The Unspoken Dream
Inspired by John Steinbeck's novel: Of Mice and Men
On a sweltering day in the valley, George Milton sat under the shade of a dried sycamore tree, reminiscing about past events and ruminating about a future that could have been. A future that was once gleamed with hope but now seemed to fade into oblivion. Driven by the dream of owning their piece of land, George and his companion, Lennie Small, a man-child with Herculean strength yet the intellect of a child, had worked day in and out with a relentless spirit that was unmatchable.
Their dream was simple but profound. A dream that was conjured not just for a piece of land, but for freedom, autonomy, and most importantly, safety for Lennie. Lennie’s innocence combined with his brute strength had landed them in trouble one too many times. Despite their tireless efforts, the harsh reality of their world seemed to continuously push them further away from their dream.
On this particular day, as George sat under the sycamore, thoughts of Lennie filled his mind. His clumsy friend and his obsession with soft things, petting them, holding them - actions driven by a tender heart that didn't understand its own strength. George was haunted by the memory of the girl in the red dress in Weed, the puppy, and ultimately, Curley's wife, simple casualties of Lennie’s innocent affection.
He remembered Lennie's joy on hearing about rabbits. A simple dream that Lennie held onto, the idea of tending the rabbits on their farm. Lennie's face would light up, his excitement palpable. That dream, those rabbits, they were not just about responsibility for Lennie, they were symbols of acceptance, love and belonging.
The echo of the gunshot that ended Lennie’s life was still fresh in George’s ears. He closed his eyes, forcing back the tears. He remembered Lennie's last words, asking George to recount their dream, one last time. The dream that was shared among them, the vivid description of their future, filled with hope and love.
George wished he could turn back time and change everything. The world they lived in didn't understand Lennie, didn't allow him the simple pleasures he desired. Lennie’s demise was the end of their dream, the end of his dream.
As George sat there, mourning the loss of his friend and their dream, he also mourned the loss of innocence in a world that was unkind to the weak. He yearned for a world where dreams didn't die a premature death, where acceptance wasn't a luxury but a given.
In the end, it wasn't just about mice and men, it was about dreams unfulfilled, about friendship, sacrifice and loss. It was a silent prayer for a world that was more forgiving, more accepting.