Struggling Alone
Once upon a time in a land far, far away there lived a celery plant. It was tall with a busy mop of straggly unkept leaves on top. Its bright green leaves were frazzled, peppered with brown spots, burnt on like someone had walked along dragging a cigarette beside them carelessly scorching everything in its path. From a distance the long stalks appeared to be sprinkled with a black lumpy scale but in fact they were little black bugs called aphids that were jostling all over the top of each other. The aphids were merrily walking their way up and down the stalk chomping on whatever they wanted, leaving potholes and a white slime behind. The celery had almost given up under the weight of the unyielding bugs.
The Storm
The wind howled like a wolf on top of a mountain calling its pack to come help ravage the defenseless prey below. It rushed through every nook and cranny not caring to dodge any object in its way. It beat and beat down on the celery stalk relentlessly, the stalk pushed to its limits bending as much as it possibly could under the force of the wind. At times it was almost standing parallel with the ground. The force of the wind coupled with the weight of the aphids was wearing the celery down quickly. The celery didn’t think it could last the night through.
Surviving the Storm
The celery slowly opened its eyes to find the early morning sun beating down on it. It squinted as the sun threw rays at it like a fisherman throwing a spear at an unsuspecting fish. Slowly, the celery patted its leaves up and down its body.
I’m alive. I’ve survived but I am in bad shape. The celery thought to itself.
The aphids were weighing down the celery so much that even with the new burst of sunshine it was struggling to spring back up. The celery laid on the ground trying with great gusto to get itself upright. Every attempt with the heavy aphids sapped more and more energy from the desperate plant.
If I don’t manage to get myself upright soon, I will die here lying on this very ground. The thought of dying buzzing through the celery’s mind was enough to panic it into making several more failed attempts. Eventually, the celery passed out from all the effort.
A New Friend
“Hello, my friend.” The celery’s head was spinning, and it couldn’t quite figure out who or where the words were coming from. Blinking the celery tried to get its vision into focus but no matter how rapidly it fluttered its eyelids, it still seemed like the celery was looking through a glass of water. Even though the celery’s arms and legs felt lighter it was still struggling to lift them with any type of co-ordination.
“Hey steady on there fella, you remind me of one of those petrol station tube men blowing in the wind.” The celery’s vision slowly swirled into focus, but it still couldn’t see where the voice was coming from. “Down here.” The celery followed the voice with its eyes and could just see a small sprig of green forcing its way out of the ground. The celery looked confused; it didn’t quite know what it was looking at.
“I’m an onion.” The voice boomed up from under the earth. “Most of me is here under the ground, much safer I can say. Looks like you took quite a beating in that storm. You were out for a couple of days, for a while there, I didn’t think you were going to make it through.”
“What are you doing down there?” The celery scratched its head with one of its wind beaten leaves.
“I was hanging out in a seed pod and the storm blew me over here. Boom, a bit of rain and next thing you know, I’m growing into a full-blown onion.” There was a bit of a pause. “Brown to be precise, not that it matters we all taste the same.” There was another pause. “And make people cry the same.” The onion gave off a high-pitched hyena laugh.
The celery was so enthralled at being able to lift its arms and legs without much effort it had not really tuned in to the last words the onion had been saying. The onion shrugged it off, as if it was used to being ignored.
“Lot lighter, now all your little friends have nicked off, hey” The celery was not really sure if the onion was asking a question or making a statement, so it answered just to be polite.
“Yes.” The celery was still waving its arms back and forth in front of its eyes in disbelief. “Where did they go?” It asked back after several arm flaps.
“Gone.” Replied the onion with a smirk on his face. “They don’t like me.”
“Thank you for helping get that great weight off me.” The celery had tears of gratitude rolling down its cheeks.” It wiped away the tears, sniffed and continued. “Life will be so much easier without them weighing me down. I think you and I are going to be great friends Mr Onion.” Replied the celery. It had never felt and looked so good in its life.
The celery and onion lived happily ever after. Well until they were eaten by the huge ugly giants from the big house but that is another story.
The Reality
Once upon a time is now and a land far, far away is here in your yard. All this is happening in our gardens every day. Gardens are magical places filled with life and color, but it isn’t a fairy tale. There was a time when we nurtured our gardens the way they nurtured us. If we give our gardens the opportunity many of the plants help and look after each other. Somewhere along the way we forgot how much life they could give us.
The Passion
My passion is backyard food forests. A lot of people have good sized backyards that sit there turning into desolate waste lands. Many people keep lawn not realising they have been indoctrinated into a 17th Century tradition where wealthy landowners kept large lawns to display their wealth, being the only ones in society who were able to afford the labour to maintain them. Lawns use water and don’t support very much life. Once established food forests are self-sufficient within themselves, support other forms of life, are very low maintenance and great for the environment. I want to share this with people.
The Members
My vision is to bring information about companion planting that deters pests and promotes plant growth in unique ways to children and adults alike. My members would receive a monthly newsletter with planting guides on what to plant now, what plants make good companions and what plants deter which pests. The newsletter would also contain fables about gardening and plants to help children understand how their gardens work in a fun and relatable way.
