COULD’VE BEEN FRIENDS

Presented by,
Sonia Menzel
Roll no. – 35
S.Y.B.Ed

(Prose Version of ‘The Man He

Killed’ by Thomas Hardy.)
 The town I had grown up
I was stationed on the fringes in was being torn down
of town. by bombs.

Father was long dead.

We were very poor. I had an old
mother and siblings to take care of.
 Bodies were lined up
The mindless killing and
everyday.
violence disgusted me.

Families grieved their loved

ones.
 I snapped out of my thoughts due Paralyzed, I stared at
to a loud grumble that dropped me the barren earth.
to the ground.

There he was a few feet

Before he could do anything, I took
in front of me, eyes full
my aim and pulled the trigger.
of fear.
He was dead, I had killed him. My rifle dropped to the
How could I? ground as I stood horrified. His
blood was on my hands.

Footsteps scrambled in my direction. They

My hands were the hands of a were boys from my troop. They were
merciless killer. happy.
 The next thing I remember The war had ended. The
was being back at the army rebels had surrendered.
base.

But, I really do see him in the I have to stay in this room away
dark corner of my room. I beg from my family. Some say I have
him for forgiveness. PTSD, some call me mad.
We could’ve been friends and
gone out for drinks. We could
have talked about everything.
Please forgive me! I would be your
friend if it wasn’t for that damned
war. Please, sorry!

Moral- War is futile. It only gives birth to

loss and suffering. There is not a single
problem in the world a friendly
conversation cannot solve.
 SOCIAL RELEVANCE OF THE STORY

War causes a great deal of sorrow and unrest. It causes grief and the
displacement and demise of countless people. The amount of money
wasted on war by any country is a huge sum. War affects the ones who put
their life on the line the most. They go around with the guilt and horror of
all the death and pain they have witnessed. It is therefore necessary to,
first and foremost find solutions without resorting to violence. But, under
the most dire circumstances if that is not possible, it is our duty to take
care of our soldiers mental, emotional and physical wellbeing even after
the war.