|
|
Barnyard
Unity
Something ought to
be done! Something has to be done about organization! This
chorus was echoed by all the birds and animals from Farmdale
to Woodland. Everywhere you
turned, the call for organization could be heard. Now, a
representative gathering convened officially to bring such a
union into being and to outline its purpose and its policies.
There was an undercurrent of
optimism evident as the monkey took his seat and pompously
opened the meeting. He outlined the agenda and stated that the
purpose of the meeting was to seek better understanding among
animals, to seek more co-operation in protecting each other
and to work for general amity among birds and animals.
Schemelly Skunk wanted to know if there was any provision for
discrimination against "certain" animals on the agenda. The
monkey assured Schmelly that this would be taken care of -- he
didn't say how.
The first order
of business was declared to be the election of a president.
Things got off to a bad start when Willie Goose nominated
Mickey Monkey for president. Jack Donkey laid his ears back
and with a long disagreeable frown he said, "I object to
having Mickey Monkey as president because of his monkey face;
further because we do not want any monkey business in our
society; third, we have no time to indulge in monkey shines;
and finally, we might just get started and have our entire
effort sabotaged if he would throw in a monkey wrench and
wreck us. I move that we nominate Willie Goose as president,"
said jack Donkey, hoping that someone would take the hint and
nominate him. No one did, however.
Mickey Monkey surveyed the audience for
the effect of Jack's speech and then started to laugh. He
replied, "While it is offensive to call attention to anyone's
looks, I am sure no one will accuse Jack Donkey of being
twofaced. If he were, he would certainly not be wearing the
one he has. I have no objection to Willie Goose as president,
but frankly I consider him a bit of a quack." At this, Jim
Crow burst into raucous laughter with his "Haw, haw, haw." A
titter went around the assembly and Jack Donkey dolefully hung
his head as Mickey Monkey won an overwhelming vote of
confidence.
"The next item of
business," said Mickey, "Will be the election of a
secretary-treasurer. We will now accept nominations for this
position." "Humph, " grunted the pig from the far corner, "Do
we have to vote on that? Doesn't everyone know that pigs are
born treasurers? Piggy banks are established all over the
country. No one in the animal kingdom has more experience in
handling funds than I have," said Hamhocks, the pig. For a
time it seemed that Hamhocks would get the position by
acclamation, but Biddie, the hen, cackled, "Whoever got
anything out of a hog? Furthermore, all the Piggy Banks have
been disgruntled, otherwise, no one would patronize them. I
think we should have someone more shrewd in that position, and
I nominate Jimmie Fox for treasurer," said Biddy proudly.
Hamhocks gave an angry snort
but Mickey Monkey eased the tense situation by adroitly
bringing the issue to a vote. The result was that Jimmie Fox
won by a narrow margin. Jimmie thanked everyone for this
confidence and promised to put teeth into the law if there was
a threat to rob him. As the fox grinned broadly, Doodley Duck
quipped that "Jimmie is well qualified to put teeth into
anything." The monkey was ready to proceed with the next order
of business when he noticed several old goats chewing gum in a
public meeting. He was about to reprimand them for their
manners when he happened to notice that all the kids were
imitating their bad example. Mickey ventured hesitatingly, "I
don't think it is becoming to chew gum..." Before he could
finish his sentence, Ferdinand, a gentleman of the bovines
bellowed, "And what is wrong with chewing gum? I chewed it
ever since I can remember. My mother taught me, and even
bawled me out if I didn't chew my gum. "You stick to your
agenda, Mr. President," said Ferdinand irritably. "Oh, well,"
apologized the monkey, if you want to look sheepish, go ahead
and chew gum. Perhaps that's all the culture you've got."
"Bah," interrupted the sheep, obviously insulted.