About the Creator
M.K. Marche
Lore Master for Dragon Blood read more here: https://daringdragonsphoenix.art/lore
Come talk to the Dragon team and Lore Master here: https://discord.gg/xhUUmdcHQt
More works by M.K. Marche here: https://proofofpublishing.com/
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Phoenix Dragons
Rammi sat back from the edge of the rocky overhang just inside the mouth of the cave. The rain was still catching him slightly but if he sat back any further he wouldn’t be able to see the fluxing events happening in the town below. Every epoch since his retirement, Rammi ventured to the top of the rocky mountain to watch.
By M.K. Marche3 years ago in Fiction
Myanmar Junta Holds Second Phase of Election Widely Decried as a ‘Sham Exercise’
If you’ve been following Myanmar’s political turmoil, you probably heard the news: the military junta just held the second phase of its general election, and once again, critics are calling it a “sham exercise.” From the United Nations to human rights organizations, almost everyone outside the junta is dismissing this vote as a carefully orchestrated performance rather than a genuine democratic process. Let’s take a closer look at what happened, why it’s being condemned, and what this means for Myanmar’s future. A Military-Run Election in a Nation at War On 11 January 2026, voters in certain parts of Myanmar lined up at polling stations to cast their ballots in the second phase of the election. This phase covered roughly 100 townships across 12 states and regions, part of a three-phase plan that began in December 2025 and will conclude in late January. Sounds orderly enough—but here’s the catch: large areas of Myanmar are still controlled by armed opposition groups or trapped in active conflict zones. In many townships, voting didn’t even happen because it was too dangerous. For millions of citizens, the idea of participating in this election isn’t about choice—it’s about survival. So, while the junta presents this as a return to political normalcy, the reality is much messier. This vote is happening amid ongoing civil war, instability, and widespread human suffering. Who’s on the Ballot? And Who Isn’t One of the biggest issues with this election is who is allowed to run. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD)—the party that won a landslide in the 2020 election—is banned. Suu Kyi herself remains detained on politically motivated charges. Many smaller opposition parties have also been barred from participating. Rebel groups and youth movements have refused to take part, calling the vote illegitimate. This has left the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as the clear front-runner. In the first phase of voting in December, the USDP already secured nearly 90 of 102 contested seats, which is a strong indicator that the outcome of the overall election is practically predetermined. In short, this is less an election and more a political tool for the junta to cement power. The Junta’s Playbook For the military, these elections serve multiple purposes: Legitimacy: By holding elections, the junta hopes to claim that it has public support. Control: With opposition parties banned, the military ensures it dominates Parliament. International Image: They want the world to see a functioning democratic process—even if it’s staged. But the global community isn’t buying it. The United Nations, human rights organizations, and most Western governments have condemned the elections as neither free nor fair. Key issues include: Widespread political repression Absence of meaningful opposition Election laws that stifle dissent Unsafe conditions for voters UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews even warned that the elections “cannot and should not be recognized” internationally. Voices from the Ground: Fear, Frustration, and Exclusion For everyday citizens, voting is complicated. Many are intimidated or fear retribution if they don’t comply. Others live in conflict zones or have been displaced, making voting physically impossible. Ethnic groups and youth activists are particularly vocal about rejecting the elections. For them, the vote is a tool to marginalize minority communities and entrench military rule. Meanwhile, ordinary voters express mixed feelings—some participate out of hope for peace, others because they feel they have no choice. The reality? The election process is fragmented, forced, and disconnected from the lives of most Burmese citizens. International Reactions: Mostly Negative Around the world, reaction to Myanmar’s elections has been overwhelmingly critical. The UN, Western governments, and human rights organizations argue that the polls are designed to prop up an authoritarian regime, not reflect the will of the people. Civil society groups in Asia have also condemned the election, urging countries not to recognize the results. The junta’s international supporters, however—countries like China and Russia—may continue diplomatic engagement, making it harder to isolate the regime completely. The key takeaway? While the junta may claim legitimacy, global acceptance is far from guaranteed. Looking Ahead: What Happens Next? The final phase of voting is scheduled for 25 January 2026, and it’s expected to follow the same patterns: military dominance, restricted opposition, and contested legitimacy. If the junta consolidates power through this election, it will likely form a government that appears “elected” on paper but remains authoritarian in practice. Yet the ongoing civil war, international criticism, and domestic opposition suggest that Myanmar’s road to stability is still far away. For observers inside and outside the country, these elections are less about democracy and more about power. The military hopes to create a façade of legitimacy, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story: one of fear, division, and a population yearning for genuine representation.This blog version is more readable, flows naturally, and keeps the key facts intact, while meeting Vocal Media’s style of a narrative, accessible, and conversational article. If you want, I can also add a sidebar timeline showing all three phases of Myanmar’s 2025–26 elections to make it extra engaging for readers. It would fit perfectly for a blog format. Do you want me to do that? Conclusion Myanmar’s second-phase election may look like a step toward democracy on paper, but in reality, it’s a highly controlled, military-managed process with limited participation and credibility. With opposition voices silenced, ongoing conflict, and millions of citizens excluded, the so-called vote is widely regarded as a sham exercise. For the people of Myanmar, the future remains uncertain. While the junta may claim victory, the country’s deep political, social, and ethnic fractures mean that true democracy and stability are still a long way off. This election is a reminder that sometimes, the act of voting alone doesn’t equal democracy—especially when freedom, fairness, and choice are nowhere to be found.
