I am currently watching a TV adaptation of William Golding’s 1954 debut novel Lord Of The Flies on a streaming service. It’s screenplay is by the same writer who did the thought provoking and deeply disturbing drama series Adolescence. I’m expecting great things.

I can’t remember whether the book was part of the school curriculum or if my socially conscious mother gave it to me. Regardless, it’s a story that had a great impact on me. Not to give too much away it’s about morality, leadership, civility and chaos within a group of pubescent boys stranded on a desert island. I also remember watching the 1961 Peter Brook movie at the Bearsden Academy film club some years later though I missed out on the 1990 version even although my wife’s cousin was Props Master on that shoot.

It also brings back an unsavoury memory of my primary school years.

When I was about eleven or twelve there were two classes in my year and they were very competitive. So much so two gangs were formed among the boys. I can’t remember the catalyst but the gang leaders decided there was going to be a rumble !

 *finger click, finger click, finger click* 

Sorry, I went a bit West Side Story there.

The best musical written in the last sixty five years and if you whisper Andrew Lloyd Webber anywhere in my vicinity I’ll slap your legs !

Back to the story. Unbeknown to our rivals each gang member was allocated an opponent, with the element of surprise being in our favour. I was paired up with the formidable Gra……. lets just call him Big Gee. When interval came our gang sprang into action. I grabbed Big Gee in a head lock and proceeded to pummel my fist into his face about half a dozen times until I noticed fresh blood on my hand. I jumped back startled, he jumped back startled and we both stared at each other wide eyed with that ‘what the f*^k just happened’ look. All around us similar pairs of stunned boys were in the same quandry. Only a few were still in combat until they too petered out within less than five minutes giving us plenty of time to wash our wounds, tuck in our shirts, straighten our ties and examine our conciences before the resumption of class.

What had I become ? I had no personal beef with Big Gee. Had I resorted to violence to be accepted in the group ? I was no protagonist (Ralph) or antagonist (Jack).

Certainly not the voice of reason (Piggy) or spirituality (Simon). Maybe I was Roger, initially quiet but becoming violent under the new tyranical leader.

It’s a good job we don’t have that sort of behaviour in today’s society.

Books like Lord Of The Flies and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell were allegorical fiction meant to warn us about a possible dystopian future. Now they are instruction manuals for current day despots.

I know you’re out there on social media Gra…… Big Gee. I’m so sorry. Hope the nose healed. No hard feelings ?

On a lighter note, here’s a great spoof to brighten up your day.

(Post by John Allan, from Bridgetown, Western Australia – February 2026.)