Mickey Monkey decided that the next
business on the agenda was to choose a name for the society,
and to outline its general policies. Schmelly Skunk suggested
that they call the organization, "Friendly Odors." Collie Dawg
barked he didn't think that name worth a scent. He preferred
calling it Barnyard Unity. After a heated debate it was
finally agreed to call the organization, Barnyard Unity. When
it came to establishing matters of policy, they seemed to run
into a stalemate without getting anywhere. Mickey Monkey
suggested they adjourn the meeting for a short break. However,
Timmy Cockerel asked for the floor. Timmy stood up and gazed
around in every direction. He preened himself and thrust out
his chest, then tilting his head back he shouted at the top of
his voice, "I'll tell you what I'll dooooo. " Everyone gazed
in the direction of Timmy, who was clearly elated with
himself, as the president called for silence; in order for
Timmy to take the floor and tell what he had to offer. At
this, Timmy wracked his little brain for ideas, paced up and
down the floor, then struck a stance and flapping his wings
for the most dramatic effect, he said, "I'll tell you what
I'll dooo. " "Haw, haw, haw," laughed Jim Crow. "Bah," said
the sheep in disgust. "Yes, yes," said Mickey Monkey
apologetically, "We will be glad to hear what you have to say
if you have something to contribute to the meeting, let us
hear from you. "
Again Timmy
strode forth, pleased that he was the center of attraction. He
exuded pride in every step he took. With everyone full of
expectancy, Timmy leaped to the back of a chair to command a
full view of the audience. There he throatily exclaimed, "I'll
tell you what I'll dooooo. " Old Biddie Hen was accustomed to
Timmy's bragging, and said, "Tut, tut, tut, shut-up." Gay
parrot repeated what Timmy had said, while the gobbler turned
red in the face and shouted, "Doubtless, doubtless." Mickey
Monkey confronted Timmy and said, "I will not tolerate any
more fowl language in this meeting. Timmy was thunder struck.
He turned his head sidewise and demanded, "Who's heckling?" No
one paid any attention to Timmy now, so he angrily left the
meeting. As he was leaving, he told the gobbler, "Well, if
they don't want to listen to me, let them fix their own silly
policy." "Probably, probably," said the gobbler, not wanting
to be drawn into an argument. His face turned purple with rage
though when he heard the parrot say, "There goes doubtless,
doubtless."
Mickey monkey was
getting bored. Once more he appealed to the group, "Has anyone
got something to contribute toward the policy of Barnyard
Unity? Tabby cat asked for the floor. Tabby purred, "I believe
we would understand each other better if we had some
testiphonies. I, for one, would like to give my testiphony.
"Look out, look out," said the Robin in alarm and distrust.
Tabby paid no attention, however, and proceeded to say, "First
of all, I think we should sacrifice more. History shows that
everything worth while requires sacrifice, and for my part, I
want to sacrifice more." Again Jackie Robin responded with
excited chirps, "Look out, look out." Jackie wanted to know
who Tabby intended to sacrifice next. Tabby started to weep.
"I don't know why you don't trust me more and have more
confidence in me. I have lots of influence with people but no
one seems to want to work with me," Tabby waited. "Me-eow,"
said the parrot, answering Tabby in her own , language. "Oh
Tabby," squawked Willie Goose, "You are always getting your
felines hurt." Tabby was a good talker and a smooth operator,
but she always interpreted things in her own favor and to her
own advantage. Consequently, no one could work with her.
Mickey Monkey was obviously
becoming discouraged. He began to frown and at last observed,
"I do not think it is possible to achieve Barnyard Unity. Our
NATURES do not blend and our aims are all basically selfish.
No one seems to have a remedy for the problem. I think we
should consider a motion to adjourn, we can send a delegation
to some place where they have more advanced information on
animal nature."
Jack Donkey
began to nod his long doleful face in agreement. "For once,"
he said, "I believe you are right. The real trouble is with
our natures. In order to blend into Barnyard Unity it will
require a change in natures." "Yes," agreed Mickey Monkey,
Barnyard UNITY does not exist and cannot be achieved until
there is a change of nature for all concerned. This is
fundamental to success." "Then," chattered the squirrel in
broken English, "Then we didn't accomplish nutting! I move we
adjourn until we discover someone who can change our natures,"
said Chatterbox Squirrel in despair. With that the meeting
broke up,
The only thing they
learned was that unity could not be forced on them, nor
explained to them or obtained by them. They all knew that if
it were to be accomplished at all, they would have to be
CHANGED CREATURES. Unity is not the product of organization
but of organism. Unity is not affected by policies but by
conforming to principles. Perhaps a demonstration of what
Unity is NOT, will enable us better to know what unity IS and
how to attain it.
| |