Microfiction – Are You Afraid

“Why are you afraid, child?”
“The man on TV said I should be.”
“Do you see anything around you to be afraid of?”
“No.”
“Do you see anybody dropping dead in the streets?”
“No, but the mask protects us.”
“Do you see people who don’t wear masks dropping dead in the streets?”
“No.”
“Child, there are people who get sick every day and die of one thing or the other, but life goes on. If you want to be afraid, be afraid of the man on TV.”
“Why?”
“Because he makes money off of people’s fear. He’s what you call a bogeyman. Use to only frighten children into good behavior. But these days, it works on adults too.”
“Are you afraid of the virus?”
“No, Child, I’m not afraid. We got a roof over our heads, food growing in the garden, and a well for water. Now, you let those things go away. And I’ll be afraid.”