------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Jan. 10, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
EDITORIAL: A PARABLE WITH NO NAME The horses and the mules got to talking during the oats break. They were fed up with being whipped, overloaded and starved by Warthog, but didn't know what to do about it. Some wanted to tell the pig where he could go, but others worried that could cost them their jobs. And jobs were scarce these days, although goodness knows there was plenty of need for their services. "I know," said Storm. "Let's drop a load of bricks on him next time out." That cheered them up for a while, but then someone remembered what had happened to Shadow when she tried something similar. They thought some more. The lap dog wandered by, saw they were stretching out their break long after their meager fare had been eaten, and said, "So what are you all plotting now? Revolution?" Everyone was quiet until the hoof-kisser had gone. Then old Sparky spoke up. "Is that what Warthog's afraid of? That we'll all get together and give him the heave-ho? Not a bad idea." "I don't know," said Boots with a slight shiver. "Would we really be any better than Warthog? Wouldn't we just be exchanging one master for another?" "You've been living in the barn and wearing a saddle for too long," replied Sparky. "Those of us who sleep out in the field and pull the heavy loads don't think like Warthog. We're used to working as a team, looking out for one another. We could really change things if we all organized and gave Warthog the heave-ho." Storm said dreamily, "Maybe another world is possible. But it would take a lot of work. I say we just drop the load of bricks on him." It certainly was tempting. Warthog was at that very moment humiliating a new member of the team, a colt still only half- broken and chomping at the bit. All around were horses and mules going about their business, trying not to feel for the newcomer, just trying to get through another day. They wanted to do something, but they knew that without a plan, without the support of the others, it would only end in reprisals. The gang went back to work. Their days melted into one another. Their feedbags got lighter and lighter while their loads got heavier and heavier. Warthog was never satisfied with how hard they worked or how little they ate. He always wanted more. Want to know what happened? The ending is up to you. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
