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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.
Mickie 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
Mickie, "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
Mickie 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.
Mickie 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. Mickie 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 Mickie 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. |
