Unsigned Books

A Modern-Day Fairy Tale  

Mother nature had created all creatures in the enchanted forest equal. Each and every little critter, from the tiniest little-ant to the biggest and heaviest eleph-ant, knew how equal they were. Even if yet another eleph-ant won the caber toss match, the little-ants knew that one day they could beat them if they just trained a little harder, for they were equal. One fine day, a grand ball was organised to celebrate the differences that made them all equal and to honour mother nature who made them that way. The two unicorns had appointed themselves as the party planners, for they were the most loving and lovable creatures they knew. Of course, everybody else was equally loving and lovable.  

Six months before the event Charlie and Meghan sat down together in the meadow. Charlie, the elder, had a brilliant idea. He suggested to design a flag that symbolised their differences that made them equal. “This flag,” he said, “should contain all the colours of our alicorns. It could be hung all over the ballroom as a sign of respect.” Full of pride he looked at Meghan and continued, “All creatures would look at it and see how their thoughts, ideas and feelings were incorporated into the symbolism of this flag.” This, they both thought, would be grand.  

Three months before the event, the two of them sat down again. “Everybody,” Meghan said, “has to be invited. We have decided on the theme, now we will just have to send out all the invites.” The theme of course, was ‘Come As You Are’, for everybody was accepted the way they were. The time had come for them to write the invitations. The front of the card had a nice big drawing of the flag they had come up with. It also had the date, the time, the place and everything one needed to know about this wonderful happening. Charlie and Meghan were sure everybody would be there, and they would have the best of time.

“You know,” Meghan said, “I have been thinking about this. What if we did not invite the goats.” I know what some might think here, but of course she had very good reasons not to invite the goats as she explained right away. “Their socks are just not the right colour. They always go on and on about how great their pink socks are, and how they are most likely the best colour for socks. But we all know that blue is a much better colour. Don’t you agree?”  

Charlie considered this remark carefully. “You are quite right there, Meghan. The way they prance about, showing off their socks. It makes one think they feel better than others. It does not seem to fit in with the idea behind our Bal Dansant.” 

“Of course,” Meghan went on, “everybody is allowed to come but isn’t it a proven fact that blue is actually a better colour than their pink? Maybe they could come, but they would have to change the colour of their socks. Don’t you think?” 

“Sure,” Charlie agreed, “I will write it down on their invitations: blue socks only.” 

After such a big decision, it was time for a snack. They both enjoyed a nice cool drink while writing the next invites. Then Meghan had another thought. “You know, the fishes oppose the king, don’t they?” 

“It is thus. They feel that we would be much better off with another system of government. They had a name for it, but I have forgotten what it was. Do you think it would be best if we did not invite them?” Charlie asked. 

The fishes believed it would be better for their nation if they had a chosen leader. A poll, for example, could decide who was to rule the country for a certain amount of time. Then another poll would be held after that time and another leader could be appointed and so ad infinitum. Everybody knew this was utter nonsense. It would never work. They both agreed it would be best if the fishes were not invited as they would just upset everybody else with their presence. Unless, of course, they would let go of their silly thoughts and started embracing the idea of a kingdom as the best form of government. 

“I am so glad we are organising this ball. Everybody will love it and have a great time. It is so nice that we can all just get together and celebrate our equality. It makes the world a much better place.” Charlie finished another invitation to the curvy hippos with a smile on his face.  

“Listen, my friend,” said Charlie with a dash of doubt in his voice, “I was just about to write the card for the worms … .” 

“Ah,” said Meghan, “I see what you mean. Don’t they live on the wrong side of the forest?” 

“Yes, they reside near the border on the east side. You know what that side is like. Nobody wants to be seen in that place. It gives everybody the creeps. Maybe we could ask them to move to a place nearer to the west, and in return they would be allowed to come to the party. Do you agree?” 

“I quite agree with you there,” Meghan said nodding her head and signing her invitation to the plus-sized elephants. 

“Do the purple badgers still believe that it was not mother nature who created us but that we all crawled out of a big grey litter bin?”  

“Oh my, you are right, they still do. Let’s tell them they are allowed to join in on the fun provided they change their beliefs.” 

“I feel we must. We are, of course, celebrating the equality mother nature has created us with.” And Charlie put the invite to the blind moles in an envelope.  

“Aren’t you excited we are finally going to have everybody in the forest together in one place!? It will be so nice to see everyone enjoying themselves no matter what they look like, what or who they are,” Meghan said with a smile on her face.  

“That reminds me, Meghan, that the pigs have always seemed to be kind of jealous of the winged animals. I believe I have often overheard them say things like that they do not think animals were made to fly. Is it wise to invite them?”  

“Quite so, Charlie dear. It is common knowledge that pigs think like that. We should tell let them know they are not welcome if they do not start seeing things our way. After all, this party is to celebrate our equality. They, too, have a right to fly. If they would put more effort into it, they could, I am sure. Lighting a candle in the darkness is better than to curse it. We will write it down on their invitations.” 

They were nearly at the end of writing all the cards. Of course, the peacocks could only come if they stopped showing off their pretty colours as it was upsetting the zebras. The horses were only invited if they started wearing an alicorn to show their appreciation of the unicorns. Naturally, everybody was invited to the Bal Dansant and all were more than welcome to celebrate equality.  

It was such a pity that a lot of the critters had to cancel for various reasons. To some the party had come at a bad time. There were those who had fallen ill. Others were too caught up in work. A few had somehow forgotten. And then there were those who thought it was best to stay in and hit the sack early. But all the unicorns were there, the walls were nicely decorated with their flags and all agreed that this was the best party ever to have been organised in honour of mother nature and the equality every creature had been created with. After the festivities Charlie said upon Meghan, “Let’s do this again next year.” And Meghan could not have been a prouder unicorn.