy to it with my followers. share

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Laleh Chini
      November 12, 2018 • 12:58 pm

      You are so kind my dear friend. Thanks for your support and kind words. I hope you like my book. The purpose of writing this book was for the world to know what really is going on, and this is only a drop in an Ocean of cruelty. Can’t wait to read your review. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  23. aruna3
    November 14, 2018 • 7:12 pm

    So much sad thing in Iraan.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  24. calmkate
    November 14, 2018 • 8:59 pm

    Ouch too close a parallel to what is going down in our current “democracies” … good one Laleh!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  25. Ankur Mithal
    November 22, 2018 • 2:25 pm

    Those of us who live in lands where we can express ourselves should be thankful. We need to keep working at it to ensure it is not frittered away.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  26. Atul Depak
    November 26, 2018 • 4:08 pm

    You write so well and the message u get across is strong. I am so inspired by your words. Currently I am also writing on free speech (law on free speech in India) and will be posting it soon

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  27. Bette A. Stevens
    November 28, 2018 • 10:44 pm

    A timeless story we all need to ponder. Thanks so much for sharing it. Fear remains a motivator to all of humanity and it is often only the brave ones who speak up. Your story gives us all fair warning. America’s first president had something to say about it–“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
    ― George Washington

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓
  28. Ultra
    November 29, 2018 • 7:28 am

    Your parables teach other people.
    I welcome you cordially.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  29. janetsm
    December 4, 2018 • 8:51 pm

    This is so scary, even as we see freedom of speech under attack in the United States and around the world; however, when this happens even in the United States, how does the rest of the world keep up their hope?

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  30. joylennick
    December 8, 2018 • 8:49 am

    Thanks for liking my piece on the word ‘Labyrinth’ Laleh. My eyes are filled with tears on reading your piece about freedom of speech. Nowhere’s perfect…but we are so lucky to have that in the West. All credit to you. Take care. Hugs Joy xx .

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  32. utahan15
    February 27, 2021 • 9:10 am

    tis a litany
    iran, iraq
    syria
    north korea
    all of the russias
    most of africa
    arab lands
    so shah or the religion
    free
    to be
    brave
    and offed
    ala khasoggi

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  34. Lokesh Sastya
    February 27, 2021 • 10:58 am

    Amazing story Laleh…if you spread this story to a big mass, they’ll get benefit. You see, your story is short but it has a vast impact. Thank you so much.🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  35. Orvillewrong
    February 27, 2021 • 11:29 am

    Sometimes freedom of speech has to be fought for!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  36. rkrontheroad
    February 27, 2021 • 2:03 pm

    A fable beautifully told, but so true in many lands. We must cherish the freedom of speech we have where we live. Glad to have found your site.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  37. anne leueen
    February 27, 2021 • 9:09 pm

    This story is one that plays out in many places in the world. Sam was “disappeared”. Tens of thousands of people have been disappeared in South American countries and many other countries in the world. Thank you for another meaningful story Laleh.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  38. Crissy
    March 1, 2021 • 12:35 am

    Great story Laleh, Probably taking place closer to us than we think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  39. morishige
    March 8, 2021 • 4:31 am

    So poignant. Here we have a poet who have been missing since late 1998.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  41. aruna3
    April 10, 2021 • 2:38 pm

    Leaders don’t like other to make as same they are.they have to kill the freedom of speech.so sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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