Fiction or Non-Fiction? That Is The Real Question.

We live in a world where the line of fiction and non-fiction has been blurred beyond comprehension for many. A world where one can convince themselves, fictionally of course, that you are something that you indeed are NOT in reality. Not only this but force others to interact according to their mind’s deception under penalty of law. Is it fiction or non-fiction? That is truly the question that we need to be asking ourselves. It’s the only question that matters.

Let’s Define Fiction and Non- Fiction

Oxford Languages is a worldwide dictionary publisher. It is considered the leading dictionary in the world in over 50 languages. Merriam-Webster is considered America’s oldest and most trusted english dictionary and is favored online. Oxford Languages defines fiction like this:

Fic-tion: <noun> Invention or fabrication as opposed to fact; a belief or statement that is false, but that is often held to be true because it is expedient to do so.

oxford languages dictionary

Let’s further define the word “non- fiction” by the same publisher.

Non-fic-tion: <noun> Prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history.

oxford languages dictionary

Both definitions are accepted worldwide and are notably true statements. At least in the world of reality and fact. We can safely state that fiction is synonymous (having the same or similar meaning) with imagination. Fiction is not consistent with facts or truth and is often but not always used to deceive. In a lesser form of deception it is used to “create” a story line that is entertaining and intriguing. This is how we can get caught up in a movie, television soap opera, or even in a book that we are reading. We utilize our imaginations to allow that fairy tale story to come alive in our mind.

As children we were taught to use our imagination. However, we were never taught that if you didn’t agree to my fictional version of imaginary play that you were to be punished. You simply chose not to play and left me to indulge in my own imaginary world. Unfortunately, the line between reality and imagination has become indistinct by refusing to acknowledge factual truths. Pretending is so readily accepted that laws support fictional and imaginary ideas as though they were fact and that we must accept and act accordingly to. Fiction and Non-Fiction are no longer just literary terms to consider at the library. There are legal ramifications for not participating wholeheartedly in the fictional, imagining, fairy tale scenario of the individual.

Fiction or Non-Fiction Choice

As a young child in elementary school learning to read, our class would visit the school library. It was a favorite experience for me. Our school librarian kept things exciting and interesting. She repurposed old greeting cards for bookmarks, allowing us one per visit. She decorated a Christmas tree full of holiday cookies and candy, allowing each child one piece the visit before Christmas break. For Easter she developed a contest for how many jellybeans were in a jar. The prize… a book of course! Occasionally she’d bring her pet monkey. Can you imagine that! Her monkey left quite an impression. When it was our class turn to borrow a book, the librarian always asked each of us, “fiction or non-fiction?” Even at a young age we were given the choice on which genre we wanted to partake in without any guilt. Fiction or Non-Fiction, we were given a choice.

Non-Fiction Without Guilt

The above statements are non-fiction verifiable by old classmates who treasured the same memorable experiences as much as I did. Who could possibly forget having an up close experience with a chattering, mischievous, little squirrel monkey wearing a diaper and cute outfit in a library? That monkey didn’t try to be a dog, a bird, or even a cat. She was in fact a monkey who was lovable and entertaining on her own.

Her owner didn’t say to her, you should have been a bird, or maybe in a past life you were a bird because you have bird tendencies. That adorable little monkey didn’t strive to become a bird by sewing feathers on her arms and expect us to believe she was a bird. Nor was she anything but the monkey God created her to be to bring love and joy to her world. This adorable little monkey is lovingly and fondly remembered decades later. No need to question fiction or non-fiction here. We chose to enjoy the non-fiction version without guilt.

Fairy Tale vs Truth

Fiction or Non-Fiction, fairy tale or truth, is the real question. The choice should be allowed to each individual to participate in the story line or not. It is a God given freedom to have the right to choose what to believe. But the question will always be, “Fiction or Non-Fiction?” Truth is at stake. What will you choose? I choose to participate in the non-fiction version, also known as reality and truth no matter what the world chooses to believe. You friends, should too!

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