"the ones who walk away from omelas" short story by american writer ursula k. le guin. it was published in 1973. the story happens in a utopian city called omelas. the city can only be wealthy and happy as long as a single child suffers. "the ones who walk away from omelas" was nominated for the locus award for best short fiction in 1974 and won the hugo award for best short story in 1974.