The Story of Definition

by Deborah Afolayan

November 6, 2015

If someone

decided to look up

“Deborah”

in the dictionary,

there would be statement

that read

“see ‘film’”.

When that person turns to the word

“film”,

they would see a symbol.

The symbol would be a mix of yellow and gold,

with the letter “E” at its center,

designed in a way that can only be described

as elegant.

Under it would read

“see ‘dragon’”.

Curiously,

they would turn to “dragon”.

There would be a picture

with a black dragon

flying through the air,

with a friend on his back,

and eyes shining bright.

One could not help but think

that it was a beautiful picture.

Under the picture

would be a caption:

“see ‘fiction’”.

Hopefully,

they are invested enough to see where this leads them,

so they turn the page.

Finding the word “fiction”, they begin to read:

“Fiction is

the embodiment of what we secretly hope and dream for.

It is the product of our

vivid imaginations.

See ‘doctor’”.

And so the journey would continue.

The reader would travel

through countless adventure,

where time

simply isn’t linear.

They would read

of times well spent with friends

and times spent alone.

They would read

of the accomplishments that I

take pride in, but

do not let dictate where

my next success will come from.

They would read words

that describe

my determination,

my peculiarity,

my strengths,

and my faults.

They would read the words

that show

my dedication

to myself

and to those I care about.

Passions,

habits,

and hobbies:

all laid out within

words

and pictures,

in order to describe

what makes up

this human being

that lives among billions.

But they will not have to travel forever,

because a dictionary is extensive,

and like us,

constantly being rewritten.

Eventually,

they will arrive to my final word…

“one”.

And it would be defined with this:

(pronoun)

“a person who is remarkable and extraordinary in some way”.

And because this is most definitely a special dictionary,

there would be

an inscription at the bottom

that said

“see ‘you’”.

And turning to the word

“you”

there would be a mirror,

and below it

would be the final inscription,

the statement to end all statements:

you are an extraordinary one.

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Comments (1)

Deborah AfolayanNov 6, 2015

If someonedecided to look up“Deborah”in the dictionary,there would be statementthat read“see ‘film’”.When that person turns to the word“film”,they would see a symbol.The symbol would be a mix of yellow and gold,with the letter “E” at its center,designed in a way that can only be describedas elegant.Under it would read“see ‘dragon’”.Curiously,they would turn to “dragon”.There would be a picturewith a black dragonflying through the air,with a friend on his back,and eyes shining bright.One could not help but thinkthat it was a beautiful picture.Under the picturewould be a caption:“see ‘fiction’”.Hopefully,they are invested enough to see where this leads them,so they turn the page.Finding the word “fiction”, they begin to read:“Fiction isthe embodiment of what we secretly hope and dream for.It is the product of ourvivid imaginations.See ‘doctor’”.And so the journey would continue.The reader would travelthrough countless adventure,where timesimply isn’t linear.They would readof times well spent with friendsand times spent alone.They would readof the accomplishments that Itake pride in, butdo not let dictate wheremy next success will come from.They would read wordsthat describemy determination,my peculiarity,my strengths,and my faults.They would read the wordsthat showmy dedicationto myselfand to those I care about.Passions,habits,and hobbies:all laid out withinwordsand pictures,in order to describewhat makes upthis human beingthat lives among billions.But they will not have to travel forever,because a dictionary is extensive, and like us,constantly being rewritten.Eventually,they will arrive to my final word…“one”.And it would be defined with this:(pronoun)“a person who is remarkable and extraordinary in some way”.And because this is most definitely a special dictionary,there would bean inscription at the bottomthat said“see ‘you’”.And turning to the word“you”there would be a mirror,and below itwould be the final inscription,the statement to end all statements:you are an extraordinary one.