the soldier
15 years, 11 months & 25 days ago
6th Nov 2008 12:42 A man and woman got a phone call from their much loved son who had been sent off to fight in a war. They hadn't heard from him in a while and were to be speaking to him, though they noticed he sounded strange. Eventually, he got to the reason for his call.
"Mum, Dad, There's somethin I need to ask you."
"Go ahead, son. You know you can ask us anything."
"I'll be coming home soon for Christmas..."
"That's great news!"
"Yes,but..."
"What is it, son? Is there a problem?"
"No, but I need to ask you a favour."
"Of course. What is it?"
"Well, I have a friend who needs somewhere to stay for a few weeks, and I was wondering if it would be alight if he came here."
"Sure, no problem. Of course he can come; he's your friend!Is that all?"
"Er, no, actually"
"Well, what is it?"
"My friend was in an accident, and he got injured recently."
There was a pause. "Oh. How badly?"
"He had to have his leg amputated."
"That's awful!"
"So can he still come, then?"
Hi parents hesistated. "Disabled people are a lot to handle, son. We'd need to change a lot, it'd be too much work. We're sorry, but it would just be too difficult. We can't cope with someone like that. You'll hve to tll your friend to find somewhere else, son."
There was another pause.
"Is that alright, son?"
"Yes, it's fine. Sorry to bother you."
The soldier never cam home that Christmas. The enxt week, the man and woman got sent a letter saying their son had died.
"Tell me, pleaee," begged the boy's mother, turning to an officer for comfort. The enemy didn't make him suffer?
The officer looked at her, shock etched into his face. "I thought you knew. Your son wasn't killed on the battlefield... He commited suicide... Jumped off tehtop of a building."
The parents couldn't believe their ears. What could make their bubbly, bright boy take his own life? They asked to his body, hoping there had been a terrible mix up. There hadn't.
But while they were looking at the boy of their only son, they noticed something odd about him. He only had one leg.
Everyone should be treated fairly. It doesn't matter whether you the person or not. Don't let discrimination get in your ay.