The Fox and the Desert

Through the brisk morning air chased the fox, his prey the hare. Against his better judgement, the hare led his pursuer into the desert, away from the forest which would have given him many places to hide. At noon the Fox broke, sick with hunger but seeing the impossible task that was outrunning the Hare.

Keeping a safe distance, the Hare said to the Fox, "Here we are, miles from our homes in the bitter reaches of an alien land. Band together, we must, or we will never see our families again." The Fox agreed to this truce, and replied "There, in the distance, I see an oasis. Let us travel that way and drink now, for we may hardly see a drop 'fore we find home." "Nay," said the Hare. "The wind blows in the opposite direction, from the coast and our home. This is how it has always blown, and thus we should travel that way in haste." The Fox did not trust the Hare, though,  and said in turn "a Harish trick of logic, you shall not use to fool me. I see water in my direction, but I see no wind, nor any coast in yours. Prove to mine eyes what you suggest, and I will join you that way."

The Hare could not prove his point to the Fox's eyes, so they agreed to part ways; the Fox moving toward the oasis, the Hare traveling against the wind. After a long while, the Hare came to a large dune. Looking back, he saw the Fox drinking sand in the far distance, no oasis in sight. To this he said, "Woe to he that believe in err' that sight be the only sense to which truth bears itself, for he will end his days chasing mirages." And the Fox did end his days that way.

The Duelling Hares

There was a set of Hares, equal in physical prowess in every way. They tested each other endlessly, but neither could best the other. "Fine, let us race to see who is the fastest, as that is the truest test of a hare in the real world" said one to the other, and the other agreed.

So they set to training night and day, and in this regard they were not equal. The first hare set to memorizing the route until he knew it perfectly. He ran the course until every turn and root was memorized. The second hare took to practicing on multiple routes, learning to surprise himself with jumping over various sized roots, and run turns with various degrees.

On the day of the race, the second hare hoped desperately for a flood to render the planned course useless, but none came. The first hare beat him easily, as he was familiar with the course. "Ha" said the first hare, "we may be equal in strength, but i am superior in brains!"

At that moment a fox came barreling through the wood, seeking out a hare for dinner. The fox chased the hares, and the second escaped as he was used to new terrain, where the other was not. As the fox chewed the first hare, the second looked on and said, "he who is limited to the false structure of schoolyard lessons is eaten whole by the variety of reality"

The Song of the Nightingale

There was a Nightingale that sung her song to the creatures of the wood as they hid their offspring from the stalkers that lurk in the night. She sung in the hopes that her soft melody would ease the burden of these poor animals, but always she was overlooked. The Loon was the talk of the wood, with her odd calls that would make the young rabbits giggle. It was the fashion of the age, and the Loon basked in vogue.

Though the Nightingale was jealous of the Loon, still she sang her tune in the hopes that one day the art that gave her so much joy might be noticed. Each night she could be heard by all, and yet she was met by not but passive scorn. "Your melody is sweet, but look to the Loon! Take note her style and make copy that you may share in her popularity," the Wise Owl advised. But the Nightingale stayed true to her soul, and sang on in her own fashion.

There were a few that gathered to her, for they saw the truth; that the Nightingale sang in harmony with the universe. But there would ne'er be fame for her, as the stalkers of the night were drawn by her voice too, and she was eaten to the dismay of no one.

Then a strange thing happened. As the creatures laid down their heads to sleep, their minds were unsettled. Something was amiss. They had not their Nightingale to sing them to sleep amid the dread of night. Soon, they made their voices heard. "Bring to us the like of the Nightingale, again," they cried to the Loon, and she did her best to oblige. But the Loon could not bring back the song that was missed, as she had not the voice, nor was she accustomed to the nocturne. And so it was that the creatures grew tired of the Loon's quirk. In her stead, they sang the song of the Nightingale in their hearts long after she was gone, and forever was she remembered as the fairest of the songbirds.

The Tiger and the Wolf

           There was a great commotion in the woods one day, the Tiger and the Wolf in mortal combat. The destruction was great and terrifying to all the animals. The Humans, being the newfound rulers of the jungle, were tasked with correcting the situation so that it would not happen again.

            They devised a wooden cage for the beasts, and set off capturing two specimens. “If the Wolf and Tiger are to get along, we must place them close together, that they may learn to love each other,” they said, and placed a Wolf and Tiger in the cage. For a moment all was well, and then the two beasts promptly took to ripping each other to shreds.

