Page 81 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 3

Conflict and misunderstanding will come of course;
No human community exists otherwise.
It wasn’t foolish optimism which led me
To downplay the massive problems lying ahead.

Rather it was my own profound observation
That enthusiasm can carry all before it,
Relegating even the most violent feud
To the status of a minor irritation,

And giving sustenance to the drooping spirit
In times of physical hardship and mental doubt;
Crises surmounted by common activity
Build greater unity than years of soft living.

Now my plans are about to be set in motion:
Here the solid outer wall shall be constructed,
There the granary, there the reservoir and bath;
Once begun, this idea will need no spokesman.

Yes, all we need is a couple of hours of work,
And the others will grasp the substance of my dream,
See the new-grown tree in all its springtime glory,
Feel their own fast-strengthening limbs merge into it!

RIVAL 1: (approaches UTOPIAN) It’s all over, buddy. You can go
back to sitting under that same old tree.

UTOPIAN: What are you saying? Where are the others?

RIVAL 1: They’ve come and gone.

UTOPIAN: Gone? Why? There’s work to be done!

RIVAL 1: No, there’s not. They all had second thoughts about your
crackpot scheme. Not one of them will support you now.

UTOPIAN: I don’t understand. Everyone was so enthusiastic, even
people I didn’t expect to be.

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