The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

Chapter 40
Terra Libertas
slight headwind blew steadily across Jonathan’s face. Time
A stretched into hours and the rhythmic motion of the condor’s
fl ight made Jonathan drowsy. He dreamed that he was running
down a narrow street, chased by the shadowy fi gures of guards and
their unleashed dogs. “Stop you scalawag – you new newcomer!”
they shouted. Terror gripped him, as he desperately pumped his
legs harder and harder. One fi gure loomed out in front of the others
– Lady Tweed. He heard her breathing down his neck as she lunged
with fat fi ngers to grab him.
A sharp bump woke Jonathan with a start. “What?” murmured
Jonathan still clutching handfuls of the bird’s thick feathers.
They had landed on a beach that looked familiar. The Bard
issued instructions. “Follow this beach along the shoreline.
Continue a mile or so north and you’ll fi nd your bearings.” Thick
clumps of salt grass waved gently over long golden sand dunes. The
ocean looked grey and cold where it lapped the shore. He climbed
gingerly off the back of the bird.
Suddenly Jonathan realized where he was. “I’m home!” he
shouted with joy. He started to run up the sandy slopes of the beach
then halted and turned again to the condor. “But you said you were
taking me to a place where things are done right,” said Jonathan.
“I have,” said the Bard.
“That’s not the way it is here,” argued Jonathan.
“Not yet maybe, but it will be when you make it so. Anywhere,
even Corrumpo, can be a paradise when the inhabitants are truly
free.”
“Corrumpo?” gasped Jonathan. “Most believe they’re free
enough. Lady Tweed told them as much. And the rest are afraid
of freedom, so eager are they to give themselves to the Grand
Inquirer.”