Once upon a time, there was a railway train
that travelled all across a distant land. 

It took people from one beautiful destination to another.
While on board, the passengers feasted on the finest foods.
And as they ate, they enjoyed music 
played by the most talented musicians in the realm.
The passengers were some of the most brilliant
and outstanding men and women to be found.
Conversations ranged over a spectrum of topics, 
and animated debates took place along every corridor.

There was one thing that all the passengers on board were told.
At the end of the journey, the train would run over a cliff.

However, this did not stop people from getting on.
Every new destination brought new travellers.
The food, the entertainment and the conversation on the train
was second to none. 

'We'll get off before the last stop!' was the thought 
of everyone that went on the train.

       .    .    .

The train ran for many years.
And with each passing year, the passengers who went on board
started heeding the warning less and less.
Even the people who made the warning annoucements 
each time the train left a station
started to doubt the words they themselves spoke.

'Who ever heard anything so silly?' the passengers 
began to say themselves.

'The ride will never end!' they exclaimed
as they indulged in every luxury on board.

On the train was an old Engineer.
He was there when the train was first built.
He took pride in the swelling number 
of passengers the train attracted at every stop.

Meanwhile, he heaved a sigh of relief 
as he had just fixed a mechanical fault 
that would have set the train off course.
Then he smiled in satisfaction when he saw that
The Last Available Seat was finally taken.

The train hurtled into the night.





                         Jonathan Koh
                         October 28, 1997.