(318 words, 90 seconds read)
A few decades from now, an international group of friends embarked on their first-ever journey to the Moon, an adventure humanity had dreamed of for centuries, ever since Neil Armstrong took that “giant leap.”
Their spacecraft touched down gently on the silent, silver dust, a place once romanticized in poetry, politicized in rivalry, and finally democratized by technology.
As they stepped out, wide-eyed and triumphant, they were greeted by a calm, unassuming resident, a moon native.
“Welcome to the Moon,” he said casually, as though receiving tourists was part of his daily routine. “Where are you all from?”
The introductions began, almost instinctively, like a reflex carried from Earth.
“I’m from America.”
“I’m from Israel.”
A man in a flowing robe added, “Saudi Arabia.”
“And I’m from Iran,” said another, standing beside a friend who followed with, “Pakistan.”
From the back, a voice called out, “India!”
Soon came others, China, Russia, Ukraine, each name carrying not just geography, but centuries of history, pride, conflict, and identity.
Each name was dropped like a flag, being planted, minus the soil.
The Moon-dweller listened patiently, his expression slowly turning into one of mild confusion.
“Interesting…” he said, pausing. “I’ve never heard of any of these places.”
An awkward silence hovered, as if gravity itself had briefly returned.
Then, with a gentle smile, a young traveller stepped forward.
“Actually, sir,” he said, “we’re all from Planet Earth.”
The Moon resident’s face lit up with recognition.
“Ah,” he nodded warmly, “that makes sense. Welcome, my friends, from Earth.”
And in that quiet moment, standing on a world untouched by borders, flags, or histories of division, the travellers felt something unfamiliar, yet profoundly simple.
For the first time, they were not nations.
They were not rivals.
They were not identities stitched by politics or past grievances.
They were just… Earthlings.
And perhaps, it took leaving Earth to finally arrive at that realization.
— Promod Puri
promodpuri.com
Promod Puri.com 