I continue to be amazed by the slivers of Will H. Chandlee’s writing (my g-g-grandfather) that have apparent connection to world events today. Like his comment about the president and the press which I explored in a previous post, this fable of his that I’ve recently come across seems applicable today:
A Fable
By Will H. Chandlee
(no date, from typewriter paper in S. J. Turnbull archives)“Ages ago,” he continued, “representatives from every [part] of the animal kingdom were assembled in convention to devise ways and means whereby peace and security might be assured for all time, and after much ‘whereas-ing’ and ‘therefore-ing’, a treaty was signed amid great rejoicing.
“When it was all over, two fluffy old hens who had attended the gathering were waddling homeward down a dusty road, when the sudden appearance of a fox from a clump of bushes, caused the startled biddies to seek shelter in a nearby tree. Sir Raynard stopped beneath the timid clucks, and bowing gallantly said, ‘Do not be alarmed, ladies; pray descend that I may have the honor of seeing you safely home.’ The hens, charmed by his gracious manner, flopped down and the trio had proceeded but a short distance, when the faint baying of hounds caused them to stop suddenly.
“The fox pricked up his ears, hesitated for a moment, then said, ‘I regret being forced to leave you so abruptly, ladies, but those loud-mouthed brutes may be headed in this direction.’
“ ‘But you need have no fear, good sir,’ argued the hens. ‘As you know we have just witnessed the signing of the Peace Treaty.’
“ ‘That is very true,’ returned the fox as he made off. ‘But maybe the lop-eared so-and-so’s failed to attend the meeting.’”
If it is applicable–how? Who are the Hens and who is the Fox? More importantly, for they might not have ‘attended the meeting,’ who are the Rabbits? I could make guesses – the Hens the American people, the Fox a presidential hopeful, the Rabbits everyone on the other side; or the Rabbits the Bush Administration?
Alas this fable was likely written during Roosevelt’s time, begging the question, Do politics ever change?
Literary Lotus 