{"seoTitle":"Unity Force — Unexpected Turn | A Short Story by Pemba Umoja","seoDescription":"A bullied girl in a sari discovers a mysterious medallion — and meets a quiet circle who fight hate and build unity across the world. A literary parable about belonging and grace.","keywords":"short story about bullying, unity across cultures, parable about belonging, multicultural short story, Pemba Umoja stories, anti-hate fiction, sari short story, magical realism short story","content":{"p1":"“Did you see that kid’s clothes?”","p2":"“Yeah, far out.”","p3":"“Freaky is more like it.”","p4":"“I got an idea.”","p5":"“Can’t you wait? Your ideas are always so naughty.”","p6":"“You know that hole by the playground?”","p7":"“Yeah.”","p8":"“Well, we’ll push her in.”","p9":"“That’s extreme. I didn’t even think you’d be capable of anything that nasty.”","p10":"“Hold on,” laughing. “I’m just getting started.”","p11":"“What do you mean?”","p12":"“Well, after we push her in, we’ll throw cans and plastic bottles at her.”","p13":"“Oh, my.”","p14":"“She won’t be able to get out.”","p15":"“Exactly.”","p16":"“I’m liking this plan. It is devious.”","p17":"“Then maybe she’ll stop wearing that ridiculous outfit.”","p18":"“OK, everyone in?”","p19":"“Yeah, yeah, let’s do it.”","p20":"Geeta walks around the playground.","p21":"“Hey, you want to play ball with us?”","p22":"“Me? Really?” replies the young girl in the sari.","p23":"“Uh, sorry, I don’t know your name.”","p24":"“I’m Geeta.”","p25":"“Gee, gee?”","p26":"“What is it? Gee, gee? What, do you have pebbles in your mouth?”","p27":"“Geeta.”","p28":"“OK, whatever, just come this way, this way. We can play with my buddies over here.”","p29":"“What is your name again?”","p30":"“Who, me? Why?” asks the boy.","p31":"“I told you mine,” she smiles.","p32":"“It is Dan,” he answers, looking confused.","p33":"“OK, boys, this is gee, gee. Sorry, I just can’t pronounce your name.”","p34":"“Don’t worry, because you’re going in the hole,” yells out another boy.","p35":"“Hey, stop! What are you doing?”","p36":"Timmy, another boy, pushes Geeta from behind.","p37":"She falls into the hole.","p38":"The boys stand by the ledge, pelting her with rusty cans and dirty plastic bottles.","p39":"“The next time, gee, gee, whatever your name is, you think of wearing that ridiculous outfit, think twice,” cries out Dan.","p40":"Geeta gets hit in the head by a muddy bottle.","p41":"“I thought you wanted to be my friend!” mutters Geeta.","p42":"“Take that,” hisses Timmy, “and that!”","p43":"An old can draws blood from Geeta’s cheek. Another from her hand.","p44":"“Why don’t you go back to where you came from?”","p45":"“Stop, it hurts. You are hurting me,” cries out Geeta.","p46":"Geeta braces herself on the ground, wincing in pain each time she gets hit.","p47":"Suddenly, she sees something sparkling.","p48":"It is a necklace.","p49":"Concentric circles are engraved upon its center.","p50":"“What is this?” she whispers to herself.","p51":"Geeta puts it on.","p52":"Immediately, she feels intense power pulsing through her veins.","p53":"A glint of sunlight catches her.","p54":"She sees a falcon above.","p55":"“Fly,” it seems to whisper.","p56":"Geeta stands, looking up as the bottles and cans cascade upon her, looking directly at the bullies above.","p57":"“What is she doing?” asks Dan.","p58":"“Oh my God!”","p59":"Geeta begins to levitate out of the hole.","p60":"“Dan,” she cries, “my name is Geeta. G-E-E-T-A. Do you hear?”","p61":"Dan is frozen in fear.","p62":"“Say it.”","p63":"“Ge…Gee…Geeta,” he says, stumbling over his words.","p64":"“Yes, Geeta. Yes, Geeta. Sorry, Geeta. Whatever you say.”","p65":"Timmy starts to run. All the boys follow him. He zigzags not knowing which way to go, then he runs directly into the lake. All the boys plunge in too.","p66":"“Look at you now, Dan and clan. Look at you now.”","p67":"“Somebody help us. There are snapping turtles in here.”","p68":"“Ouch, ouch.”","p69":"“No, not there.”","p70":"Geeta laughs as the boys struggle back to the shore in their soggy shoes.","p71":"Geeta notices their torn t-shirts and jeans.","p72":"She takes a deep breath, then another.","p73":"“Tomorrow, Dan, I will bring you and your friends kurtas from my culture. You will see that they are much more comfortable than the clothes you wear.”","p74":"The boys stare at her in awe.","p75":"Geeta levitates back to high ground.","p76":"She takes off the necklace, staring at it.","p77":"“What is this?” she whispers.","p78":"A Muslim man dressed in a flowing white jalabiya, wearing a similar medallion, appears from behind a bush.","p79":"“It is Unity Force, Geeta. We are Unity Force. We fight hate and build unity across our communities and the world. I am Mohammad.”","p80":"A beautiful woman in a kimono steps out from behind the bush.","p81":"“I am Miho.”","p82":"“I am Oudou,” says an African man as he steps out from behind the bush in traditional garb from Mali.","p83":"“I am Dilyari,” says a striking woman dressed as a Russian Tatar.","p84":"“Are you in, Geeta? Will you join us?”","p85":"“I am only in middle school.”","p86":"“Your age, your race, your religion, your wealth, your persuasion — none of this matters. We are all one,” says Mohammad.","p87":"Geeta looks down at her medallion, shining in her hand.","p88":"She puts it around her neck.","p89":"“Yes, we are all one. I will stand with you.”"}}