Chapter 14
The Great Debate
White Doors
The top landed on yellow.
Ponco Yellow leaped onto his chair.
“Yellow is the colour of sunshine, buttercups, custard and excellent ideas. Without yellow there would be no light, no warmth and no bananas.”
“Bananas can be green,” Larry interrupted.
“Rule three,” Ronnie warned.
“I was clearing my throat.”
Ponco Yellow continued. “I shall improve the world with solar energy, golden gardens and a Go-Go-Pole that returns as well as goes.”
Paul wrote RETURN JOURNEY beside his name.
The top landed on blue.
Ponco Blue waited for complete silence.
“Blue is the colour of oceans, open skies and serious thought. My inventions shall create clean cities, instant communication and transport that never leaves half a person behind.”
“Your last transport left half a person behind,” Ponco Violet said.
“That was a historical reference.”
Paul wrote FUTURE.
Red came next.
“Red is life!” Ponco Red cried. “Blood, fire, courage, warning signs, ripe fruit and warm houses.”
“Also sunburn,” Ponco Orange said.
“Rule three!”
“Another throat.”
Paul wrote COURAGE.
Violet carried a small balloon to the centre of the table.
“Violet marks the edge of what people can see. It represents discovery. I have travelled farther below the water than any Ponco and returned with plans for a safer submarine.”
“Does the plan include driving lessons?” Paul asked.
Ponco Violet smiled. “Two of them.”
As she demonstrated the balloon, it slipped from her fingers. It zoomed around the room, struck Ponco Blue twice and vanished up Ponco Green’s sleeve.
Paul wrote DISCOVERY.
Green stood on the table.
“Rule five!” everyone shouted.
“My shoes are on the table. My feet are in my shoes.”
He spoke about forests, food and his seeds for hungry communities. Ponco Indigo pretended to collapse after eating a poisonous green plant, but even he was laughing before Larry finished.
Paul wrote GROWTH.
Orange promised games with fair rules, though he required everyone to agree that the rules might become more interesting later. Paul wrote PLAY.
At last Ponco Indigo rose.
He did not boast.
“My colour has been forgotten,” he said. “For a long time, I believed that meant I had nothing left to contribute. Paul reminded me that an old idea can become new when it joins another idea. I offer no finished miracle. I offer faith, hope and dreams – and a willingness to ask for help.”
Paul wrote WISDOM.
The debate ended.
Seven Poncos stared at him.
“Choose,” said Ronnie.