sop's Fables

Everett Anderson

Description

sop's Fables - Here and Now brings common sense and humor to the 21st Century. The author deftly weaves into his stories and commentary an exploration of the Facts of Life - meaning truth is universal and applies to everyone at all times; ... what did you think it meant? .... Well, sure, that too. sop's original stories chose cute and perceptive animals to represent and inspire people in cute and perceptive stories. In like manner, our author, verett Anderson, blends humor, personal reflections and interpersonal observations from his multifarious years to convey his message in an entertaining, homespun, breezy manner.A book for all ages. The catalyst for the book was the author's desire to pass on, without rejection, the wisdom of the ages to his grandchildren, but the finished manuscript has found heartfelt (amen!) appeal to readers of all ages. The stories from the past and present and their inevitable conclusion have hit a responsive chord across generations; how could it not with Aesop as its guru. For teenagers, the book is a script for successful living. For parents, it is a welcome lesson plan and guide in their child's development. And for grand folks, it is a nostalgic journey and the answer to the eternal question, "What memorable, life impacting present can I give my favorite school child on their graduation?"Fundamental themes in life remain the same. verett draws apt stories from real life, fiction, and assorted philosophers, here and then, to pass on basic truths. Each chapter focuses on a different area of interest, from coronavirus and health concerns, to sex, love, God, death, horses, and more - topics that occupy so much of our daily effort. sop's Fables - Here and Now is an entertaining, thought provoking, reminiscent read.

Informations

• Publié par: Presentation Dynamics LLC
• Date de parution: 30 août 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781928564294
• Langue: English

Extrait

ÆSOP’s FABLES Here and Now
A Book for All Ages by Æverett Anderson
ÆSOP’s FABLES Here and Now
A Book for All Ages by Æverett Anderson
© 2020 Presentation Dynamics LLC All rights reserved
ISBN # 978-1-928564-28-7
Published by: Presentation Dynamics, LLC 2305C Ashland St., Suite 437 Ashland, OR 97540 541-292-7777 [e-mail]
Editor and Proofreader: Judd Robbins
To contact the author Æverett Anderson: [e-mail]
Cover Picture of Æverett’s Father
Front cover left-side picture is not ÆSOP or even Æverett ; it is a portrait of Æverett’s father (Ben Anderson, 1898-1982). The scene is an accurate depiction of Æverett’s home and life setting for three decades. There is more on Æverett’s father in chapter 11 , “They Shoot Horses Don’t They?”
The artist was Mark Storm. It took extra skill by the artist to get the cat to pose. Actually, the portrait is a composite, but all items were common on the farmstead.
The history of the windmill is interesting. Æverett observed the well being drilled as a boy. It was drilled during the rationing years of World War II when fuel, parts, and everything were scarce. The driller, a neighbor, brought in a tripod stand supporting a post hole auger apparatus. The drill was powered by a mule walking in a circle. The auger would be pulled and the spoil tapped out every two feet or so. The windmill/tank installation stands today.
The portraits on the front cover are featured in this book since Æverett’s mother and father along with a host of teachers, mentors, role models, and friends are Æverett’s Æsop.
Cover Picture of Æverett’s mother
Front cover right-side picture is a portrait of Æverett’s mother (Ruth Clipson Anderson, 1908-1995); Artist Ralph Didgerinon.
Mother chose the setting for the portrait. The dress was her favorite go-to-meeting dress. Each object in the portrait had meaning for her; her book shelf was heavily sprinkled with encyclopedias and reference books while devoid of romance and common fiction books (unlike Æverett’s bookshelf). There is more on Æverett’s mother in chapters 3 and 18 .
The bell in the portrait has a history, also. It was handed down from Ruth’s mother (Pearl McNeer Clipson). Pearl was a school teacher. In small schools of the day there were no automatic bells (no electricity, either) to mark the times – assembly, recess, lunch, dismissal. To begin school and to end breaks, Pearl would go into the yard, vigorously ring this bell, and order was restored.
The bell and both parents’ portraits are in the collection of the author.
Table of Contents
Chapter              Title
1 Truth and Wisdom “When social forces press for the rejection of age-old Truth, then those who reject it will seek meaning in their own truth.” 3
2 There Are Rules of Order Simple, universal rules for all people, ages, and times.
3 Nothing New Under The Sun But in the world? Each child is new.
4 Speak Well “Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.” 46
5 History Is Underrated I disliked history in high school.
6 Things Are Seldom As Good or Bad As Imagined … from the might Of joy in minds that can no further go, As high as we have mounted in delight In our dejection do we sink as low. 4
7 What If It Were You? Do not allow victims to pass judgment and mete out punishment.
8 Human Nature Does Not Change “All humans are savages. The ones who are well fed are just lazier.” 13
9 Human Life Is Not Sacred Be warned: this chapter is politically incorrect
10 Death Is Not So Bad Life prepares you for death.
11 They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Be of value or be made into glue.
12 Life Is Not Fun One of the sadder phrases in our lexicon is, “Are we having fun yet?”
13 Men And Women Are Different Please complete all histrionics – wink, nudge, roll of eyes, resignation, etc. – are you ready to listen now?
14 Sex Is Overrated (S, D, V , PG43) “When all is said and done, more is said than done.” 49
15 Love Is Overrated    1.  Love and sex are not the same   2.  Love does not conquer all.
16 Marriage is Underrated “Even birds do not lay their eggs until they have built their nest.” 35
17 Homosexuality Is A Fact Of Life Count to ten before expressing your opinion.
18 Yes, There Is A God ‘I do not ask if you believe what man says about God. I asked if you believed in God… ’ 6
19 Your God Is Too Small How do you limit God?
20 Habit Good, Addiction Bad Let’s talk about some addictions.
21 Poverty Sucks Learn four proven rules to avoid a lifetime of penury.
22 Cleanliness Is Overrated Isn’t “Cleanliness next to Godliness”?
23 Discipline Is Underrated When discipline goes unlearned, you have tyrants and heartache.
24 Power Corrupts Respect those who assume and exercise power without abusing it.
25 Grass is Not Greener Across the Fence Anything we do not have seems better than everything we do have.
26 Don’t Sweat the Small Things Virtually none of our worries actually happens.
27 The Most Beautiful Road We each have our candidates.
28 Handicaps Я Us Every person has handicaps.
29 You Are A Role Model Life teaches us how to be daily examples to others.
30 What If I Have Already Replanted? “When life gives you lemons, squeeze them” 11
31 Decided “Hey! Æverett or Æsop or whoever you are. You talk a fine talk and walk a high road, but….”
32 This is a Test What?! Nobody said anything about a test!
33 Test Answers Everything is a test; life is a test; life is the test.
34 Footnotes Seek and ye shall find.
35 About The Author One does not have to be perfect to live a fulfilled life.
Chapter 1 TRUTH AND WISDOM
In the words of the noted sage, distinguished philosopher, and accomplished fry cook, Odd Thomas:

