The Village That Voted The Earth Was Flat
Description:
LibriVox presents "The Village That Voted The Earth Was Flat," a captivating tale by Rudyard Kipling, narrated in English by Tony Addison.
This story remains as thought-provoking today as when it was first written, chronicling the events in the English village of Huckley. The villagers are led astray into believing the Earth is flat, but what exactly happens? How do they arrive at such a decision?
At the center of this intriguing narrative is Sir Thomas Ingell, the local squire, who entraps two newspaper owners, a journalist, and a Member of Parliament in a speeding incident. This backfires spectacularly, turning his village—and himself—into the focus of ridicule on an international scale. The influential Bat Masquerier, a music hall owner and a figure representing moral ambiguity, plays a pivotal role in this twist of fate.
The climax of the story features the fictitious Gubby, an imaginative dance performed in the Houses of Parliament, marking a humorous high point in Kipling's narrative.
This engaging story is part of Kipling's collection titled "A Diversity of Creatures."
For more details, including access to the text online, information about the narrator, RSS feeds, and available formats, please visit the LibriVox catalog page for this audio recording. To explore more free audiobooks or to volunteer as a reader, check out LibriVox.org.
M4B Audiobook (53MB)
Plot summary (can contain spoilers!):
"The Village That Voted the Earth Was Flat" is a satirical short story by Rudyard Kipling that reflects on themes of ignorance, gullibility, and the influence of popular opinion. Set in a fictional village, the plot centers around the peculiar inhabitants who live under the belief that the Earth is flat. The village becomes embroiled in an election where the villagers must choose between two candidates: a well-educated and progressive thinker who advocates for scientific understanding and a more traditional candidate who upholds the village's long-held beliefs.
As the election draws near, the villagers are torn between their loyalty to tradition and the allure of new ideas. Despite the progressive candidate's attempts to enlighten them with facts and evidence, the villagers remain skeptical and swayed by the charisma of their traditionalist candidate. This conflict highlights the tension between knowledge and ignorance, as well as the dangers of adhering to outdated beliefs in the face of rational thought.
The situation escalates when the village is faced with the consequences of their decision-making. The satirical elements come to the forefront as it becomes clear that the villagers prefer the comfort of their beliefs over the challenges posed by truth. Kipling's narrative serves as a critique of complacency and the human tendency to gravitate towards ideas that reinforce existing views, regardless of their validity.
Ultimately, "The Village That Voted the Earth Was Flat" is a poignant commentary on society's struggle with progress and the importance of questioning Dogma. Through his engaging story, Kipling invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the sometimes perilous outcomes of collective thought when it shuns reason in favor of familiar comfort.