By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in Earth
Inflation Remained at 2.7% in December: High Prices Continue to Weigh on Many Americans
As Americans rang in the new year, many were relieved to see that inflation in December held steady at 2.7%, according to the latest reports. On the surface, this might seem like good news — a signal that runaway price growth is slowing. But for countless households across the country, the reality is more complicated: high prices continue to strain budgets, affecting everything from groceries to gas, rent, and beyond. The Numbers Behind the Headlines December’s 2.7% inflation rate, measured year-over-year, shows no significant change from November. This is a continuation of the trend economists have watched closely throughout 2025: after a period of intense price spikes, inflation appears to be moderating but remaining stubbornly above pre-pandemic norms. Key areas contributing to this steady inflation include: Food prices, particularly meat, dairy, and fresh produce, which have remained elevated due to supply chain challenges and global agricultural pressures. Housing costs, including rents and home prices, which continue to rise in many urban and suburban markets. Energy prices, especially gasoline and home heating, which fluctuate seasonally but have not dropped enough to ease household pressure. While 2.7% may seem manageable compared to the double-digit spikes of 2021–2022, it still outpaces wage growth for millions of Americans, meaning that in real terms, many are experiencing reduced purchasing power. How Inflation Affects Everyday Americans For many families, the impact of steady inflation is tangible. Consider this: a household spending $500 a month on groceries in 2025 might now be paying over $535 for the same items. Gasoline, which has seen seasonal swings, can quickly add dozens of dollars to monthly commuting costs. Rent, historically the largest expense for most households, has grown faster than wages in many cities. A steady 2.7% inflation rate means renters face incremental increases in living costs every month, often outpacing salary adjustments. Even seemingly small price increases ripple across budgets. Families may delay purchases, cut discretionary spending, or tap savings, which in turn affects broader consumer demand — a key driver of economic growth. The Role of the Federal Reserve and Economic Policy Inflation is not just about prices at the grocery store — it’s also shaped by monetary policy, interest rates, and government action. Throughout 2025, the Federal Reserve maintained a cautious approach, keeping interest rates relatively high to control inflation without triggering a recession. The Fed’s actions aim to balance: Slowing price growth to protect consumers’ purchasing power Avoiding a sharp economic downturn that could result from overly aggressive rate hikes Despite these efforts, economists warn that inflation’s persistence at 2.7% suggests structural pressures in the economy. Global supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and ongoing demand for goods and services continue to exert upward pressure on prices, making it harder for policy alone to bring relief. Inflation and Wage Growth: A Delicate Balance One of the most concerning aspects of steady inflation is its relationship with wages. For workers whose salaries haven’t kept pace with rising costs, inflation effectively reduces real income. Some sectors, like technology and healthcare, have seen modest wage gains, but many service industries — retail, hospitality, and small businesses — continue to struggle. Employees in these fields often find that even small price increases can significantly affect their quality of life, from grocery shopping to transportation and childcare expenses. What This Means for the Economy Steady inflation at 2.7% has several implications for the broader economy: Consumer Spending: When households feel the pinch, discretionary spending declines, which can slow economic growth. Investment Decisions: Businesses facing higher input costs may delay expansion or hiring, affecting job markets. Housing Market Dynamics: Rising rent and home prices continue to challenge affordability, influencing both buyers and renters. Financial Planning: Americans are increasingly turning to budgeting strategies, high-yield savings, or side income to offset higher costs. Economists stress that while inflation at this level is not catastrophic, it remains a long-term concern, especially if wages fail to keep up with price growth. Strategies for Coping with Persistent Inflation For households navigating these pressures, there are several approaches: Budget adjustments: Tracking expenses and prioritizing essential costs can help manage monthly finances. Smart shopping: Using discounts, bulk purchasing, and price comparison can reduce grocery and household costs. Energy efficiency: Lowering utility bills through energy-saving practices mitigates rising energy prices. Financial literacy: Investments, savings, and debt management become even more crucial in times of persistent inflation. While these steps cannot eliminate inflation’s impact, they provide tangible ways for Americans to protect their finances. Looking Ahead Economists predict that inflation in 2026 may continue to hover around 2–3%, barring unexpected shocks such as global conflicts, energy crises, or supply chain disruptions. While not extreme, this range continues to influence household budgets, corporate planning, and government policy decisions. For many Americans, the lesson is clear: even modest inflation can weigh heavily on day-to-day life. Staying informed, adjusting financial habits, and understanding the economic landscape remain essential for navigating a world where prices are higher than before. Steady inflation at 2.7% is a reminder that economic stability is fragile. While the numbers suggest moderation, the lived experience of millions of Americans shows that high prices are far from over, influencing decisions from grocery shopping to career planning. As the new year unfolds, households, businesses, and policymakers alike must grapple with the realities of an economy where every percentage point matters.
By Muhammad Hassana day ago in Earth
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