“When social forces press for the rejection of age-old Truth, then those who reject it will seek meaning in their own truth. These truths will rarely be Truth at all; they will be only collections of personal preferences and prejudices.” 3
I may be about to prove that statement. I prefer to think I have objectively observed the machinations of the world and humanity and am prepared to guide you to an understanding of “age-old Truth,” known to me as Rules of Order. But you will decide.

“Truth is not always a welcome visitor…. The world frequently conspires to muzzle or destroy its truest seers.” 26
A certain grade school teacher was notorious for making every happening an opportunity to teach a lesson, i.e. “see children, that’s what happens when you don’t learn your participles, when you don’t wear clean underwear, when you tease your sister, etc.
One morning several kids were late. They explained the bus driver came to pick them up, and then remembered he had forgotten to put in his false teeth, so he tried to turn around and got stuck, and we had to wait for the farmer to bring his tractor to pull us out.
“See children, that’s what happens when you don’t brush your teeth!” 28
One of my children, in a dysfunctional moment after hearing me relate some story of my youth, said, “Dad, you should write your memoirs so those moments won’t be lost.” Even I, filled with unique experiences and wisdom beyond understanding, know that memoirs are an exercise in self service and justification; they are ovinely purchased and scanned by dutiful children and benevolent friends and neighbors.
So, not a travelogue: but I did want to be heard and use the opportunity to pass on lessons of life. My working title was Æverett’s Rules of Order. My plan was to explore Universal Truths, but declaring to know the truth has been so overworked I adopted Rules of Order using personal erstwhile experiences and the wisdom of the ages as a platform.
When my publisher read the manuscript he said, “Everett, “Rules of Order” doesn’t sell books. Let’s use your message and change the title to “Æsop’s Fables - Here and Now.” Since I had already exploited the title “Robert’s Rules of Order” and had indeed used Æsop’s “fable/moral” technique, why not?
Finally, I was christened Everett but adopted the pseudonym ÆVERETT; it is simply a play on ÆSOP’S FABLES and was actually the catalyst for all things Æsop in the text. I have long been infatuated with the “Æ” symbol; no reason, except as an “E” person (Everett, Excellence, Effervescent, Et cetera , E = mc 2 ) I just like its profile. I summarize the lessons at the end of each chapter by injecting a MORAL à la Æsop. Beyond that, I am not cloaking myself in ÆSOP’s immortality.

Did you know that many scholars agree that ÆSOP never existed? According to them, his book of fables is a collection of folklore by various writers over several centuries. 47 I wonder, will history decide Æverett never existed? That is a truth for Generation Omega.
Demographic My intended audience was teenagers. I had my grandchildren in view as I wrote. Young readers, expect a challenge. I will not talk down and I will not entertain; this is a textbook, not a story book.*

*This is a device called “lowering expectation;” my actual goal is to entertain while challenging.
But the finished product has appealed to all generations. Older children (in the 20 to 95 demographic*) are welcome to read. It is unlikely many minds will be swayed, but perhaps you will be entertained and your insights will be confirmed. If you agree with my analysis, nod approvingly and speak kindly. (If you disagree, then be disagreeable, so there!)

*I am not clear on the top age range, I just know that at 82 I am glad for yesterday, enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow, and appreciate a good book!
Some parents may want to read this book to their children using the text as a guide to instill values. You may want to skip the rather graphic parts on S-E-X. This will be an incentive for them to learn to read. Grandparents may want to pass on this book as a graduation gift.

AUTHOR’S NOTE Regardless of your age or background, there is going to be something in this text that turns you off or offen