Animal Fables VI: Owl

Once upon a time, there lived a stupid owl.

Yes, yes, we all know that owls are supposed to be wise and intelligent. But Eric, for that was the name of this particular owl, wasn’t. He was, by his own admission, stupid.

I’m stupid,” said Eric.

Yes, I know,” replied his friend, as if from out of nowhere. “But I like you anyway.”

Eric nearly jumped out of his feathers.

Wh - wh - where did that voice come from?”

I’m behind you! Just turn your head and look.”

Eric moved his head to locate the voice, and suddenly realised that he’d turned it all the way round. Through three hundred and sixty degrees. And he hadn’t broken his neck either. How did that happen?

Cool!” exclaimed Eric. “Look! I can turn my head all the way round!”

Yes, I know that too. I’ve been trying to tell you about it since you were little more than a fluffy owlet, but you were too stupid to take in the information,” said Eric’s friend, clapping his wings together in relief.

Eric was so thrilled to discover this new skill that he spent the next three nights just sitting on his favourite branch, spinning his head round and round. He did it again and again and again. Every time he performed a full rotation, Eric would sigh with contentment.

It’s great being stupid,” he thought to himself, “because you learn all these amazing secrets.”

Eric spun his head one more time, then promptly fell asleep.

The End.

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Comments: 1

    Hello AUW. Your fable made me want to write my own little one. I was trying to send it to you via my gmail but apparently there seems to be a hiccup somewhere there…It won’t let me access my email …it’s being fussy.

    Any way feel free to respond where ever you want…and if you want of course.

    If you want to see my little funny mouse sketch you know where to find me. (I enjoyed andre so I decided to have some fun of my own.)

    Take care and I hope you have a wonderful night.

    Mouse fable:

    Mr. Mouse was quite lost. He needed to go home but it seemed the more he searched, the more lost he became.

    Frustrated he asked one of the forest animals for help and they said why not ask the Cat for he knows the forest through and through. Mouse knew this was true, but cat also had a habit of eating mice, but yet, he had to get home. Could he trust Cat? So Mouse went to see Owl and asked what he thought of his plan. Owl hooted plaintively, “you must choose your friends wisely not all who offer help have your best interest at heart. Cat likes to eat and although the winter hasn’t started yet and there is plenty of food, what makes you think he won’t be hungry after so long a journey.” Mouse replied “but I must go home. I must be home by winter or surely I will die.” Owl hooted, “let me bring you home. But mouse was not convinced as he knew Owl too liked to eat mice and so he says and why wouldn’t you eat me?” Owl says “because you are my friend”. “Cat says he is my friend as well.” “Owl hooted, but I have wings and can carry you home. ”

    Very frustrated at his lack of options mouse goes off to sit by the lake and cry. Rabbit comes up and asks him why his is making more water for the lake. Mouse explains “I must rely on those that want to eat me to take me home, but if I don’t accept their help I will die from the winter so far from home because i am a mouse.” “What does a mouse have to do with you dieing?” “Well because I don’t have wings, to see the entire forest, or long legs that will take me over stretches of land in a short time, I don’t even have claws to defend myself.” “And now I must die.” Well says Rabbit if you are decided about it then stop making those sobbing noises and die quietly.” Mouse moans “but don’t you see I don’t want to die.” “Well then, you can use your other strengths to help you out of your situation.” “Strengths?…” he utters “But i have none. Do you not listen?” “Rabbit sighs patiently everyone has something, take that poor rock over their, it’s no rock, its turtle and his shell hides and protects him.” “Then what do I have?” “I can’t tell you what you have” says rabbit exasperated.” “You must know what you have. You are a silly mouse” and with that rabbit hops off.

    Later Mouse comes back to Owl and says “I accept your help to bring me home. How about tomorrow?” Owl accepts and the next day they meet. Owl holds little mouse in his claws and off they go till mouse sees his village and instructs owl to go down, but owl doesn’t go down . Mouse cries pitifully. “Please let me see my village one last time if you are to eat me. Render me this promise you have made.”

    So Owl lowers down to the village when without warning cat jumps on his back. Mouse leaps away and says “I have no claws, beak or wings to defend me but I am cunning. I asked Cat to follow us and promised in return he would have a bigger meal then myself.” And off mouse ran into the night as both Cat and Owl sat mesmerized on how such a small mouse had fooled them and how quickly his tiny shape could disappear under the shadow of the evening.

    Blue Seaurchin | 05.30.07, 02:22

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