The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

Chapter 29 • New Newcomers 169
Jonathan thought about all the space he had seen on Corrumpo,
all the uninhabited forests and open fi elds. Most people avoided the
wilderness and preferred the crowds and activity of city life.
Then Madam Ins answered Jack, “My husband made those very
same arguments against new newcomers. He always said that new
newcomers must fi rst learn our language and customs before they
can be allowed to stay. They must also have money, skills, selfsuffi
ciency, and they shouldn’t take up any space. My husband
drafted a new law to identify and deport people that didn’t qualify,
but there was a glitch. The description of illegal new newcomers
applied more to our own kids than to talented people like Jiyo and
Shar.”
Two men in stiff uniforms barged through the doors, each man
being tugged by a ferocious black dog on a leash. They marched
directly up to Madam Ins, who shrank in fright from the dog’s
heavy panting and drooling fangs. One of the men motioned for the
guard to unlock her leg irons. In a deep monotone, he read from a
document, “Dear Madame Ins, We wish to axtend ...” He paused
to show the letter to the other man, whispered, then started again.
“Dear Madame Ins, We wish to extend our sincere apologies for this
unfortunate misunderstanding. Madame Ins, you can be assured
that this whole matter is being taken care of at the highest levels.”
Visibly relieved, she hastily followed her escorts down the long
hall without daring to look back at Jiyo or Shar. The rest watched in
dead silence that was broken only by the clank of a restless chain.
Once Madam Ins was out of sight, the guards turned on Jiyo and
Shar, unlocking and separating them from the group and from each
other. Roughly shoving them in the opposite direction, the guards
yelled, “Off you go, scum. Back to where you came from.”
“We no harm!” pleaded Shar. “We die!”
“That’s none of my doing,” grumbled the guard.
The fi sher woman waited until they turned down the stairwell
and the door slammed behind them, then she mumbled under her
breath,
“Yes it is.”
Jonathan trembled slightly, thinking of the fate that lay ahead for
the couple and maybe even for himself. He looked up and asked the