Introduktion
The Nadine Gordimer penned the short story "Once upon a Time" in 1989, a title that initially misleads readers by suggesting a fairy-tale ending.

Instead, the story delves into the fears of a suburban family regarding people of different ethnic backgrounds.

Utdrag
The family in the story is depicted as highly fearful, living in a privileged, predominantly white, and affluent part of the suburb. While not overtly racist, they harbor a deep-seated fear of the perceived criminal elements in their area.

Notably, they display a plaque featuring a race-neutral figure at their gate, which they believe absolves them of racism. Their fear, however, stems from concerns about crime rather than racial prejudice.

To protect themselves from the surrounding crime, the family progressively fortifies their home with security measures, eventually isolating themselves from the outside world.

This isolation is driven by a spate of robberies in their neighborhood, which leads them to withdraw further behind walls and security devices.