I'm not going to say how long ago I wrote this, because it's slightly depressing, but this is my first narrative essay which I wrote in my early college years. I like the story and am hoping to one day turn it into more than a short story. So, here you go...
From the balcony, Jennifer Waters watches anxiously as people enter the New York City Art Gallery. She listens to the buzzing of voices down below.
"Who is the artist?"
"Has anyone met her?"
"Has anyone seen her work?"
Jen snuck into the gallery earlier that day to make sure everything was in place. The first part of her exhibit was placed on a black pedestal in the center of the room, and uncovered for the public to see. The second part of her exhibit, the photographs, were arranged along the four walls, and hidden behind heavy black velvet curtains. The balcony, circling the entire room, would give her the perfect spot to observe everyone entering the gallery without being seen. Now, all Jen had to do was wait for the gallery to open their doors.
Already a crowd has gathered around the center attraction, the ivory castle. Standing almost two feet high it looks as if it came straight out of a medieval fairytale. A gothic castle carved from one of the largest pieces of pure, snow-white ivory ever seen. It is as smooth as glass, and so fragile that the softest touch will shatter it into a million pieces. Every tower, every stone carved wit such precision it must have take the artist a lifetime to create. A work of art, so extraordinary mere words can not describe it, towering above the awestruck onlookers from its pedestal. How any one person was able to create anything so exquisite is beyond imagination to those looking upon it.
"What a spectacular piece of art!"
"It's the most exquisite work I've ever seen."
"I wonder if it's for sale?"
"It would make the most wonderful conversation piece in our home."
"How much do you think it's worth?"
"If only they knew what it took to get it here," Jen thought. "The government papers and regulations, trying to convince the US Government to allow ivory into the country is no small feat. They'll find out soon enough." She was warned that such a drastic move might not go over well with the public, but it is a risk she knows she has to take. They may be shocked, but once they see and hear what she has to say they will understand.
Everything is going exactly as Jen hoped. Those gathered in the front gallery are mesmerized with the ivory castle, unable to take their eyes from this masterpiece of pure perfection, but like every castle with its magnificent architecture and lush gardens comes a dark secret lying hidden from within its walls.
The crowd forming below is anxious to meet this mysterious artist. As frightened as Jen is feeling about what their reaction will be to her exhibit she knows she must do this. Nothing will change without their help. The atrocities and murders being committed will continue unless someone opens the publics' eyes to the truth.
She slowly descends the stairs as the faces below turn towards her. All eyes are on her as she clears her throat, takes a deep breath, and begins to speak. "Hello, I thank each and every one of you for coming tonight. My name is Jennifer Waters, and I'm the artist everyone has been talking about."
The crowd begins to applaud. "I hope they're still applauding with this is over," she thinks. As the crowd settles down Jen continues.
"I am a wildlife photographer, and have just returned to the states from a one year expedition in Africa. I was drawn there for the opportunity to study the wildlife and culture. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it was also one of the most devastating and eye opening experiences I have ever had. I, probably like many of you here tonight, was unaware of the poaching that's even now running ramped in many parts of Africa, and this is what has motivated me to put together this exhibit. I ask two things from all of you here tonight, first, take a long, hard look at the ivory castle, and think of what it represents to each of you. It's a priceless work of art, and I would like to thank everyone who assisted me in obtaining it as part of my exhibit. The second, is that if after seeing the photographs you are as moved as I have been, please take a few minutes to look over the literature being passed out. Now, if I can have the curtains opened."
On queue the curtains are drawn back and the photographs reveal themselves. Gasps come from among the crowd as Jen stands silently at the foot of the stairs, for what meets their eyes is death. Along all four walls are photographs of animals that have been brutally murdered for their ivory, the glassy eyes of once majestic creatures starring back at them. African elephants and rhinos, once free to roam the earth, are now forced to flee for their lives. Merciless, bloodthirsty men with only dollar signs in their hearts stalk these creatures until one can be singled out from the herd. Cornered, the animal tries to fight for its life, thrashing and stomping trying to find an escape. The men maliciously move in, spearing and shooting the defenseless creature as it screams in agony for help. As the animal becomes weak from loss of blood their tusks and horns are viciously torn and chopped from their bodies wile they are still alive. They are then left in a pool of their own blood to die a slow and agonizing death. The men who are capable of such malicious acts of brutality sell the ivory to the highest bidder, so it can then be resold to the public. Anyone purchasing even the smallest piece is guilty of contributing to the continuance of this viscous, inhumane act of murder.
There is complete silence in the room as small groups gather before each picture, slowly moving from one to another. Jen watches each of their faces. Some are angry as if they want to scream at the top of their lungs at the injustices of the world. Others have tears slowly running down their faces, but in the eyes of each person is the look Jen was hoping for, the same look that was in her eyes when she knew she would dedicate her life to stopping the senseless murders of these beautiful creatures.
Jen slowly walks to the front of the crowd, "I realize that these photographs are extremely disturbing, but nothing any of you see here can compare to being there, to actually seeing these animals, their lifeless bodies laying before you. The rancid smell of death and decay assailing your nostrils, the sound of vultures overhead waiting to flock in for a free meal, even the strongest of men become ill. It's beyond any emotion any of you have ever felt before. It's now my life's work to do anything and everything I can to stop this, and that's why all of you are here tonight. I need your help. The public must be aware of what is going on even as we speak. As more people become aware, the sale of ivory will drop, and once there is no longer a market for illegal ivory sales the poaching will stop. Become aware. Become involved. Make the choice of life, not death."
A few hours later, as the crowd slowly files out of the gallery no one could bring themselves to look upon the ivory castle, a memorial to so many slain animals. A few hours later, as Jen walks out of the gallery to her car a single tear runs down her face, knowing the first battle of a very long war has been won.
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Although the story is a work of fiction, the description of how the poachers kill these animals is accurate. It takes too long to actually kill them, so they hack at them and shoot them until they are too weak from blood lose to move or fight back. It breaks my heart to think there are actual human beings in this world who are capable of this level of brutality. But there are. If you are interested in learning more on this subject, below are a few links.
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-07-25-000-elephants-poached-in-africa-1
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rhinoceros/african_rhinos/poaching_crisis_african_rhinos/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21018429
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