Lately, I’ve been sharing the first and second parts of my allegorical story. It’s a piece of fiction I wrote alongside my fifth graders. Here’s the third installment. Enjoy!
“Whoa,” said Milo, as they left the factory. “You were in the zone. What went on there?”
Greta waited until they were alone, then said, “I’ve got a plan. It’s why my brain was working so hard today. I think we can free ourselves from all this work. Milo, I’m going to find Gregorio. Can you help me gather all the day shift kids together? I’d like a word with them before work starts tomorrow.”
“Won’t we get in trouble?”
“Not if we meet by the abandoned building and get everyone home in time for curfew,” Greta responded. “Please?”
Milo exhaled. He knew it was risky to gather, but he also knew how headstrong Greta was. So, Milo quietly knocked on doors and whispered into windows until the daytime workers in Juventa gathered on the outskirts of the village.
There was muttering among the crowd of kids as Greta, side by side with Gregorio and Milo, worked her way to the front. “Friends,” she greeted the group. “There’s something happening right here in Juventa, something happening to all of us.” She nodded to Gregorio. “Everyone, Gregorio knows what Juventa was like long ago, and I think you should know too.”
Gregorio? The young citizens eyed one another curiously. The old guy who’s always telling the stories? A few shook their heads in disbelief.
Gregorio recounted the story of the Juventan elders who first decided to run on child power. He added, “This abandoned building we’re standing outside? It used to be something called a school. I went here as a young boy to learn and play – that is, until our minds were needed for the power factory. It’s where you’d be if you weren’t working in the factory.”
Greta spoke up. “Don’t you see? All those places we watch through our monitors, all those games we watch children play…they’re real. And we don’t get any part of it. Don’t we deserve to? I say we do!”
The crowd began to buzz as kids took in what Gregorio and Greta were saying. One voice piped up, shouting, “Yeah, but what can we do about it? All the adults are doing just fine, so they don’t care.”
“Yes, but they all remember what it was like to be a young Juventan,” said Gregorio. “They all worked every day in the factory to keep things running.”
“Listen, everyone,” Greta said. “I have a plan to get Mrs. Angorio on our side, but I need your help.” She paused, then continued. “Tomorrow, when it’s time to work at your ThinkStation, slow your brain down. Whatever you do, try not to think about much at all. Just let your brain wander – slowly – and let it go where it wants to. I’ll take care of the rest. Got me?”
There were nods of agreement and shoulder shrugs as the crowd quietly scattered.
Greta glanced at Milo. “You think they’ll follow through?”
Milo let out a long breath. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Tune in next week for the conclusion! =)
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
So, Greta has a plan. Will it work? Will she get Mrs. Angorio on her side? Will kids be allowed to be kids? Can’t wait to find out next week.