_ Okonko, I need to ask you something. It's perhaps the most difficult mission you'll have to face during your entire Priesthood career. _ The chief of the Unit says, extremely serious.
The boy swallows dry; his shoulders tense up. The chief continues:
_ A school sent an intervention request to the Special Services Unit. But they're very overwhelmed with other problems and asked us to take over the case. _ She pauses, interlacing her fingers _ It's a delicate case of bullying involving a Fabulare child. Do you think you can do it...?
Okonko hesitates. Dealing with children isn't something he has mastered. However...
_ Yes, ma'am! If anyone needs help, I can't deny it!
The school is huge. It occupies the place that had previously been a castle from the time when the Nigrum Empire was not yet unified. The modern construction mixes with the badly carved stone, surrounded by moss.
Okonko is received by a teacher, who explains the situation:
_ We found out, a few weeks ago, that one of our Impundulu* students is suffering discrimination by human children. It seems that he has trouble maintaining his human form and these students are often humiliating him. The parents of these children have already been informed, the students have been switched rooms and the Impundulu is being accompanied by the psychopedagogy team. Even so, we're concerned. This type of behavior is toxic to children's health and harmful to our social stability. So we asked a member of the Ecclesia to talk to the children.
_ I see... _ Okonko looks sad _ I'll try to talk to them, but I want to confirm: What do you want me to say?
The teacher shrugs, mournful. Her eyes seem to say that if she knew the answer, Okonko wouldn't be needed there.
They move on. Some children play in the indoor playground while others remain in class. Okonko remembers his student days: "There's always a small group of implicating children. Empathy's the key to developing respect... Do these kids have problems with that? Hm..."
Finally, the teacher opens a door. Inside the room, a girl and two boys are sitting, with their arms crossed and frowning. The adults come inside. One of the boys lets out a "Hmph!" and turns his face away. The teacher says:
_ Davu, Fayola, Taj. This is Mr. Babantunde, from the Ecclesia. He came to talk to you about what happened to Kasim.
_ I don't wanna! _ Davu lowers his face.
_ They'll scold us again... _ Fayola says, murmuring.
The third child remains silent. Okonko approaches and smiles:
_ Scold you? Did you do something bad to deserve an earful?
Silence. The teacher sits in one of the nearby chairs. Finally, Davu says:
_ We're just playing with Kasim! Right, Taj?
The boy looks away, without answering.
_ And do you think that was a bad thing, Davu? And you, Fayola? Taj? _ Okonko kneels, standing just bellow the children .
Again, the answers are lacking. Fayola seems close to break into tears. After a few seconds, Okonko asks one more question:
_ Do you know why we were so concerned with what you did? Me, the teachers, Kasim's parents. Do you know?
Davu nods "yes". Finally, Taj speaks:
_ Adults only care about the rules. That's why.
_ I wonder...? _ Okonko shows a thoughtful face _ So, why are the rules the way they are? Whoever wrote them must have had a reason for that.
YOU ARE READING
Three Spheres
FantasíaAmadeo is 20 years old young man, with a sword attached to his waist and an insatiable desire for freedom... The burden of his title, and the weight of his cape don't let him forget such destiny that he never chose. However, what he doesn't know is...
