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An excerpt from, "Unapproved Tales... as I wish they had been told when the world was
young,"
Inception:12/18/96
Last Revision: 8/1/97
"Rabbiton", an Allegory
Copyright (c) 1997
by Greg Kaiser
If predation was illegal and a fox was put on trial, what would the verdict be that was
rendered by a jury of rabbits and mice. Predation might well be outlawed by a population with
a majority consisting of rabbits and mice.
Such a population might vote to award diminished rights to coyotes, owls, eagles and
other such undesirable elements because of thier obviously deficient intellectual abilities and
lack of moral rectitude. Such a majority though, for all thier good intentions, would be unlikely
to succeed.
Perhaps if birds of prey formed the majority, only the predations of the earthbound
would become unlawful. The waterbound predators could conceivably be restricted if fishing
birds could form a strong enough alliance and consequent lobbies. This is unlikely because
the majority are rabbits and mice and it might also leave a loophole for otters to slide through.
More likely the rabbits and mice would fall under the influence of some predator.
Say... the jackal for instance. I believe they could, with the support of rabbits and mice,
suppress predation. Jackal predation would be renamed "the natural economy" and jackals
would be called businessmen. All other predators would be persecuted.
When the earth was young people were more often able to learn from animals.
Especially young people. Some older people learn but it is more difficult when you are
required to already know it all.
At the time I am speaking of, people had no laws. As more and more people were
born and crowded together more closely, disputes began to arise. Before that time everyone
gathered their own food, built their own shelter and made their own clothes for themselves
and their families. But after awhile most of the good places where occupied. So, naturally,
disputes arose over land, property and things that people in close company find to squabble
about.
As people began to see each other more often some realized they didn't have to work
anymore and began taking what they needed from others. This, of course, created disputes
and others realized they could live by collecting fees to settle disputes.
This system worked until the bullies, who had more than they needed to live because
they took so much from others, began to pay larger fees to those who settled disputes in
order to insure favorable outcomes for the "natural leaders" (what the bullies had begun to
call themselves). Some people started thinking about creating laws, like the animals had, for
settling disputes and protection from leaders.
A certain young couple named Sori, a 17 year old woman, and Imod, her intended,
decided to visit the animal world to see how the laws were working out. They hoped to come
home with some good ideas and some notion of problems to avoid. They were not required
to work, like most 17 year olds, because their parents collected huge fees from settling
disputes.
Sori and Imod came first to the rabbit town. They saw many rabbits living; busily grazing or
tending their young. They asked one about the laws of their land.
The young rabbit seemed afraid to talk but said, in a subdued monotone, "the law
protects us from predators".
Sori observed, "I've seen no predators since we entered animal land, it must work
well". And it was true that as Imod and Sori wandered looking for subjects to interview they
had seen very little animal life whatever. Only a few insects and small birds were to be found
until they arrived in Rabbiton.
"Yes, the law is good", said the rabbit timidly and bounced off before another question
could be spoken by either of the researchers.
Then they looked up and saw two jackals approaching in a purposeful manner.
Before the couple could give greetings the uglier of the two demanded, "tell what you were
talking about with that rabbit".
"We asked about laws in your community.", answered Imod, "We have travelled
here to learn about them because our people are thinking of making some laws."
"Hmmph! Well you'd better talk to the leaders about that, it's no good talking to
rabbits, you'll only cause trouble and that'll be trouble for you!" The jackal continued, less
harshly but more knowingly, "We've been watching you outsiders to see what you'd try. You'd
better come with us and talk to our captain."
Sori and Imod were upset over the rough treatment, especially because they didn't
understand what they had done wrong. But they were afraid to refuse. How could they?
They were in a strange city. They knew no one there but each other. They could only trust
the law to protect them and they were beginning to wonder about their assumptions
concerning the law. But the captain turned out to be a lot nicer than his goons.
Captain Mottle appeared to be a well spoken and thoughtful jackal. He soothed their
fears and reassured them concerning the effectiveness and goodness of the justice system.
"Please excuse the boys", he said, "there job is to protect the rabbits and they are concerned
that no one upset the little guys. You saw yourself that the rabbit didn't want to talk to you.
It's because they are happy and don't wish to be disturbed."
"I'm glad to know that" replied Imod with mock enthusiasm, "It is nice to know
someone watches over the bunnies", with more sarcasm than was comfortable for Sori. She
thought, correctly, that Imod was under estimating the captain.
She said, in a matter of fact voice, "Yes, they appear quite contented." She spoke for
effect, knowing she had seen only a few rabbits and talked only to one.
"It's an expensive proposition", ventured Mottle, trying to impress the girl, "but we are
fortunate to have the opportunity to serve."
"It must be", stated Sori, "What services do you provide"?
"They are allowed to build burrows and make trails on our land. They are permitted
to graze and forage. We protect their right to mate and reproduce. And we provide police
and military protection from outlaw predators and rival warrens."