            Seeing their failure, the Humans came up with a new idea. “Ah, the problem is their teeth, and their claws,” they theorized. So they caught two more specimens, and defanged and declawed them both. Placing them in the cage, the Wolf and the Tiger hit and gnawed at each other but, being unable to inflict any real damage, they quickly gave up and became docile. “Success!” the humans cried, and released the two into the wild. Unfortunately, the two beasts were unable to catch their prey or defend themselves, and within a few days they were both dead from starvation.

            This puzzled the Humans, who did not know what to try next. One of them theorized “perhaps the best way to tame a Tiger is to turn it into a kitten.” Thus, the Humans took to domesticating the Tigers and Wolves, and cats and dogs came into existence. But they could not tame them all, and still the Humans pondered, as the forest creatures watched in hope.
            So it was that they went to the Wolf, and asked him, "Why do you fight so ferociously with the tiger? What has he done to you to deserve your scorn?" The Wolf replied, "Nothing, he is a gentlemen of highest esteem in my eyes. It is not that he has done me wrong, but that he might do me wrong. It is therefore in my interest to strike first so to gain the upper hand." The same was said by the Tiger when asked why he fought.

This, at long last, brought one of the Humans to his senses. He said to the others “Perhaps it is the case that the Tiger and the Wolf must mix of their own accord, or not at all.” So the Humans agreed to never meddle in the affairs of the wild beasts again, and the forest remained in turmoil for the foreseeable future. 

The Wolf and the Gossiping Hen

It was by unhappy chance that the Grey Wolf was lounging one day near where the Hen and the Cock were having their squabble. “All day you strut about the roost, and I know you have eyes for the other Hens,” the Hen said in jealousy. “That is no more than my common way, what Cocks as I do.” Enraged by this response, the Hen struck first, plucking at the Cock with her beak. But it was the Cock that took the day with ferocity. He took to plucking her and scratching at her with his feet, sending her away in fright. The Wolf, wishing to stay out of this unpleasant business, decided to take his lounging elsewhere.

            Knowing that the animals of the forest would take sides, the Hen took to spreading her side of the story with great vigor. As it passed from one animal to the other, the story grew and grew. Some time later the Grey Wolf was approached by the gossiping Squirrel, who took to rousing him. He said “Wolf, have you heard what was done upon the red Hen? It was the Cock! He plucked at the Hen as she helplessly tried to save her eggs from his terror!” He went on, “You, as the great strength of the forest, must act against the Cock so to restore the Hen’s honor!” The Wolf, having had seen the altercation and knowing that neither party was deserving of his sympathy, said, “Nay, brother Squirrel, I will have none of this game.”

            Hearing this response, the Squirrel informed the animals of the Wolf’s decision. “He takes the side of the Cock! What a brute he is, and always has been!” The animals took to the Wolf, and soon he too was hated as much as the Cock himself. They gathered round him, and the red Hen came forth to say, “If you side with those who are strong, then we who are strong together side against you! Be away from the forest, for we no longer wish your company!” And so the Grey Wolf obliged.

            He turned from the forest, and said as he left, “Better to spend my days alone, for there is no room for reason when creatures give credence to the word of gossiping hens.”

Dark Fables for Modernity: The Ant Queen and the Blue Birds

There once was an Ant Queen whose empire encompassed many miles. Her armies were massive, and her workers numbered in the millions. She built for herself a great ant hill that reached far into the air; the greatest achievement of any kind in all the forest's history.

            Looking down upon it, the Blue Birds became jealous of its height. They saw it as a threat. They said, “Only we are to dominate the heights. What right do ants have to be this high in the air?” And thus they took to spreading hatred among the animals for the Ant Queen. “Look, this Ant Queen seeks to control all the forest. She would have her armies do away with us all if it suited her. A fortress of that height is unnatural, and must be torn down.”

            And so many of the Animals went to war with the Ants, and a battle was fought to save the forest from the supposed threat. In the end, the animals succeeded in dethroning the queen, and the great ant hill was demolished.

            Before its demise, the ant hill had an unexpected effect upon one of the more curious creatures in the forest. The Humans, who hunted and gathered in the land, looked down upon it, and one of them had an idea. “What if we were to make such a fortresses for ourselves? Then we would not have to sleep in the cold rain all night.” The Humans took to the trees; cutting them down, and constructing crude homes out of them. The Blue Birds, having had their homes cut down by the Humans, squawked in dismay “What have you done? You were not supposed to take the Ants as examples!” To which the Humans responded “Perhaps it is better to ignore your foe, than lead others to him who might join in his cause.”

