Hi there everyone...hope all yer ferrets are happy, healthy and dooking!!
 
Anyhoo, about this business concerning the book of the fairytale of the
ferret, badger and coyote:
 
I haven't read this book, but to say that it should have never been
published seems a bit drastic and silly to me.  Firstly, because that would
mean censorship, and well I live in the good ol' USA and for many reasons,
but one is that there is a freedom of speech, including publishing your own
book about whatever you please.  And it is the readers choice whether or not
they want to spend the time reading about whatever's being written.  Simple
as that.
 
Secondly, didn't you say that it's a fairy tale?  Well, then I guess we have
to take into context just what that means.  Fictional characters doing
fictional things.  Do you think the author(Brian Jaques) was trying to
compose a book containing educational information about three different
species of animals?  Of course not.  Then why try to compare it the the
Discovery Channel?  It is simply a Fairy Tale right?  I guess I kinda like
the idea behind the book (of course, I've never read it, but that's beside
the point)...peaceful coexistence between extremely different animals.
Sounds like a great fairy tale to me.  Obviously the reader must know, that
in the wild, a larger predator such as a coyote and badger, will probably
not have tea-time together with a ferret.  But then again, ferrets don't
live in the wild, unless you're speaking of a black-footed one, which is
much different than a domesticated fert.  Anyhoo, maybe the author wrote the
book with symbolism being the key point.  In fact, many fictional animal
stories have that same sort of idea behind them...ever heard of Puss in
Boots.  Now most sane people know that cats don't go around talking and
dressing up in hooman's apparel.  But there is a moral to the story.  Same
as The Tortoise and the Hare.  Do we really think that two wild critters are
going to form an organized race, to prove who's worthier?  Of course not!!
(Or at least I'd hope that other people don't think that).  It is in all
good fun, and usually has a moral behind the whole story.  Maybe the author
was trying to make a point.  That he believes that no matter how different 2
or 3 individuals may be, couldn't they possibly find a common ground and
peacefully exist together, maybe even become friends?  Of course, this is
not going to happen between these wild animals.  But I don't think that's
what the author had in mind.  Possibly he used the animals for an
entertaining and unique storyline, but gave them characteristics and
problems just like humans... so that the reader could enjoy the originality
of the storyline, and yet at the same time be able to relate the experiences
to their own lives.
 
Jennifer M. Coyer CVT
Fred- "Whatya mean I'm Inferior!?...I am the boss around this place!!"
Faya- "And I'm in second command, so watch yer bare feet..."
Zero- "I just want some ferretone and some kisses, please :o)"
[Posted in FML issue 2146]