Compassion in the Aftermath of War

Near the borderlands of the kingdom of Microsoft, dark smoke fills the sky. Not far from the great wall lies the charred ruins of a village, still smoldering. Wisps of smoke continue to rise from the village, though it has been at least two days since enemy forces breeched the wall and burned the village to the ground.

A lone knight surveys the damage. His gleaming, white armor stands in stark contrast against the backdrop of charcoal-black ruins. The knight's armor is quite different than that of other knights usually seen in the kingdom. Their jet-black armor adorned with the distinctive four-paned flag insignia of King Windows identifies them as the agents of peace in the kingdom of Microsoft. From what kingdom is this foreign knight who dares pierce the defenses of the wall? On his armor, is not a fierce animal such a lion or a dragon or a bear but instead a simple drawing of a docile penguin.

Rubble and ruin lie ahead of him, the smoky warmth still rising from the recently burned village. He stops and dismounts to rest and catch a breath among the soot and smoke. Out the corner of his eye, he sees motion among the coals. Walking toward the spot, he sees it is nothing but a raven feasting on the carcass of some unfortunate victim. Then, a whisper of a moan filters into his ears. Scarcely ten feet in the other direction, a blackened figure lies in the charred rubble.

The knight observes the form of a woman and calls out, "Hello? Can you hear me?" The response is a dry cough, and then a frail whisper, "Water! I... need... water!" Swiftly, the knight hurries to his steed and returns to the spot with a flask of fresh, clean water. The flask is received with weak hands, and the first few sips are met with a series of convulsive coughs. After about a minute, the coughs subside. The knight studies the woman as she drinks the life-giving liquid.

The king of Microsoft does not care for the people ravaged by an enemy virus invasion. He feels that once the enemy is destroyed, no problems remain. There are plenty of subjects in his kingdom. Why save the weak and the injured? They are only a burden! This is not the sentiment of the people of the land of Linux. Every person is valued in the land of Linux, and white knights often search burned-out villages in the kingdom of Microsoft for any signs of life. Because of these missions, many people escape the oppression of the kingdom of Microsoft to live in the freedom of the land of Linux.

The woman has drunk her fill and now speaks to the knight, "Thank you! You have saved my life!" The knight responds, "You are a life worth saving."

Upon seeing the knight's gleaming white armor the woman asks, "Why is your armor not black? What country do you come from?"

"From the village of Mint in the land of Linux," is the reply. "There are many from the kingdom of Microsoft who have sought refuge there. Would you like to return with me?"

"I have not heard of this land of Linux," responds the woman. "Is there peace there? Are the people good?"

"There is peace and the people are very good, with each helping his neighbor," replies the knight.

"I should like to see this place," says the woman.

"Then let us be on our way. It is not far from here."

The knight's strong arms assist the woman onto his horse, and they are soon on their way toward the land of Linux.  As they ride, the woman dreams of her new life in this strange and wonderful land.