Balancing the Equation
They gathered in a clearing— at the secret convocation spot. There weren’t many, but just enough; representatives of every feather, tail, scale and stripe. They had huddled round a gold elaborate historical object wrapped in a towel—a thing man-made yet otherworldly inspired.
Owl had seen it used eons ago, and Wolf had seized it and brought it here today. Rat sniffed it now, and declared it ripe for the occasion. So Cat began to rub an arched back across the belly of the golden lamp that was unraveling partly from within the clothe.
A coral smoke curled from the spout, and from the friction of the fur and whiskers a flame lit at the lip and revealed a specter hovering over with white turban, and arms folded across the chest, mustache, and beard. The giant stood silent despite having his feet suddenly held to the fire. At the sight of the light the insects lifted and danced before him to pay an homage: “Genie, Genie, Genie!!”
Lion rose slowly from the pride and thus began: “Genie, we are tired. Tired of the scourge on the face of the Earth that pollutes the air, the water, the soil... That kills for sport, wastes energy reserves on hate and war; and forgets again and again what good will is for—We are not against reconciliation and return to a fraternal order, if we could only get to the root of the trouble.”
A murmur lifted from the assembly. “It’s Man; it’s all Man.”
“That is, of course, Whoooo, ” said Owl.
”—but wwhy???” whinnied the herd of foals, old goats, and sows, until Bear growled, arresting every sound. Then Parrot let out a well rehearsed:
“Your wish is my Command! Your wish is my Command!! Your wish is my Command!!!”
And old Baboon coughed, and cleared a throat to resume: “Genie, we know the limits of your power and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to resolve the matter as best we can regarding How. Our question is but one— Please help us to understand just—
What Is Man’s Problem?!”