As we embrace Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ take time to read “Why Birds Fly and Fish Swim” by a student from Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child in Pasadena, CA.

Why Birds Fly and Fish Swim

by Rowan Procter ‘15

In the beginning, birds, fish and beasts were all land animals. This lasted for a long time and everyone was happy.

Then came the humans.

The humans started killing things. They killed the furry animals for their pelts and the tasty animals for their flesh. The humans liked the feathers and meat of the birds, and the scales and flesh of the fish. Not only were the birds and fish being killed but with the humans rapidly multiplying there just wasn’t room on the land for everyone.

Something had to be done. But what? The birds, beasts and fish all had a big meeting. (Nobody invited the humans.)

“Something has got to move off the land,” said the dragon. (She was the leader because of her great magic. Her lieutenants were the griffin and the unicorn.)

“We can’t kill a species,” protested the lion. “We’re not humans, for goodness’ sake.”

“That’s not what I meant,” sighed the dragon. Honestly, she thought. “I meant that there’s lots of space we’re not using. The air, for instance, or the trees.”

“Oi!” exclaimed one of the monkeys.

“Well, maybe not the trees,” admitted the dragon. “But how about the water? I can swim, and I’ve seen: there’s lots of room in the ocean.”

“Really?” said a dolphin.

“Oh yes,” said the dragon. “Whole empty chasms, forests of seaweed, plenty of things to eat—”

The shark turned towards the condor. “Fight you for it,” he grinned.

The dragon cleared her throat and held up a deck of cards.

The swordfish and the owl stepped up.

It was a long and furious battle. Twice the dragon had to reprimand the owl for cheating, and the swordfish didn’t have much of a poker face. As the tension mounted, the griffin and the unicorn had to deal with several scuffles between the smaller birds and fish.

Finally, after several hours, the dolphin laid down the final hand.

Ace King Queen Jack Ten. All spades. Royal flush.

The fish started cheering, jumping around and hugging each other. The birds were less enthusiastic.

“Where are we going to go?” cried the robin.

“Let’s deal with the fish first,” said the dragon. She gathered the fish before her and, along with the unicorn and the griffin, cast a spell to transform them and send them to the sea.

Then they turned back to the birds.

“Right,” said the dragon. “You may have lost, but trust me, flying is pretty cool too.”

“I don’t want to fly!” squawked the turkey.

“Me neither,” said the ostrich. “I’m staying right where I am.”

“Fine,” snapped the dragon, irritable because magic often gave her a headache. “Suit yourselves. Your loss.”

The birds who didn’t want to fly went off the side while the dragon, the unicorn and the griffin dealt with the rest.

Then the trio gave useless wings to the remaining birds and sent them off. The dragon went to lie down because of her migraine.

And that’s why fish swim and birds fly.

(Lenten Reflections on Laudato Si’ by Terri MacKenzie, SHCJ, will be available on November 1st at http://ecospiritualityresources.com/lent.)