The Mount of Frogs

COVID-19 saw the death of normalcy. At which point, perspective and proportion evaporated only to reveal the dawn of a new reality. However, outdoor exercise was prescribed during lockdowns and nature eased the transition of feral spirits. By comparison, during the year of this tale, 1651, Thomas Hobbes stated in his societal doctrine, Leviathan, “Life in the state of nature is solitary, nasty, brutish and short”. However, the England of the seventeenth century suffered from a lethal mixture of religious extremism, civil wars and the ensuing societal uncertainty. Such toxic factors became intertwined and spawned an era of hysteria driven Witch Hunts. Therefore, contrary to Hobbes’ theory, nature would have conceivably been the safest option to eschew the societal catastrophes woven into the 17th Century. Further, 1651 suffered the ongoing effects of a mini-ice-age, which attributed to the occurrence of famine and disease. These ingredients made for a cauldron, filled to the brim with diabolical misery for the British population at this time. This tale discovers a young native of Somersetshire, Tizzy Greenham and her response to the aforementioned conditions. Although, it should be observed, this is not a children’s story but a story about a child, made concise within a day. Ultimately, Tizzy ascends the discombobulation attributed to such disastrous societal and planetary influences. The Prologue and Epilogue highlight the blights to humanity within the sixteen hundreds are still alarmingly prevalent on an international scale today. Furthermore, Witch Hunts still occur within less progressive countries. However, the Western culture is also guilty of savaging those who have fallen from grace, exemplified by the Cancel Culture. Whereas, to date, within rural East Asia, those accused of witchcraft are cancelled much in the same way. Bearing these factors in mind, it was our ancestors who withstood the brunt of progression in this country, upon their knees if necessary. However, there are alarming similarities between the 17th and 21st Centuries, both at home and abroad. It is a reassurance to note, we have advanced as a nation to the point, we can tell the truth in this country, express its diversities and this is not only encouraged but valued. Freedom of mind is a given, whilst unfortunately, more dogmatic cultures still indoctrinate, persecute and barbarously execute perceived societal dissenters.