The Sky Is Falling!

by Elisabeth_Long 

"The sky is falling because the world is round! The sky is falling because the world is rou–"

The shrieking stampede of Chicken LittleBrain and her friends Gullible Goose, Dopey Duck, and Thickwit Turkey came to a crashing halt. Truthful Fox, who'd leapt into their path, grinned at the group through a cloud of dust and feathers. The Fox's bushy red tail swished from side to side as he leaned forward.

"Goodness me, whatever is the matter, Chicken LittleBrain? Why are you and your friends causing such a ruckus?"

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling because the world is round! We must warn everyone! We must get to the Capital!"

Truthful Fox cocked his head. "Hmm. And why do you believe the world is round, Chicken LittleBrain?"

"Clever Crow told me! He did! He did! He came back from his long journey and told me the world is round. He said he saw the–the curve–of the horizon when he flew high."

"Nonsense." Truthful Fox sat on his haunches. "That conspirator crow is a liar and a criminal. You've been warned about him before. It's why he's always on the run. He spreads lies so people will panic and disobey the laws of the Leaders."

"But a piece of sky hit me in the head in the farmyard!" Chicken LittleBrain insisted. "If the world was flat like we're told by the Leaders, the sky would always stay up because it's a shelf like we're told too!"

Gullible Goose, Dopey Duck, and Thickwit Turkey flapped their wings in agreement. "Yes! Yes! That makes sense! We have to tell everyone!"

Truthful Fox frowned. "You allowed yourselves to believe what that evil Crow said and are now being silly. The world is flat. There's nothing to panic about."

"But it's true!" Chicken LittleBrain hopped up and down. "A piece of sky fell on my head because the world is round. I'm going to tell everyone at the Capital."

"So you don't believe me?" Truthful Fox watched them all shake their heads.

"Alright. Why don't you follow me?" he said. "I know a shortcut to the Capital."

Truthful Fox led the way to his burrow. "There's a tunnel in my burrow that leads to the Capital. It's not far."

And one by one, as the birds entered, he bit off their heads, tossing their carcasses into a corner for his dinner.

First though, he needed to find the Crow.

"The End."

The teacher slowly closed the book and gazed out at the class. "Now children, can anyone tell me why Chicken LittleBrain was wrong to want to make others believe the world was round?"

Several hands shot up.

"Yes, Jimmy?"

"What the Crow said was a lie. And Chicken LittleBrain should have reported that. She shouldn't have believed what Crow said. It's bad to make people believe things that aren't true."

"Very good. Now, what about what the Fox did? Why did he need to find that crow? What's the lesson of this story?"

More hands thrust into the air.

"Yes, Marie?"

"If you don't believe the Leaders and that the world is flat, if you tell people the world is round, the Fox will come for you and your friends and family."

The teacher settled the book upon her lap and smiled at the group.

"Remember, children. Always believe in the Leaders and be truthful like the Fox." She glanced up at the surveillance camera. Its red laser eye swished from side to side.