I found this fable I’d written back in 2007. It reminds me of a couple of the stories we read in the Bible. Just something to think about this Friday afternoon…and perhaps even bring a smile to your face.
The Owl, the Turtle and the Weasel
There once was an owl named Hoot. Hoot was very excited; he was starting high school. Hoot put on his very best hat and his snazziest bow tie and headed off to the big school house in the woods.
“We will be doing something special this week,” Hoot’s teacher announced. “I will be dividing you into teams of 3 and you will write a paper about the effects of global warming on the forest.”
Hoot clapped his wings with glee. He could do that. He loved to write.
The teacher assigned the teams and Hoot fluttered over to wait by the wall to see who would be on his team. The first to arrive was a weasel named Sly. Sly scurried over to Hoot and began to make a plan, “Hey, I’ve the grandest idea for this paper Hoot. I’ve heard that you are an awesome writer. Why you are known all over the forest for your literary works.” Hoot beamed with pride as Sly continued. “Why I’ll bet you could write this paper with one wing tied behind your back.” Hoot nodded his head, “Whoooo me?” He beamed.
Just then Hoot and Sly were interrupted as their last team mate sauntered up. “Hi, my name is Slowpoke,” he drawled. “I’m from Turtle Creek and my turtle ancestors have lived in this area for hundreds of years.”
“Well it’s about time you arrived,” Sly muttered, “Hoot and I were just planning how he was going to write our paper. He is the best writer around you know,” Sly winked in Slowpoke’s direction.
Slowpoke’s eyes widened as he pulled his head back into his shell. “Sounds just great to me,” his voice echoed from inside his shell. “Just call me if you need anything. I’m always glad to help.” Then, Slowpoke’s shell rattled to the floor as he retracted his arms and legs deep into his hiding place.
Hoot looked on in surprise as snoring began to come from the shell almost instantly.
Sly patted Hoot on the back, “Looks like it’s you and me, big guy. Here’s a pen. Let’s get writing.”
Hoot took the pen and began to write. Words spilled onto the paper. Every so often Sly would pat him on the back, “Good job Hoot, this is great stuff!”
As the paper was completed, Slowpoke popped back out of his shell. “I was thinking about how you should add that we are really upset about this whole global warming thing,” he stuttered. “Yeah, yeah, good point,” Sly remarked as he grabbed the paper from Owl’s wings and snaked his way up to the teacher’s desk to turn it in.
The next day when the papers were returned, Hoot rejoiced. He had received an “A.” Sly looked at his paper and began to pound the desk in anger. “Where is my A,” he demanded. “Why did Slowpoke and I not receive an “A”?”
The teacher looked from Hoot, to Sly, to Slowpoke, “Hoot explained how this paper was written.” she said. “You let Hoot do all the work. You merely stood by and cheered him on. You did not work as a team. Therefore, you got what you deserved.”
Moral of the story: If you give a hoot, contribute.
