The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Leguin

After reading The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas I was a little confused. The story focused more on the city Omelas rather then the characters, which were very abstract and somewhat weird. The Omelas lived very happy fulfilling lives. Everything about their city, and surroundings were pleasing to them. The only part that had to be sacrificed for this good fortune was the well being of one very unfortunate child. The child must always be kept living in misery and filth and all of her citizens should be told of this when they come of age. “The terms are strict and absolute; there may not even be a kind word spoken to the child” (Pearson 93). Most of the citizens initially become disgusted and upset about the ill treatment towards the child. However, somehow the people of the town eventually become okay with the sacrifice they are making for their good fortune. Sometimes the people do not get over it however. Sometimes when the citizens understand what is happening to the child they walk right out of the city. "The place they go towards is a place even less imaginable to us than the city of happiness. I cannot describe it at all. It is possible it does not exist. But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas" (Pearson 94).

This story was so obviously symbolic it was hard to miss. Symbolic of what I had to ask myself over and over. Perhaps the city of Omelas represents the earth. Perhaps the citizens of Omelas represents the citizens of the world, and perhaps the suffering child represents Jesus. I can see how the city Omelas can seem nice and sweet. The world seems good on the surface. As Christians it is so easy to assume that the world is not good, however at the same time I find myself constantly trying to sneak a peek at the worlds and everything its made of. The “sweet” life that everyone is partaking in. But Jesus is the one that has to suffer. And in order to be apart of “Omelas” or the world, we have to deny Christ, and satisfy ourselves with the here and now. The sweet satisfaction of the joys of the earth, as charming as it may seem. As Christians we need to cry and mourn for the ill treatment of our Lord Jesus and not stay and accept what has been done to him. We need to pick up our crosses and follow him to a better place. A more magnificent place then we can ever dream.