Edel Wignell - Short Stories

Australian Writer, Compiler and Journalist

A COMMENDED SHORT STORY

BREATHING IS A HEALTH HAZARD!

Acknowledgment:
Highly Commended, Moora Moora Short Story Competition, Australia: Theme - 'Giving Children a Future'; first published in 'House of Sprouts' Magazine; also in 'Challenge' (Victoria) and in 'Green Teacher' (Wales).

In the traditional folk tales of Borneo (Indonesia), the animals of the jungle
gather to discuss what can be done to stop humans from cutting down the
jungle (see Mervyn Skipper, The Meeting Pool, Penguin Books).
This is a talking-animal story in the same tradition, with animals from around
the world meeting to discuss what can be done about the disaster of pollution.

'Why?' boomed Bear. 'Why do Humans make the air so filthy?'
'Why?' echoed Elephant, trunk raised. 'We all breathe air with our lungs.'
'Don't forget us,' said Salmon. 'We fish breathe by gills.'
'Humans are making the water filthy,' cried Crab. 'As well as the air.'
It was a time in the future when the earth was getting more and more dirty. The air, the land and the water - once fresh and clean - were polluted.
Every kind of creature had sent a member to a Most Important Meeting to talk about action. Animals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects had come to a secret island. Some gathered on the land, some perched in the trees, some waited in the river and others swam in the waters around.
'Breathing is important for all of us,' Ant announced.
'After eating,' said Locust, mouth full of leaf.
'And sleeping.' Sloth squinted with one eye for a moment, then snored.
Kookaburra led the laughter. 'Three important things: breathing, eating and sleeping.'
'Let's get on with the business,' said Owl. 'Don't ask why. Humans know what they're doing, and they know they shouldn't.'
'I agree,' said Dolphin. 'Let's choose one of us to talk to Humans. I nominate Whale. Whale has lungs and an excellent brain - like Humans. And Whale is the largest animal of all.'
'No!' said Whale. 'For a long time Humans killed our family for oil and meat. Some have stopped, but some want to continue. Lion should speak.'
'Why me?' said Lion.
'You have lungs to breathe air, and you are a Most Important Mammal - the King of the Beasts.'
'I agree,' hissed Snake. 'I have one long lung, and Humans fear me. Did the English put SNAKE on their Coat of Arms? No, they put Lion.'
'But Humans are afraid of Lion,' said Squirrel. 'How about Kangaroo?'
'They don't respect me,' said Kangaroo. 'They kill me to make purses, stuffed toys and mats with my skin.'
'Ostrich!' Eagle exclaimed. 'Ostrich is the largest bird in the world.'
Head erect, Emu began, 'I am the largest bird in Aust...'
'Not Emu!' groaned Grasshopper. 'Emu eats grasshoppers...'
'Excuse me!' said Emu. 'I eat grasses and fruits as well as ins...'
Whale spouted to gain attention. 'Stop arguing! I am the largest animal, so I shall take charge of the meeting.'
'Don't ignore Insects,' murmured Mosquito. 'We are the largest group in the world - nearly a million known species. More than the rest of you added up...'
'Silence!' Whale spouted again. 'ORDER! I call for nominations. WHO SHOULD SPEAK FOR US?'
'I nominate Platypus,' said Spider. 'Humans wouldn't listen to me...'
'Scared of getting bitten,' Ibis interrupted.
'ORDER! LET SPIDER SPEAK!'
'I have book-lungs for breathing,' said Spider, lifting her abdomen for everyone to see. 'I can't expect Humans to understand my way of breathing.'
'Well, why did you nominate Platypus?'
'Platypus lives on land and in water, so Platypus can speak for all. Humans respect Platypus. They have made Platypus a Protected Species.'
Cheers rang out, with clapping and comments.
'Platypus!'
'Hurray!'
'Speak for us, Platypus!'
The noise died down.
'Where is Platypus?' said Whale.
At last Platypus came forward. 'Thank you, my fellow-creatures. I live mostly on land and spend only a few hours a day in the water, so I breathe air. However, I am shy. There is a creature who can speak confidently for all of us. I nominate Frog.'
'Frog?' the creatures whispered in surprise.
'FROG?' the creatures shouted in dismay.
Again Kookaburra led the laughter. 'Frog! Frolicsome Frog, Funny Frog, Friendly Frog, Foolish Frog. Hoo, hooo, hoooo-ooooo! Haa, haaa, haaaa-aaaaa!'
'SILENCE!' whistled Whale. 'ORDER! Let Platypus speak. Why did you nominate Frog?'
'Yes,' said Platypus. 'We think Frog is frolicsome, funny, friendly and foolish, but Humans have a great affection for Frog. They make toy frogs for children, frog jewellery, frog ornaments, frog pillows, frog salt and pepper shakers, frog key-rings... Child Humans have favourite stories and poems about frogs. They even eat CHOCOLATE frogs! Oh yes! Frog is greatly loved...'
Koala was jealous. 'Humans love Frog so much that they eat Frog! They love me, too, but they wouldn't eat me.'
'Smelly, grumpy, windy, eucalyptusy...' muttered Moth.
'SILENCE! Go on Platypus!'
Members of the Frog family hopped forward as Platypus continued.
'Frog is an AMPHIBIAN. As a tadpole, Frog breathes by gills, and as an adult, Frog breathes by lungs. Therefore Frog can speak for many creatures.'
'Not insects,' buzzed Bee. 'We have a maze of tiny air tubes. Anyway, Frog eats Insects...'
'SILENCE! Many, many creatures eat Insects, and I'm glad they do. If they didn't, Insects would take over the world. At any one time there are a million million million Insects alive. All objections by Insects are OVERRULED! Go on, Platypus.'
'Frog has a special weapon,' said Platypus. 'It's old - older than Humans. It's as old as the Dreaming. But Frog must tell you.'
There was silence as a special Frog came forward - a silence of remembering, a silence of wonder.
'Thank you,' croaked Frog, and no one laughed at the silly, croaky voice, for every creature knew the ancient power in Frog.
'You all know that one of our family is the water-holding Frog. When dry weather is coming, our family fill ourselves with water, and burrow deep into the mud.
'I shall remind Humans of the old, old story of the Dreamtime, when Tiddalik, the largest Frog ever known, drank and drank until there was no water left in the world.
'Humans, as you know, cannot live without fresh water, so I shall say that my brother and sister water-holding frogs have become very, very thirsty...'
'Very... very... thirsty,' murmured all the creatures. 'Very – very - thirsty.'
And once more Kookaburra led the laughter, for all knew what the outcome would be.
Frolicsome, funny, friendly, foolish frog would persuade those frolicsome, funny, friendly, foolish Humans to clean up the water, the land and the air.