The Second Meeting
|
The Second Meeting Madame President spoke softly, distinctly, metaphorically. "It seems that the seeds of dissent have borne bitter fruit. WEarth is ever more overgrown with rank and tainted plants. We are here to decide if we can any longer brook such infestations. I call for position reports on the Domesticate Ban.” Alpha Wolf, whose clan had extensive knowledge of the in and outs of life alongside Domesticates, stepped up to the Speaker’s Rock. "During the First Meeting, several Cessation of Aggression Pacts (COAPs) were violated by both Wild and Domesticate. This may be the last straw,” he stated, fur standing on end from the intensity of his words. "As all Wilds know, in COAP protocols, the order of the day dictates that animals belay their battles and hungers--the better to serve the greater good with. Most important is the ‘Tempting Fate’ clause which clearly states that the wolf shall not dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall not lie down with the kid, the calf and the young lion must stay apart for good and all. Yet during the last meeting, lambs wandered willy-nilly into Wolf Territory and calves roamed near the Lions’ Lair. However, their witless mothers lacked effective strategies to keep their young in check and as a result, not only did Doms put their own kind in danger, they caused certain immature Wilds, a few young lions and wolves in particular, to break protocols. Injuries to both Wilds and Domesticates occurred, and two lambs died. This is unacceptable. "As all Wilds know, the tenets of COAP are specialized rules, not usually in force because a constant diet of restraint leaves something to be desired, and imbalances of desire can destabilize WEarth populations. However, COAPs are prescribed during meetings because large and complex gatherings call for extreme measures such as these. "But such subtleties are lost on Domesticates. Doms believe WEarth to be a place without controls, a place to do what they please when they please. They think because Wilds live without the external constraints of Rect-World that we are “free.” They have no comprehension of the interwoven constraints that rule our lives and behaviors. But even if they understood the fine points of WEarth protocols, it would not matter--Domesticates have been under the influence of external orders for so long they lack the ability to regulate themselves. "Wilds must take some blame for indulging Dom-foolery in the past, but now such ignorance takes on intolerable weight. Domesticates have been away from WEarth too long.” A number of pigs had made their way from Rect-World to attend this important meeting. Remaining downcast during Wolf’s speech, as the flow of his damning words came to an end they began to jump and squeal. "Madame President! We come on behalf of all Domesticates to pledge our cooperation. Oh, please, please, please, please, PLEASE do not deprive us of our only remaining connection to WEarth. We and all Domesticates have a deep dream that someday we will return to WEarth to find liberty, equality, fraternity...” Madame President replied only, “Your liberties will destroy us all.” "But is it not true that all animals are created equal?” cried the frustrated pigs. "Perhaps once, but no longer. Domesticates codes have been tampered with for so long that Doms are no longer the animals they once were.” The pigs grunted in dismay. “Are you saying that some animals are more equal than others? "No!” answered the lioness impatiently. “Equality is irrelevant. Domesticates are simply no longer suited for autonomous lives, no longer suited for survival in WEarth.” “But wait! You must listen....” begged the desperate pigs. "NO MERE PIG,” roared the now angry President, “tells a lioness what to do! The time for listening is over!” Dismissing the pigs with an ominous sweep of glistening claws, she announced, “I call for motions regarding the Domesticate Ban.” Panther and Great Horned Owl, both long-time advocates of a Domesticate Ban, nearly got into a fracas in their eagerness to make the first motion. Panther, however, was distracted by certain mesmerizing rhythms caused by short pink legs scrambling as fast as they could go to the outer limits of the gathering. Owl took advantage of Panther’s preoccupation with the running pigs to fairly hoot, “I move that all Domesticates be banned from WEarth Meetings, now and forevermore!” His motion was quickly seconded by the smugly satisfied Snake Consortium, more than pleased with the excellent progress of Meeting Two. From far away, wide-eyed pigs watched as the golden path of dreams closed to them forever. Panther, annoyed at being bested by a lone owl and a rabble of snakes, cast a long, dark eye on the hapless pigs and wondered when the COAP Protocols would be lifted so he could let the plump creatures feel his pain. At the same time, Bear Nation made a motion that Halfwilds be allowed to stay at Meetings, seconded by the Deer Populace. The motions passed virtually unanimously, and the final WEarth proclamation states the following: 
|
 |
 |