Dark Fables for Modernity: The Spider and the Arrogant Fly

 There once was a Spider, young and wise. He spun his web in the open where the foolish Flies buzzed, but not a single one flew into his web. Seeing the Spider’s struggle, the arrogant Fly landed below his web, and called the other animals to his side. “Cast your eyes upon this fool, who spins webs were his prey might easily spot him. Laugh at him, and his folly.” And the animals did laugh; all but the Spider who, to the surprise of all, thanked the Fly. “A fool indeed,” said the Fly, “this spider does not even know when he is being mocked!” With that, the Fly took off into the air, and was gone.

            A curious Squirrel climbed up to the Spider, and inquired, “Why have you thanked he who has made you out to be a dullard?” At this, the Spider smiled and said “I love my boastful enemy, for he shows me my weakness, as well as his own.” With that, the spider crept into a hollow log, where he spun a new web. There, hidden from sight, he caught many insects who passed through unsuspectingly. Among the Spider’s victims was the arrogant Fly, who he promptly had for supper.

Dark Fables for Modernity: The Bear and the Grasshopper

 A bear was trouncing through the woods one day, and stomping upon all the grass, ruining the food for Grasshoppers. Enraged, the Grasshopper confronted the Bear. “You fool,” he said “what an oaf you are, stepping upon my lunch!” The Bear responded in kind, “Aye, but what a fool you are for not eating it before I got here!” And so they went, arguing and debating, while the hyenas surrounded them, and laughed.

            After much heat and frustration, the Bear, sick of the Grasshopper, stepped upon him, and went beck to trouncing the grass. Having witnessed the gruesome sight, one Hyena looked to another and said in a grim tone “Antagonism is the death of persuasion.”

Dark Fables for Modernity: The Spider and the Fawn

There once was a mother who left her fawn’s upbringing to the care of the animals of the woods. “An open mind will bring diverse knowledge to my child,” she said, and she sent the Fawn on her merry way.

            Seeing the Fawn in need of direction, a small black Spider approached. He whispered in the Fawn’s ear “perhaps you are a beaver. Go help them with their dam.” The Fawn, being open minded, sprang into the water, gathering wood and bringing it to the Beavers. But the Fawn was clumsy, and could not swim well. She broke the dam, and the Beavers yelled her away.

            Again the Spider whispered in the Fawn’s ear “if not that, then perhaps you are a crow. Go fly with them.” So the Fawn spread her legs, and attempted to fly. “No, no” said the Spider, “you must be a baby crow. Go up to the nest with your brothers.” The Fawn promptly climbed a tree, and sat in the nest. For a moment all was well, until the tree branch began to bend and break under the weight of the Fawn. The nest came tumbling down, and the mother Crow squawked and squawked and made the little Fawn run away.

            Having brought disruption to the forest, the animals grouped together, and berated the black Spider. “That is quite enough of that, Mr. Spider. I think you have done enough whispering for one day.” Then they turned to the Fawn, and said “it’s time to go home to your mother. She will tell you what to do from now on. Your mind is too open for this forest.” Terrified, the Spider turned to the Fawn. “Hide me from these beasts, lest they squash me for helping you!” But the Fawn, having closed her mind, refused him. “So your mind is now toned with logic,” said the Spider, “fine, but hear this logic; I have helped you in honesty, now please reciprocate the gesture.” The Fawn agreed to this reasonable request, and the Spider climbed into her ear, and up into her head.

            At once the Spider began spinning her web in the caverns of the Fawn’s skull. With its many legs he took up fiddling with the gears and buttons that controlled the Fawn.

The Fawn was not seen for many days, and a search party was sent out. When the animals found the Fawn, she was high up in a nook, hidden deep in a damp cave on the edge of the forest. A web was all around her, and she was chewing on the grubs of the cave. Her mother was called, and she tried to reason with the Fawn. “Please, dear, come down from that nook and graze on this fine grass out here in the sunshine.” But the Fawn’s mind was closed now, and she only looked around for more grubs.” The Mother, beside herself, raged at the Spider. “How dare you, foulest of animals in the wood. You are a manipulator of youth, and an evil creature at that. You are a fool that knows nothing of how to raise children.” Hearing these words, the Spider leaned out of the Fawn’s ear.

“It is you who is the fool. You should have known that Spiders spin cob-webs in open minds.”