Page 35 - Fables volume 2

The crowd collectively shifted. They had been listening to a lot of
speeches.
“Thus we have seen the problem as well as the source of its
psychological support in people, a long history of inconsistencies we
cannot simply overturn in a single generation. Clearly something
must be done, for everyone’s good. The solution I present for your
consideration is Ethipets, effectively a re-emphasis of existing
religious beliefs to provide all of us with souls. Yes, that would get us
respect from church and state. We would also take on
responsibilities, of course—not least of which is sin, or the ability to
be culpable for our actions. To get to that Promised Land, where the
lowly iguana or despised hyena has equal standing with human
politicians and entertainers, we first must have names. All of us! Not
just the pampered pets and circus acts! That is the thin end of the
wedge to equality and justice for all! Are you with me?”
A roar of honking, howling, squealing and barking erupted.
“Then be it resolved that we who are already among the named
shall work with our human sponsors—let’s hear it for No Soul Left
Behind, for its enlightened participation in our movement!—through
Ethipets to influence American religious leaders and organizations to
do the right thing and stop the madness of war and mass murder on
our fellow sentient beings. Those leaders have been swayed before,
for good and for evil—to support civil rights for some of their
bipedal brethren, and to condemn and attack others as heathens—so
their positions are not immutable. Please leave your name at the door
so we may contact you for volunteer work. Thank you and—get used
to it—God bless you!”

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