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KIDS UNITED
It is so much fun to belong to a circle of friends. It lets us share ideas and find out how we all live. Sometimes we live differently, but that's part of the fun. Sometimes we talk differently, but that's how we communicate exciting ideas. Sometimes we look different, but underneath our hair and clothes and skin, we're really all the same. We're a circle, and whether we're boys or girls, we're friends. And that's the most important thing in the world.
This is the second part of our story, where the circle of friends decides on their ultimate playhouse.
TO TREE OR NOT TO TREE
The circle of friends was divided as to what they should have for a playhouse. On Erik's side, was the group who wanted a tree house; on Suzie's side was the group who wanted a fort. Both sides were entitled to their opinion because the circle of friends is a democracy. And democracy means everyone has the right to think what they want, and express those thoughts to others without getting in trouble. It means not always agreeing, but still accepting other people's opinions.
All over the world, people fight for the right to elect their leaders and to have certain rights, like the right to vote. In some countries, people are not allowed to vote. The country is run by a dictator who decides what is right for the people. In other countries, like the United States, people are able to vote for the person they think will best run the country. And so the country is run by leaders who were voted in 'by the people.'
"What does that mean, voted in by the people?" Tommy asked.
"It means that anyone who wants a say gets a say," said Erik.
"A say in what?" asked Maria.
"A say in what happens," said Suzie.
"Like we get a say in whether we're going to have a tree house or a fort?" asked David.
Both Erik and Suzie nodded, and then they laughed a little because it was the first time that they'd agreed on anything lately.
"At least we agree on the fact that it's not just up to us," Erik whispered to Suzie. "It's really up to them." And he indicated all of the friends who had gathered 'round to hear what their two leaders had to say.
"I'll go first," said Suzie and she stood up on a big rock so that she was a little taller than the other friends. She cleared her throat and then she began to speak. She talked about how she and the girl friends were going to build a fort, and that she, Suzie, was the voice of the girls. They all thought that a fort on the ground would be easier for everyone to get to because no one would have to climb. A fort could also grow to accommodate any new friends who joined the circle.
"Thanks for listening," Suzie said as she hopped down.
Next Erik climbed up on the rock and he smiled broadly at all of the friends. He thanked them for listening and for being so interested in what they should all do, and more importantly, what they could all do together.
"We are so much stronger as one big circle," Erik said, "than as two small groups. And as one, we have a very big decision to make. We can build the fort, as Suzie said, and it will be great because it's on the ground. Or we can build a tree house, high in the sky, where the birds sing, and where it will stay dry when it rains. It might not be as big, but it could last longer."
The friends in the circle, all of the boys and all of the girls, listened intently to each side.
"Let's take a vote," said Erik. "We'll use leaves from the trees, and rocks from the ground. If you want a tree house, put your leaf in this pile. If you want a fort, put your rock in this pile."
The friends all thought long and hard about what would be better, and then they began to cast their vote. In the end, there were more rocks than leaves, and Erik was disappointed. But then Ana said: "why not make the fort be just a little bit off the ground?"
"Yeah!" said Tommy.
"And we can use the floor of the tree house as the roof of the fort!" said Niklaus.
Soon the friends were happily building a fort, using the materials from the tree house. Suzie was the leader, but she appointed Erik as her co-leader, and together with all of the circle of friends, they created the best tree-fort ever!
In politics, there are always sides. One group may like one thing, like a tree house, while another group likes a fort. But in the end, both groups are after the same thing: What's best for everyone. The circle of friends voted and together, they made a decision. Even friends who wanted something else pitched in to make the tree-fort the best it could be. That's what politics is all about: making a choice and then making compromises so that in the end, everyone wins.
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