A New Era of Sharing: Exploring Community and Abundance
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Chapter 1: A Different Kind of Community
In a transformed world where sharing and caring take precedence, the question arises: will there be enough for everyone?
Old Jenny, a cyborg farmer, surprisingly declined her food ration. Instead, she gestured towards Jody. “I’ll gather what I need from my orchard. You’re welcome to come by later. Bring Mia!”
Jenny's smile directed Jody's attention to Swan Set Six, her community, filled with fruit-laden trees, while remnants of corn lay scattered nearby. Desi, Jody’s companion, frowned but restrained her from pursuing Jenny. “Let it slide for now. Jenny’s fifty, a council-recognized cyborg, and a skilled farmer.”
“I’ve heard she’s one of the few certified in genetic engineering, too. I hope she has enough to eat without her ration,” Jody replied, leading toddler Mia back to Cougar Camp Fourteen after a tiring harvest shift.
Jenny, residing in one of Bird Hollow Watershed's oldest structures, reclined in her hammock. She remembered a time before the 2060s—a period marred by devastation and loss. Her parents, once proud industrialists, owned land, a concept that has since been demonized by the teachings of the Grow Crop Academy, which condemned extreme land ownership disparity as one of the greatest sins of the past.
Jody pondered how sharing was intrinsic to humanity, recalling how Jenny often shared treats with Mia. Decades ago, the world had crumbled, plagues swept through, and the rise of Do Dorps and the Town-Grow Crop megalopolis system took root, alongside genetic and AI advancements that granted special privileges to survivors like Jenny.
Growing Pains
Jenny lay beneath an apple tree when Desi called from the next yard. “Mind if I set up my hammock next to yours?”
“Of course!” Jenny replied. “This is a free country.” Yet, she felt a fleeting pang of possessiveness; for a moment, the tranquil sounds of nature had been hers alone.
Years ago, she discovered her grandfather's book, a relic of a broken lineage. He had described the peasants as "revolting" after losing their land, and a simmering resentment lingered within the Kendrick family. Despite this, Jenny found joy in her pleasant demeanor, believing in the old adage: one reaps what one sows.
As she settled into her hammock, memories flooded back of a time when she was bullied for her family's past. Children would mock her, unaware that she was just a child caught in a system she did not create.
Now, she savored the sweet plums, a product of her own genetic engineering efforts, derived from her grandfather's research. As the sun set in hues of pink, Jody approached with a gesture of sharing.
“Here’s some pasta I thought we could enjoy together since Mia and Tom prefer fruit,” Jody offered.
Jenny welcomed the idea, just as little Mia rushed in, full of laughter and life. A pang of longing struck Jenny; she would never have children of her own due to past plagues. Yet, as the laughter surrounded her, she began to relax, finding solace in the moment.
“Daddy! Come eat my pasta!” Mia exclaimed, tugging at Tom, who scooped her up like a precious harvest.
Jenny whispered to herself, “If you were mine…” but the thought faded into the shadows as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving her with only the melody of a songbird in her mind.
The first video, Harvest On The Hill 2020, explores the themes of community and resilience in a post-apocalyptic world, emphasizing the importance of shared resources.
The second video, We Got our Largest Honey Harvest Ever!, celebrates the joy of abundance and the spirit of collaboration in harvesting and sharing nature's gifts.
In this new era, amidst the fading daylight, the essence of community lies in the shared joys and the lingering hope for a better tomorrow.