Madleen
A Send-Up to the Send-Off of Greta Thunberg and Co.
After Israel prevented political activist Greta Thunberg and company from sailing to Gaza this week, memes spread across social media as swiftly as the activists were nabbed. I decided to add to the spoofery when I learned that the protest vessel was named “Madleen,” which reminded me of the classic children’s story, Madeline. In the book, twelve little girls walk in two straight lines; on the boat, twelve provocateurs toed party lines. As you may recall, the story opens:
In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines …the smallest one was Madeline.
Here is my version—a send-up to the send-off of the failed flotilla.
Madleen After Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of Madeline In a small boat off Gaza that was crowded with screens sailed twelve little activists who acted like teens. On board the boat they broke their bread and sent their texts and went to bed. They smiled at the bad and frowned at the good denying the truth as only teens could. Leaving Sicily’s port they created a scene using social media as propaganda machine— their little boat was Madleen. She was not afraid of a naval block. Her crew would use lnsta, X, and Tik Tok. To every Israeli and diaspora Jew her actions spelled clearly “F... you.” In the middle of the night, the boat within sight, Israel’s Navy prepared for a fight. Madleen drifted up to the coast hoping and hoping Gaza would host. But soon after, Israel’s fleet came, and rushed out to meet and announced, “You’re surrounded. “Little dinghy, you’re grounded!” The crew had a cry— not a single eye was dry. Madleen was stuck in Israel’s hold, her sham performance had gone unsold. The twelve went home and broke their bread and sent their texts and went to bed. Some time on, though Madleen is gone, others may try to revive the con. Ready for disaster Israel’s Navy will race fast and faster, and demand, “Foolish people do— tell us what’s the matter with you!” And the activists will cry, “Boohoo, we want to have our selfies, too!” But the sailors will say, “Goodbye, fiends! Thank the Lord you are fine! Now stay away and don’t you whine! We’re setting for shore finally done with this chore— and that’s all there is selfie yachts are no more.”
Kol hakavod!🥰