Black or Red

Once upon a time there was war between Japan and China. It was quite a difficult war to fight not because other wars are simpler but because the similarities in the looks of the nationals of both countries was striking. It was an uphill task distinguishing between Japanese and Chinese. As a result, Chinese warriors accidentally shot fellow Chinese soldiers before they could ascertain their nationality and vice versa.
In a bid to make the most out of the war, the two countries called a meeting and decided to agree on some rules of engagement.
“We need to be able to distinguish between our soldiers” they said. After hours of deliberation, someone suddenly came up with a brilliant solution.
“Let’s have two different colours for our uniforms” they finally agreed. And so the Japanese chose black as their uniform colour, while the Chinese chose red. One seemingly smart chinese soldier decided to sew his own uniform black an red. He sewed the front with red cloth and joined a black material with it to sew the back.
On a particular day when the battle lines were drawn, the smart soldier went  and stood in the midst of the battle field with his back turned to the Japanese army while he faced the Chinese army. Right in the middle of both armies he stood with his hand raised in the air as if to say “Who else but me can do this?”
Immediately, cheers rang out though strangely from both sides of the battle field as the chinese and japanese  both hailed the brave soldier, each  army thinking that the soldier was their’s. Amidst so much euphoria and pomp, the soldier decided to turn his back on the chinese army and face the japanese army. He didn’t realise that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life. One of the archers of the Chinese army on seeing the black uniform which was what his rear showed took a shot at him. At the same time, an archer from the Japanese army sent an arrow speeding in the direction of his heart.
SMACK! SMACK!! Both arrows hit him in the chest at the same time. He clutched at them in agony as he sank to the earth in throes of death.
What had he done wrong? Where did he miss it? How come his glory was so short lived? Why was he struck fatal blows by those who just sang his praise a few minutes ago?
He sat on the fence. He thought that he’d be safer if he didn’t stick to one army completely. He believed he could avoid the death, hatred and wickedness that was going on if he didn’t choose any side. He ended up getting killed by both sides.
How many people today are like this smart guy? People don’t want to say a strong “NO” or a hot burning “YES”. They want to be available to both sides of the moral, ethical and right divide at all points in time. They are neither builders nor destroyers. They are dressed in black and red, not in black or red. They are not ready to die for anything and would live and die for nothing.
They don’t want to be loved or hated by anyone. They are destructively phlegmatic. They will be ultimately be disowned and wrecked by both sides. You can not afford to not be known for where you stand. Someone said “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything”. What do you stand for? Where do you stand? What will you not compromise or negatotiate for? Don’t you just join the loudest ovation company? “If you can’t beat them, join them” – Isn’t that a favourite saying of yours?
If you wont be red or black, please don’t come to the battle field for you are not worthy of the honour.

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