To Orwell Today,

Hello,

I wonder if you could help me. I am trying to track down a short story which I read many years ago. I recall it being written by George Orwell but I must be wrong about that as it is not listed anywhere. I recall it was called 'The Flag' but as I am wrong about it being written by Orwell, I must concede I could be wrong about the title.

The plot of the short story is that a communist regime has invaded a Western Country and teachers are replaced by indoctrinators at the school. Children are taught to report on their parents thoughts and actions and a rationale is taught which results in the children voluntarily burning their flag which they previously regarded with love and pride.

It was an exemplary story and obviously Orwellian in nature. It would be marvelous if you could identify it or at least point me in the right direction.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours sincerely,
Steve Butler

Greetings Steve,

You're correct in assuming that Orwell probably didn't write it because, if he did, the world would have heard about it by now because we have everything (we think) he wrote.

And your suspicion that the story's name might be incorrect makes zoning in on it a little bit more difficult, ie no title, no author.

But never underestimate the knowledge base of "Orwell Today" readers. Probably "out there somewhere" there's a reader who has read "The Flag" (or its namesake) and will write in to enlighten us.

The way you describe it makes me want to read it so I hope an "Orwell Today" reader comes to the rescue soon.

All the best,
Jackie Jura