The new found freedom of the absolved

The new found freedom of the absolved.

The line is very long. It is so long there’s no way to see where it ends, or begins. However, it is moving. Slowly, but moving nonetheless. That should be good news, but nothing about this feels right. In fact, this whole journey is one big mistake after another. Tom watches the line ahead of him move toward the big giant doors. It looks like everyone is moving the same way. He turns and looks behind where he stands. And the line runs outward behind him, as far as the eye can see.

This can’t be good, he thinks, as the line continues to move. “Do you know where we’re going?” he asks the guy in front of him. He waits patiently, but there’s no response. In fact, Tom isn’t sure his voice can be heard over all the racket. There are machines everywhere. Many of them run automated. Some have a worker, or two. But the machines fill most of the building.

They had an escort here this morning. Ordinarily they would be doing morning calisthenics. On the other side of the complex. That’s how Tom knows this isn’t a typical day. In fact, he is pretty sure they are about to get new quarters. Which is actually a relief, because he and his friends recently discussed moving. A new place with more room, would be nice.

The New Found Freedom

More room. Even in his thoughts, it sounds too good to be true. The line continues to move forward, and Tom goes with it. Up ahead he sees the big doors open, and then close again. Based on the timing of the big doors, he estimates it will be another fifteen minutes before he reaches them. It’s enough time to try and get some answers.

He clears his throat, and is about to nudge the guy in front of him, when he notices the newcomers. Furthermore, they arrived only a few seconds ago. They stand at the halfway point between Tom, and the huge doors that the line is moving toward. They are very well dressed and seem to be important. However, no one dares look in their direction. Besides, everyone is more interested in where this line is going. And freedom.

The Absolved

Tom is especially interested in where this line is going. There must be some sort of emergency. Why else would they skip calisthenics this morning? In all the time he’s been here, they never once missed their morning exercise. Then he decides an emergency is not the likely cause of all this mysterious activity. For one thing, there would be a lot more hustle if it was an emergency. He notices the nice looking people that joined them earlier, are much closer now. In fact, they are looking at Tom. He doesn’t shy away like the others before him. He stares them right back in the eyes.

The crowd stares at Tom. He stares right back. Furthermore, he’s not real sure why he’s in front of this crowd. One thing is certain though, he’s no longer in the line. He and the guy in front of him got singled out. This might even be a case of insubordination. Hard to say at the moment. Tom hadn’t meant to be insubordinate, he is just flashy and bold sometimes. And now his freedom could be at stake. So he and his buddy got singled out, and now, here they are in front of a huge crowd.

Freedom

Additionally, there are reporters and news cameras. And all types of officials, looking very official. And standing there just in front of Tom, are the very nice looking people who came in the room, when Tom was in the line. Tom, who is now called Gobble, gazes out over the crowd and wonders what the fuss is all about. Then he turns toward the official looking people there with him, and the following words absolved him.

During the annual ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on November 25, 2025, President Trump set the stage by introducing the birds as “two handsome Thanksgiving turkeys.” And declaring, “In a few moments, I will grant a full absolute and unconditional presidential pardon to two handsome Thanksgiving turkeys.” He then pronounced the pardon: “Gobble, I just want to tell you, it is very important, you are hereby unconditionally pardoned. Yeah!”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for reading! Like, follow and share The Frog Journal on X @1finja1 – and on The Frog Journal Facebook page click here. Subscribe to the free newsletter to stay up to date on new content and updates.