Author’s notes – the future of “feather & fur”
the story continues … teaser 3-9-2026
feather & fur – a 21st century fable, part 2
f&f part 2
feather & fur – grave waves
a 21st century fable
Copyright © 2026 John P. Healy
(like tree rings, wisdom’s way twines wider)
(scene 1 sketch)
Paws in the tide
Soaring eyes saw the signs. The tracks from the sea on the beach, mixed among pieces of plant debris and scraps of color.
The storm reshaped the landscape. The Council focused on local actions. Constant complaint with the pace of recovery precluded discussion about changes beyond the valley.
Officially there were no Council agenda items about remote impacts. Unofficially there was interest in the larger landscape. Distrust drove some. New horizons beckoned to others – a call to explore, to connect more dots.
Like a coach, Mirage helped Zach connect with other parrot flocks. And that relationship introduced tales of the sea to younger generations. Particularly among the smaller birds, eager to spread their wings beyond the inland fields & forests.
One particular group became Zach’s de facto eyes above & about the area. Mirage, able to fly only brief distances, delighted as well in the news this eager band of birds shared. They called themselves “Corsair squadron.”
And so it was one day that Luke (one of that aerial band), in a dare, flew the miles & miles to the coast, to see what Zach had only viewed (from a rocky bluff) as a distant glint on the horizon.
Copyright © 2025 John P. Healy
EPILOGUE Part 1
Has the storm provided enough time for the monkey’s coalition – Zach, Zeke et al. – to reassess how to deal with Rufus’ aggression? Was it even really about changes to policy, changing allocations of figs? Outreach needed to be better coordinated, while responding to ongoing misinfo, personal attacks, … Will Rufus double down in trash talking the status quo? Call for Council resignations? Attempt to corrupt the vote?
THE PLACE
“Gatherways” is sort of a valley, a place where mammals developed a cooperative, collective understanding of interdependence. A place not without conflict and challenges; but a place where, under wise leadership, almost everyone keeps trying to live as a community – cultivate a community of care, not dominance.
• Aesop’s fables > The Bundle of Sticks. For other versions of this fable, see The Father, His Sons, and The Bundle of Sticks. FableReads’ “25 Fables for Fun Quality Time” book (2025) contains this fable as well.
A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead them to misfortune.
One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than usual and each of the Sons was moping in a surly manner, he asked one of them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Then handing the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to break it. But although each one tried his best, none was able to do so.
The Father then untied the bundle and gave the sticks to his Sons to break one by one. This they did very easily.
“My Sons,” said the Father, “do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle.”
In unity is strength.
CHARACTERS
Monkey tribe (Barbary macaques)
Zach – steward in the monkey tribe, young son of Zeke.
Zeke – an elder in the monkey tribe, father of Zach.
Roland – one of Zach’s uncles.
Parrot flock (macaws – military, blue-and-yellow, scarlet, mini, …)
Rufus – an alpha middle-aged military macaw (with a bright-red patch on his forehead); a wily leader of his parrot flock, having risen to rule by combat or cruelty; politically savvy, he exploits perceived weakness in others; a key player in the rumor mill.
Mirage – an old, blue-and-yellow macaw, with limited mobility; a pirate in his prime years, losing an eye in that trade; now sort of a hermit, marginalized from any flock, but with a keen awareness of what’s going on; a storyteller, a shrewd avian sociologist & philosopher of sorts.
Dread – an adult scarlet macaw, younger than Rufus; Rufus’ main enforcer. Yeah, Rufus says Dread is his “cousin.”
TBD (mini-macaws, …)
FLORA
Blood fruit
AI Overview
Haematocarpus validus, commonly known as “Blood Fruit,” is a wild, woody climbing plant native to parts of Southeast Asia and northeastern India. It is known for its vibrant red interior and is traditionally used for both food and dye. The fruit is edible and has been historically consumed for energy, as well as processed into chutneys and pickles, while the plant parts are used in some ethnic medicines.
Characteristics
Appearance: The fruit is recognized for its striking red interior, which comes from a high concentration of antioxidants called anthocyanins. It is single-seeded.
Taste: The taste starts tart, like a mix of cranberry and raspberry, and then becomes sweeter, with a subtle metallic taste due to high iron content.
Growth: It is a resilient, evergreen woody climber that thrives in wild, tropical environments and is not easily farmed.
OTHER TAKEAWAYS
- true power is that which is shared with …
- it’s not all about smashing (the ball) – there’s the lob & drop shot
- “fairness isn’t the same thing as favor” – Mark Travers
- policy does not equal politics
