(picture taken from http://www.asjarra.com/files/tig/updates/vulture.jpg)
Behind every picture, there will be a story.
“Help me” words are uttered out from a 7 year old kid. The engine sound of trucks passing by him but no one seems to notice that poor kid who is trying to make his way to where there trucks are heading to.
There was a United Nation medical camp being set up a few kilometers away. Struggling for survival, the kid slowly makes his way to the camp seeking for help. Now it’s just meters away from the camp, apparently the kid is exhausted as the heat of the sun is wearing him down causing him to start crawling towards the camp.
“Arrk”, “Arrk”. The sign of danger is looming around the sky, as a vulture spotted a potential weaken prey. Realizing that his life is in danger, the kid starts to panic and crawl as fast as he can but nature isn’t helping him at all, the burning hot sun is draining his energy, also the kid hasn’t eaten for days and the tiredness is starting to take its toll. Soaring right above its prey and scouting every movement of it. In matter of time, the vulture will be able to feast on its prey.
This is
Africa, a third world country. Development here has always been slow even with the aid of the UN, things only starts to gradually improve, but the bottom line is, it’s still at ground zero. Recently, there is a new outbreak of diseases killing hundreds and leaving millions in need of medical attention. “The people of
Africa, we assure you that we will do our outmost duty to aid you during this critical situation.” That was the speech made by UN General. With billions of viewers all over the world, concerning about this crisis that the Africans are facing, news reports, media crews were being sent over to the country itself reporting live with what’s the latest happening and developments.
“Do something, do it now.” Rallies calls can be hear in the streets, there is a sense of urgency in the air. Banners were all of the places and signs of messages are directing to the UN, urging them to act now and fast. Soon, planes, ships are starting to arrive in the native land. Supplies donated from many countries are being brought over there to aid the people. Within days, camps were being set up and people across the native land were gathering around the area, for treatment and food supplies. Most of the Africans managed to get there but one little kid is still trying to overcome all odds to make it to the camp.
“Tick, tick.”
Seconds passed.
Within the kid, time is running out as he struggles across the dirty and diseased patch of land. The will power inside him is slowly fading, he didn’t even have the energy to scream out for help or to stand up and waving to incoming vehicles. Literally, getting the attention of people or rather getting help is impossible.
“That’s it, it’s over.” These words keeping repeating itself inside his mind, finally, the vulture long wait has come to an end, its prey is death, lying motionlessly on the huge patch on land. The vulture strikes on his prey, feasting every flesh it could get on his body.
As we take some time to look back at this picture, it tells a saddening story behind it, a particular story about a kid fighting for his survival. His family was wiped out by this deadly diseased, at such a tender age, leaving him to fight for his life himself is hard. Focusing on the big picture on fighting the diseases and how well the UN managed to salvage this crisis, this small little picture tells a whole new different story with only a vulture and the kid inside it. It goes into a little guy world, the will to walk from a long distance just to get to the camp. The long journey finally ended for him. “Death Journey” that’s what it was supposed to be. He didn’t survive, life ended for him before he could live for another day.
Now as we recalled back about this crisis, we talk about a little kid who hasn’t live to the fullest. For him, his entire life didn’t last long as his journey in this world has come to an end.
Learn to cherish what is given to you, being fortunate is a blessing and never take things for granted.
Peace.
You’ve done something interesting with the photograph, but it doesn’t meet the ideas we talked about in class. It’s sad, but it’s not a tragedy. This child didn’t bring this downfall upon himself because he questioned the moral superiority of God.