The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

is a superb, profound, and disturbing short story by Ursula LeGuin. You can read it here.

Here in Omelas, the days go by
and each is like the last, a cloudless sky
above a city filled with people, fair
and healthy, prosperous, without a care.
But now and then, one hears a muffled cry

from cellar rooms where childhood goes to die
behind a door whose keyhole frames an eye
in mute appeal. We’re queasily aware
here in Omelas,

of sacrifice that underpins our high
philosophy, the very kites that fly
artistic strokes of color on the air
above us. Is it courage or despair
to walk away, rather than live a lie
here in Omelas?


Collection available! Knocking from Inside