Sting in the Tail
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2020 by Walter Reimer


Prompt: anarchy


The cougar stood on top of a pile of bodies, the bullet-riddled corpses of the last defenders of the old order. The last government building provided a fitting backdrop for him, firelight silhouetting him as he raised his AR-15 over his head with one paw, and raised his other in a fist. “Friends!” he shouted to the others. ‘Friends, hear me! The last vestiges of the government are gone!”

The others cheered.

The cougar shouted, “There’s no more government! No one to tell us what to do!”

Everyone shouted, “NO ONE!”

“There’s no more bosses!” the big feline yelled.

“YES!”

“The way is OPEN,” the cougar shouted; “OPEN! TO A BETTER FUTURE!”

“HOORAY!”

“And I will lead you into that better future!”

“YAY!”

“Wait a minute.” The crowd suddenly quieted and turned as a chubby rat tucked his shotgun under one arm and asked, “Who put you in charge?”

The cougar paused and looked around. “Well, Friend, I led all of you to do this, didn’t I?”

The rat nodded sagely. “Yes, you did. You also said that there’s no one to tell us what to do.”

Like a tennis match, the other furs turned from the rat to the cougar who said, “That’s right. No masters, no bosses!” This was greeted by a cheer, but not as loudly as the previous ones.

“So,” and heads turned toward the rat, “you want no one to lead us . . . except you.”

“Who better to lead us into the bright future we’ve been fightin – “ The cougar’s voice was eclipsed by a blast from the rat’s shotgun. The feline pitched backward onto the pile of bodies, twitched twice, and went still.

“Can’t want anarchy, and then claim to be in charge of it,” the rat said. He started to walk away, tucking his weapon back under his arm.

He’d made it half a block before a few furs caught up to him. “Hey, guy,” a badger ventured. “Dude?”

“Yeah?” the rat asked.

“Who are you?” a hound asked.

“Name’s Jackson,” the rat said. “I’m head of the Philosophy Department at the University.” He stopped and turned, studying the ones who’d followed him and the burning buildings in the background. “Come see me when you get things sorted out among yourselves.” Turning his back on the group, he headed down the road.

Years later, they raised a statue to Jackson, with the inscription Father of His Country.



end