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]