In a thought-provoking piece dated December 30, 2025, veteran writer Jug Suraiya crafts a compelling modern fable. The story, set "once upon a now," uses vivid imagery and allegory to comment on ambitions of power and permanence.
The Stately Setting and Its Unusual Occupant
The narrative unfolds in the heart of a vast farmyard, dominated by a stately white mansion. Within an oval-shaped room of this mansion resides a large, corpulent figure. This individual is marked by a head of startling orange-glo hair, a detail that immediately captures attention. For the purpose of this tale, Suraiya names this character Carrot Top.
Carrot Top is found ensconced behind a desk, deeply engrossed in a task. Spread before him is an enormous jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle is no ordinary picture; it is a detailed representation of the entire farmyard itself, symbolizing a desire to control and comprehend the entire domain from the confines of the room.
A Temporary Tenant with Permanent Designs
The core tension of the fable lies in a critical fact: Carrot Top is only a temporary tenant of the grand mansion. Despite his current, perhaps illegitimate, occupancy, his mind is not at rest. Instead of accepting the temporary nature of his stay, he is actively devising stratagems.
His sole objective is clear and audacious: to transform his temporary tenancy into a permanent residence. The story hints at schemes and plots being hatched within the oval room, all aimed at securing a hold that was never meant to be his indefinitely. The puzzle of the farmyard becomes a metaphor for his attempt to piece together a plan for lasting control.
Reading Between the Lines: Implications and Interpretations
Jug Suraiya's fable, though short, is rich with potential meaning. The stately white mansion can be seen as a seat of power or governance. The vast farmyard represents the nation or the populace that surrounds it. The oval room is a direct allusion to powerful, decision-making chambers found in governments worldwide.
The character of Carrot Top, with his distinctive hair and corpulent posture, is a classic satirical portrait, likely pointing to a contemporary political figure known for similar traits. His status as a temporary tenant refers to the fixed, democratic terms of office. The "stratagems to become a permanent resident" are a sharp critique of attempts to undermine democratic norms, cling to power beyond mandated limits, or alter systems for personal gain.
Published at the close of 2025, this piece serves as a timeless commentary on the nature of power. It warns of the dangers when those entrusted with temporary authority begin to plot for permanent control, ignoring the will and the welfare of the "farmyard" they are supposed to serve. Suraiya leaves the story open-ended, inviting readers to ponder the eventual success or failure of Carrot Top's plans and its consequences for the farmyard's future.
