Fable

There is a tale seldom told, for it starts happily enough, and that is where these tales normally end. The tale takes place at a wedding, which is both the end of stories, and the beginning of a new life. This wedding did not end as planned, and the couple did not live happily ever after. It is because of one man, Johnny Francobolli a sniveling red fox. Johnny is an interesting man, but he is not someone you want at a wedding. He is loud and obnoxious. He always likes things his way and he will never try anything new. The bride hates him with all of her heart, as does Johnny hate her; but the Groom loves Johnny, and they are best friends. That is the only reason Johnny went to the wedding, even after numerous petitions.

First Johnny was to be the best man, but the bride had convinced the groom that it wouldn’t work. Attention would have been drawn to Johnny, who would make weird faces and noises during the wedding. The groom agreed, and asked if he could be an usher. The bride disagreed and said he would be flirting too much with all of the guests as he would escort them. Finally the groom convinced his fiancé that he could come, merely as a guest. Johnny would be out of the way, sitting in the back. There is nothing that he could do to interfere with the wedding, or so the bride and groom thought.

And so the wedding began on March third, in the year AD 333. The wedding was outdoors, in an open meadow in southern France. The bride thought this would be a good location because Johnny hated traveling, and would have a long walk from northern Germany. The bride was mistaken, and Johnny arrived, on time no less. He seemed pleasant enough, so the bride and her maids went of preparing for the wedding, for it was just about to begin.

The groom, a handsome wolf from northern Italy by the name of Brutto, greeted Johnny Francobolli. “How goes it my brother,” said Brutto shaking paws with Johnny. “Ay, what is with all this French food? Neither beer nor bratwurst lines the tables,” Johnny growled in disgust. “At least it is all free, now enjoy yourself, the wedding is about to begin!” Brutto said, as he galloped off as he was needed.

Everyone went to their positions. Guests were seated in the meadow. Brutto was up front with his groomsmen on one side, while the other side was reserved for the bride and her maids. A cocktail sang a song as the bride entered the meadow with a veil over her face. As much as Johnny hated the bride, he found her to be the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She was a snow leopard by the name of Virginia. When the ceremony began, Johnny slowly walked in circles and fell asleep. His loud snoring bothered everyone, but they ignored him and continued with the wedding.

“JOHNNY!” Brutto barked, “Get up before I beat you up!” Johnny growled “Five more minutes…” Brutto was biting Johnny’s ear until he got up. “The reception has started, you can eat now,” Brutto said as he walked off to his wife Virginia. Johnny Francobolli looked over all of the foods, all very French, none very appetizing. Johnny eyed a crepe filled with some gravy and assorted meats, and took a quick bite. Johnny was expecting the worst but got the best. Johnny was in heaven. The food was actually good, even delicious. Johnny finished the crepes, and ate at least half of everything else.

But Johnny Francobolli was not finished. He needed something to wash it down. He wanted beer. There was no beer at this wedding reception though, only the finest champagne. Johnny only like beer, but he thought since the food was so good, then maybe the champagne would be also. He tried a small glass, and it was delicious, but the small glasses were not sufficient. Johnny found the waiter, a lobster, and asked him where they kept the bottles of champagne. The lobster, not knowing any better, pointed to a tree off in the distance. Johnny found the stash, drinking bottle after bottle. After he finished three bottles, he stumbled back to the party.

Dessert was being served. The very best chocolates, candies and of course cake were on display. Johnny, usually hating sweets, but after having so much good food already, and being a little drunk, couldn’t resist the desserts. He stuffed his face in everything, and ate until his stomach couldn’t fit another bite.

And that is when it hit Johnny. He was sick to his stomach. His head was spinning and his stomach was growling. He tried to run off to the forest, but his coordination was heavily altered. He ran into a couple tables on his way out, and just made it to the tree line as he threw up. Johnny felt much better, and turned around a couple of time before sitting down to take a nap.

No one but Virginia had noticed the incident. She had hated Johnny so much before, but today Johnny was different. He had been out of the way most of the day, not bothering anyone sans the snoring. Virginia both felt sorry for him and was proud of him for not being his usual obnoxious self. Virginia decided to head over to Johnny.

Virginia waltzed over to Johnny as her husband entertained guests. Johnny was awoken to a soothing purr “Wake up Johnny.” Johnny woke up and smiled when he saw Virginia. “Sorry about the mess…” Johnny said, but was cut off by Virginia. “Don’t worry about it, let’s go for a walk.” Virginia purred. Johnny agreed and walked with Virginia. They made small talk as they got further and further from the wedding reception.

The two found their way to a Cliffside and sat down watching the sun set. Neither spoke to the other as the sun sunk into the horizon and the stars became visible above. In the cool night, Johnny and Virginia looked into each others eyes and then cuddled together, interlocked. Virginia made the first move, and they were kissing in a way that only felines and foxes can.

A few hours later, as Virginia and Johnny slept under the stars, a search party was formed to find Virginia, with Brutto at the lead. Brutto with the best nose known to all animals quickly found the trail of Virginia, along with another familiar scent. Brutto raced as fast as he could, leaping over all obstacles.

Brutto arrived at the scene with Virginia and Johnny Francobolli sleeping with each other. Brutto was furious and ran over to Johnny and bit Johnny’s neck, breaking it and instantly killing him. Brutto tossed Johnny over the Cliffside and barked at Virginia. Virginia tried to plead with Brutto to no avail, so Brutto threw Virginia off the cliff where she perished instantly. Brutto cried and howled to the night, and jumped off the cliff with the others.

Questions Answered

The process involved in narrowing the anecdotes was easy because there are just three main types of foods, and they would make him sick. And the other was the stages of falling in love. The first resolution is positive, the second is negative. There are many morals in this story, from “everything in moderation” to “don’t invite obnoxious friends to your wedding” and many in between. I think both reversals might surprise the reader, but I think careful readers will see it coming. I didn’t reread Belfagor, but I thought about in detail before starting the fable and during it. The most challenging part of this fable was the strict way of building a fable. I feel this would help me write another fable, but not any type of story because of the strict way the fable is constructed.