The captain caught a breath and was about to go on as Sori thought, "This guy really
stacks it", but cut in with, "I'm glad you made the time to talk to us and give us the proper
view. We should be on our way soon but you mentioned the expense of watching over the
rabbits. How do you pay for it?"
The captain gave Sori and inquisitive look before he answered, "Well of course we
collect a twenty-five% of increase fee from the rabbits, to cover expenses."
"Oh, ah, ...increase?"
"Yes, twenty-five% of the increase in population at maturity", answered the Jackal.
Sori was shocked but concealed it and, managing something polite, got them out of
there before Imod could say something that might endanger them both. She didn't like those
animals very much and feared Imod might speak before he thought and get them in real
trouble.
She steered her boy right on out of town. By the time they found a campsite Imod
was steaming. He wanted to head right back in there and tell the captain how disgusting he
thought it was to keep those rabbits under false pretenses when what was really intended
was having their children for dinner. Sori had to mention that maybe jackals had no aversion
to young people, for their plates, before he would sit down and think about his
impetuousness.
They had been looking forward to dinner in town that night but decided they'd better
stay out of sight and talk over the situation before making there next move. They ate some
cold food, set up their sleeping bags, and got comfortable. Soon they were discussing their
day's adventure.
"They talk as if the laws are for the protection of the rabbits and their livlihood, but
laws really just give the jackals a monopoly on predation and make the rabbits their slaves.",
complained Imod, "I doubt the rabbits are better off than before the laws existed. I wonder
how things got to be this way?"
"I wonder that too", answered Sori, "But I think we should define more clearly where
they are; then talk about how they may have gotten there. We don't really know enough yet
to make any but the most tentative explanations. But let's state clearly what we do know so
far. Let's start with the fact that these rabbits probably can't survive without this system."
"Yeah, I guess so, those miserable jackals have a monopoly on survival.", replied
Imod, "The law allows them to determine who lives and who dies, who is free and who is
imprisoned. With that power they can control who breeds and what the future will be. The
rabbits were getting along fine for hundreds of thousands of years before the jackal's system.
They must have used coercion! It's scary!"
"True, but maybe it's also vulnerable.", said Sori thoughtfully, "Maybe there is a way
to get to the jackals through the fact that their own survival also depends on the system. A
system which requires the continuing cooperation of the rabbits. In any case, I want to see
more, in a bigger city, where there is more variety of occupation and population. Then maybe
we can get a better picture of how things really are in this economic system."
Imod agreed, and after they decided where to begin their search in the morning, he
went to sleep. Sori continued thinking about Rabbiton. She knew they were on the verge of
involving themselves in the affairs of another society because they felt offended that such a
society should exist. They had come hoping to find a solution to problems of their own world.
What they had apparently found was the same situation evolved to an institutionalized way of
life. Perhaps they could at least discover how to avoid making their own problems worse.
But she would have to help Imod control his anger or they wouldn't learn anything. They
needed a lot more information before anger might be useful.
In the morning they both woke to the realization that whatever happened next their
original quest was at an end.
"I was thinking, Imod, if we attempt to question the leaders about their system
someone will sense our hostility and information will become impossible to get. We could be
considered a threat and arrested... or worse. But we came here to learn about their system.
That's what we told Captain Mottle. Let's stick with that and add to it that we are considering
setting up our whole operation according to their model. Then maybe we can get them to
ackowledge somehow that it is all a fraud."
"You know, this place really sucks! Maybe we should just go home and forget it!"
"No, silly, I want to see more. We've only been to one rural community. I want to see
a city. I want to know how animals other than rabbits are treated. Are their humans and if so,
what is their role? And besides, Greg likes this story and he doesn't want it to end yet. And
Greg always has the final word.
TO BE CONTINUED...
APPENDIX A
This document may be copied and distributed freely if and only if
it is copied in it's entirety, including title page and appendices
and no charge, monetary or otherwise beyond reasonable copiing and
transmission expenses, is made. I reserve ownership of this property
and all copyright priveleges.
What you have read is a draft of a fragment of the work I wish to
accomplish. But since I am unemployed (EE) and homeless I spend a lot
of time simply struggling to survive. I want to ask you to help by making
a monetary gift to me so that I may spend more time writing.
If you care to help to provide me with the purchasing power I
will need to continue to reflect on problems and communicate the
products of my thoughts to you. Please send your gifts in the form
of checks or money orders. (I would gladly accept cash but they say
you're not supposed to mail it.)
payable to:
GREG KAISER
PO box 22935
Tucson, Az. 85734
If you are so kind as to send $25.00 or more I will place you on
a list (unless you ask me not to) of persons to be made charter
members of "A SOCIETY OF CULTURAL REFORMERS"; should such
an organization ever be formed and should I be in a position to do so.
The preceding is to me a better stratagem for survival than
standing on a street corner with a sign indicating that "I will write
for food". I prefer this less humiliating form of begging.
Thank you,
Greg Kaiser