The Gift Of Meat (From The Book/Audiobook: Sparks-Stories For Children Of All Ages) Audio/Text

And this is what they said:

Long ago, the world was filled with many plants and animals very different from today. All plants and animals had the power to speak with one another and be understood. But a few of the older plants and animals were mean to the new ones, even eating them when they caught them. Then, as happens every so often, a Great Change came and many of the first animals and plants disappeared.

The animals that were left called for a great Council of all those who had survived the Change. At this Council they recounted the stories of their relatives who had been eaten and made an agreement that they would not eat each other any more.

One of our relatives, the Wolf, approached the Human Beings and asked if they too would honor the agreement. The Humans agreed and generations passed that way, with humans and animals eating freely from the abundant plant life on the earth.

One season, a volcano spit a huge cloud of ash into the air and it grew very dark. All the living things huddled together wondering if another Great Change had come--for this is how the first had begun--with darkness. But gradually the sun emerged again. Unfortunately, many of the plants had lost their lives to this darkness. As the animals began eating them again, the plants began to complain to each other.

"Why are we always the ones who are eaten? We have lost so many, perhaps our families will not survive.”

They asked the Wind to join the tallest old trees in calling to the Grandfathers to see if anything could be done to protect their children. The Wind agreed, and the whistling trees could be heard even into the highest clouds.

The Southern Spirit, spokesman for all green growing things, agreed to talk with the heads of the animal and human families.

He asked the Ants to host the meeting, because they were to be honored for leading the humans through the last Great Change. All the blood-beings attended the council, from the very small to the very large. It was held where a River, and the Great Ocean all converged so even those that swim could attend.

The Three Sisters, beloved of the Human Nations because they had offered themselves eternally for humans to eat, acted as the spokesman for those green-growing.

"We have offered ourselves freely, but others have not", they whispered." "They are wondering why they should be the only ones to give their lives so that you might live." Corn waved her leaves gently as Bean hugged her stalk and Squash spread out its vines toward each of the families gathered there.

Corn continued. "We bleed when you break us. Is it because our blood is not red? We feel when we are hurt, and our Souls travel the same Great Southern Path as yours when we die. Why should we be given less respect?"

All those present hung their heads, unable to answer.

Finally the Shark, Many Teeth, replied. "We have an agreement in the salt sea. All of us have agreed to be both eater and eaten."

The animals looked around hesitantly. No one wanted to go back to the old way, but it seemed they had no other choice.

Finally, Bull Buffalo stubbed his hoof loudly and bellowed. "I am leader of a Great Plains Nation. We get our strength from the grass. We are nothing without our green-growing relatives." They have spoken well. It is not right that they should carry the whole weight of being the only food. My people and I pledge that from this day forth, we too, may be eaten of." One by one most of the other family leaders of the Animal, Bird, and Fish Nations made the same pledge. Even the Insect Nation stood and was counted. Only the Human Beings sat silently like stones. The meeting was concluded and all went away satisfied that if pain and suffering was to be endured, it should be endured equally by all.

Now, even today, the world lives eating and being eaten. But all the other Nations remember that Human Beings did not share the pledge, and keep their distance. Occasionally they hear of humans being eaten--and in the darkness, keeping their own Council, we have heard--they smile.