Short+Story+Presentation

If you were offered one chance  at Immortality...

Would You Embrace It?
Imagine you discovered the Fountain of Youth..  Imagine you discovered a Fountain that's water grants the drinker eternal Immortality.  Imagine everyone you knew drank from this Fountain, and became mortal.  Imagine you didn't.

Imagine you thought maybe Immortality wasn't a synonym for happiness. What would you do?

Synopsis: A young girl lives in a dystopian futuristic world, where, after a previous revolt, the government does it's best to keep it's citizens from having any control. In this world, a young girl with huge aspirations discovers something that her civilization has been searching for for hundreds of years. She discovers the Fountain of Youth, a fountain with the ability to grant it's drinker eternal youth. But this protagonist comes to the realization that maybe eternal youth isn't something to strive for.
 * IMmortality

Maybe the ability to fight old age isn't the solution to the problem.

Story:

 





Erin Skinnider-

I think I've found the Fountain of Youth. Until now, it has only been a myth in our society, but I think I have found it. I was walking alone in the woods, earlier today. I was alone, as usual, and looking for some food to eat. I then came across a beautiful lake, sparkling like diamonds even though the sky was grey, and the clouds hid the sun. I first suspected it was not an ordinary lake, when I saw swans, a bird that has been extinct for over 200 years! Swans and many other animals that used to portray peace became extinct in about 2050, after civilians attempted an uprising. Thousands were killed, and only 300 survived in what was previously known as “North America”. Ever since, our government has enforced very strict rules on our society, to ensure we never try anything like that again. Well, I was walking over to the lake, until something caught my eye, and I jumped back. I was staring in confusion at beautiful multi colored fish, swimming happily in this strange lake. I then remembered a lesson in school, long ago telling us how our government was unceasingly searching for a magical lake, or fountain, called the Fountain of Youth. The Fountain Of Youth was supposedly a magical fountain that grant’s its drinkers mortality. This fountain was rumored to be somewhere near our district, and was discovered hundreds of years ago for the first time. As I was processing all this information, I realized that if I became responsible for presenting this discovery to my district officials, it would definitely increase my chances of fulfilling my one and only dream. Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to make a change in my world. Everything is so grim and unpleasant now days. Stories are told of times when one's comfort was the main priority of many people, to make money. the "money" that is rumored about does not exist anymore. Everyone is treated equally, to ensure no one attempts to rise beyond out government. Anyways, I've always wanted to become president! Be completely and utterly in charge. As I said before, when a democratic system was used in government, it just led to a power struggle, and ultimately an uprising, so all decisions are made entirely by my government. I jumped back up and started racing back towards my district, after I made this realization. I had never been happier in my life! When I got home, I wasn't surprised to see my mother yelling at my father and siblings. My mother expects much more from my siblings and myself than we can actually give her, and I know she knows it. I decided it wouldn't be the best time to tell her about my discovery, so I decided to head to my best friends house. Lindsay has been my best friend ever since I can remember. We met when we were young, and have stayed together ever since. I walked to her house, giddy with the realization of the effects of my new discovery. When I got to her house, Lindsay’s parents quickly informed me that Lindsay was too busy studying to talk to me. After hearing this, I felt a bit disappointed. I had just discovered something potentially revolutionary, but had no one to share it with, or to confirm it was in fact the Fountain Of Youth. As I was thinking of someone, ANYONE, to show my discovery too, I noticed the president’s limo discreetly leaving the district. Our district is the most hopeless district in North America, therefore the president trys to make his visits as infrequent as possible. As I was thinking this, the possibility that the government would be ecstatic to know about my discovery. Without even second-guessing myself, I began running in the general direction towards the parliament buildings. If no one else wanted to listen to me, I would tell people who would be interested in my discovery. When I got there, I contemplated running straight towards the receptionist’s bullet-proof desk, and letting her know straight away about, discovery, instead of waiting 20 minutes in the frigid, barren waiting room, surrounded by security, to put my name on the waiting list. As soon as the receptionist saw what I was visiting to talk about, I wasn’t forced to wait 4-8 hours in the crowded, sweaty waiting room. I was quickly directed to the vice president’s office, as the president had “unfortunately” just left the district.

When I entered his office and announced what I had discovered, he immediately hung up the phone, put his paperwork to the side and asked for more information. I told him everything about the mysterious lake. I told him how I found it, where I found it, and all of the amazing features that surrounded this mysterious lake. He was fascinated by the birds, and the plants, which had been extinct for the past centuries. I’ve never felt so important, and so useful in my life. This motivated me to tell him absolutely everything that I had seen. I didn’t even think about the consequences.

After I thoroughly explained my situation, we immediately embarked on a secret car trip to the forest. The car ride was tense with the excitement both of us felt. When we reached the lake, the vice president’s jaw dropped as he took in the full beauty of the lake. He immediately made many phone calls, and in less than 10 minutes, TV crews, giant machines and even the President were all staring in awe at this magical lake.

10 years later.

10 years ago, I found the Fountain of Youth. For some delusional reason, I assumed the discovery of the fountain would give our society more joy and happiness. I thought that the government would be more easy-going, and the rules would be less strict. Instead, it is the exact opposite. There is war, there are famines, and most of all, no one is safe. Because no one is dying, the population is increasing too fast, and supplies are running out. Due to the lack of supplies there are daily fights in the town square to get a hold of the last apple, or loaf of bread. People are being killed daily. After the initial shock of the Fountain of Youth was finished, people were rushing to get a taste of mortality. I haven’t drunken any of the water though. I haven’t told anyone, but after seeing the state of our society, I followed my gut, and threw my glass of water into some dirt. Now, every time I look outside I see a beautiful apple tree that stays alive throughout the year.

I was entirely my fault. I wish I could of gone back 10 years and kept the secret of this beautiful lake to myself. Now, the lake is destroyed. The animals were all killed immediately, so they wouldn’t bring back the memories of 2000, and our society is more disruptive than before. I should of known something so magical would bring out such a disgusting aspect of human nature.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 19px;">5) In the beginning of the story my main character doesn't think for herself. She's just a nameless girl, invisible to everyone in her society. By the end of the story, she's willing to make a difference, and is excited to get her voice heard. She changes from being a shy quiet girl to a confident, independent woman. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 19px;"> 6) My story is ironic because, instead of eternal life being a good thing, like in most stories, my character sees the potential of it becoming a bad thing, while most people drink the water, although they know nothing about it's side effects. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 19px;"> 7) The whole story is a theme for the fact that many powerful people think they know what they want, when actually it usually ends up turning out horribly wrong..

8) The themes of my story are taking chances, and hoping for too much.