America, Land of Opportunity

I got off the hovership and set foot in New New York for the very first time. I was one of the very first immigrants to set foot in America from off planet. I looked around at the skyscrapers that were as tall as any citadel at home; I watched as people got on to pathways that moved; I watched hovercars take to the air, people with wings and scales and tails brush past each other on the moving pathways.

I followed the line and saw the Statue of Freedom, a gift from a neighboring planet, standing next to its sister, the Statue of Liberty. It was wonderful. I couldn't describe how happy I felt to finally see the amazing places that I had seen in so many dreams, and in so many conversations, and on the postcards that I stole from the general store.

I entered a building and my view of the giant statues was lost, but I was introduced to something else. The beauty of this place was equivalent to the palace's private citadel back home! I was smiling so widely now; I couldn't believe this was really happening!

I was stopped by a guard and asked questions. I answered them quickly with as much detail that seemed appropriate. I knew all the rules. Everyone knew all of America's laws, history, and government. No single planet or country was talked about more back home.

My pen-pal, Alicia, a human who had lived in America her entire life, was supposed to meet me outside New Ellis Island. I was so excited. I was actually going to meet the human who helped me get here. She was going to help me. I didn't think I would need the help in such a wonderful country, but I was grateful for it all the same. People aren't as helpful back home.

I finally exited the building and into the bright, American sunlight. I looked around and saw a human with sapphire blue hair holding a sign that said my name. I smiled at her. Alicia came up to me and grabbed my hand. Together we looked at the restored view of the two sister statues. I looked up at them and recognized the scene from one of my postcards.

The postcard had said, Welcome to America: The Land of Opportunities!

It couldn't have been more true. I looked out into the big bustling city, and tightened my grip on Alicia's hand. She looked up and smiled. She looked back at the city with me, and I saw it a different way.

There were opportunities at every turn. I wanted one of those opportunities. I took a deep breath and set foot on American soul as an official immigrant.

My name is Divad, once of planet Strega, now of America.

America, the Land of Opportunity.

An excerpt from the "Chronicles of Immigrants, 3009 'The Collected Tales of All the First Off Planet Immigrants'"