A Fable

Once upon a very long time ago, before the animals had lost their ability to reason, a dispute arose between the bear and the snake. The bear was willing to settle the problem by brute force, but the snake, knowing that he would be ripped to shreds in seconds was less willing to fight without some rules. So they went to the council of animals. The council consisted of the donkey, because he was a hard worker, the dog because he was very loyal, the tortoise because of his age, the elephant because of his gentle strength, and the owl because of his wisdom. However, the owl was visiting a sick friend, so only the donkey, the dog, the tortoise, and the elephant were on hand.

“Here is my concern,” voiced the snake. “If the bear is permitted to settle this dispute by force, then we will dissolve into anarchy. I am willing to fight, but the bear has huge claws and sharp teeth. The fight would not be fair, and I should lose in a moment, as would any other animal who would come up against the bear. He could easily become a tyrant.”

“What is your suggestion?” asked the donkey, speaking for the entire council.

“If animals must fight, then I propose that we have a rule. Since not all animals have huge claws or sharp teeth, I submit that no animal be permitted to use these in fights.”

The council thought about this for a moment, and since it seemed fair, they agreed. This especially appealed to the donkey, because he had neither claws nor sharp teeth.

“Furthermore, since some animals, like myself, do not even have arms with which to hit, or legs with which to kick, I also propose that these be banned in fights, also,” added the snake. “Since all animals have bodies, I propose that bodies be the only things which animals are allowed to fight with.”

At this suggestion the council began to voice concern. Even the relatively unarmed donkey still had his ability to kick. To deny him this simple defense seemed to be too much. “Since the owl is not here, I believe that we should wait on ruling on this matter until he returns, sir snake.”

But the snake replied, “surely, something so simple as a fair fight should not require the owl’s great wisdom. I am not asking for some great ruling on complex matters, only a simple ruling on having fair fights in the animal kingdom.” The snake continued to cajole the council trying to force a ruling.

Finally the council conceded that since every animal had a body, the only fair fight would be body to body.

The snake then told the bear he was ready to fight. But, it was no fight. Without his claws and teeth, the bear was quickly crushed in the snake’s coils. The snake then challenged any other animal who might dispute him. He quickly became the tyrant he portrayed the bear to be.

When the owl returned, he found that the snake had deposed the council and was now ruling the forest. Since he was no match for the snake, he fled to the top of a high cliff.

Finally, the fox came to dispute the snake’s tyranny. As they prepared to fight, the snake struck out at the fox. The fox grabbed the snake’s neck with his teeth and began to rip the snake’s body with his claws.

“Unfair!” cried the snake. “You are ignoring the council’s ruling and using your teeth and claws on an animal who has neither teeth nor claws. I am defenseless.”

“Ha,” replied the fox. “You tried to ensure victory by making sure that all animals fought only with their bodies, but our weapons are teeth, claws and hooves. Your body is your weapon. We cannot fight with our bodies, but yours is made for fighting. I will not give up my weapons while allowing you to use yours. The council may have been duped by your cunning words, but I am not.” With that, he finished off the snake.