IGNORANCE

As if awakening from a dream, Innocence shakes off his memories and walks back to the mirror. He runs the comb through his slick black hair, smiles into the mirror and says, “Flawless.”

Turning around he walks out of the office past Miss Spelling’s desk and says to her, “I’ll be back momentarily. If I get any messages, write them down. And use your dictionary.”

“Yes sir,” Miss Spelling replies.

Innocence walks out of the outer office, down the hall, up to a door that has a sign on the glass that reads Secretary of State of Mind. Over the door there is a wooden plaque with big bold black letters burned into it that read, WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW WON’T HURT YOU.

Innocence reads the sign to himself and shakes his head in disbelief as he enters.

Sitting behind another large desk is a small boy the same age as Innocence. His office is rather disorganized with papers cluttered all over the desk. The drapes behind him are pulled shut so the boy sits in the dark. He is dressed in a wrinkled shirt, half tucked into his trousers that are badly in need of pressing and his shaggy blonde hair is uncombed and matted showing off his bad hair cut. This is the office of Ignorance. How he ever rose to the position of Secretary of State of Mind is a mystery to Innocence. Ignorance has no formal education. He is inexperienced. He has no knowledge and he lacks common sense. Still it is his position and Innocence, being open, unsuspicious and trusting, figures he deserves the respect that the office entitles him to.

“Good morning, Ignorance.” Innocence says.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Innocence?” the boy asks as he stands to greet his boss.

Innocence sits in a chair directly in front of Ignorance’s desk and says, “I was concerned about something that I heard.”

“And what was that?” the boy asks.

“Well Ignorance, I have tried to be open, honest and frank in dealings with you, taking consideration for your handicap.” Innocence refers to the fact that Ignorance is blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other.

Ignorance nods.

“Let me say this, whenever I ask anyone about you, the first thing that comes out of their mouth is, ‘Ignorance is Bliss!’ Also your illiteracy and inexperience does not hinder you from imputing your opinions. As a matter of fact your Know-It-All approach is rather disarming to those who oppose you. Now understand me, I don’t mean to interfere with your office… but what is this I hear that you have hired three new assistants?”

“Now just a minute Innocence,” Ignorance stands up knocking over a stack of papers on his desk, “how I operate this department is my business!”

Innocence pats the air. “Now calm down Ignorance. I am not trying to tell you how to do your job. We all know what a great job you are doing around here…” Innocence looks around at the messy office. “Who are these guys anyway?”

“They are Uneducated, Unaware and Uninformed.” Ignorance answers with a gleam in his eye.

“And why do you think you need these three assistants?” Innocence’s asks.

Ignorance leans into the stack of papers on his desk. He looks around and then quietly whispers to Innocence.

“I have heard a rumor that in much wisdom there is much grief and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow, so I have hired these three to keep Wisdom and Knowledge far away from Castle Glade.”

Innocence stares at Ignorance in amazement, not quite sure what to say about what he has just heard. Innocence gets up quietly and walks to the door. He turns around once again and looks at Ignorance then shakes his head in disbelief and walks out.