| It has become obvious to all but the most | | | | in a single sitting. Indeed, once you've gotten a sense |
| unrelentingly stubborn apologists for the oil industry | | | | of its sharp humor and cerebral charms, you may be |
| that we now stand at a pivotal moment in the | | | | tempted to consume the whole thing while in the |
| history of our planet. As much fun as it would be to | | | | middle of a crowded book store. |
| make fun of Al Gore's pretentious drawl and | | | | Try to avoid this temptation, as you will find Fables |
| expanding bald spot, none of us can afford to ignore | | | | to be a veritable banquet of philosophical speculation |
| his clarion call for global change. With humankind's | | | | and belly laughs. How in God's name, you may be |
| carbon footprint leaving a catastrophic impact upon | | | | wondering, can one book offer such seemingly |
| Mother Earth, it is the sacred responsibility of every | | | | incongruous rewards? The answer to that question is |
| citizen to make a change for the better. We can all | | | | the secret of Quisling's triumph. He has crafted three |
| agree on that much, but the next question is a lot | | | | distinct but thematically connected tales,focusing on |
| thornier: How exactly do you start? | | | | some of the Earth's least respected inhabitants: a |
| As in so many vital areas of life, when confronted by | | | | clam, an ant, and an earthworm. Against all |
| a monumental task it is beneficial to start with | | | | expectation, Quisling turns these lowly invertebrates |
| something small. In other words, begin by taking a | | | | into heroes of truly epic scale. |
| "micro" view of your "macro" problem. Numerous | | | | By infusing so much ambiguous life and recognizably |
| studies have indicated that the more we are taught | | | | human foibles into its three-pack of protagonists, |
| to respect and even love the tiniest creatures, the | | | | Fables allows readers to understand these creatures |
| deeper connection we will feel to the planet at large. | | | | as reflections of ourselves. Laughable as the clam's |
| So if you're looking to address climate change in your | | | | frustration with the emptiness of his existence might |
| own way, you might want to start by picking up a | | | | seem, is our own periodic despair any less ridiculous? |
| copy of Fables From the Mud by Erik Quisling. This | | | | It all comes down to a matter of perspective, which |
| book, simple in structure yet profound in implication, | | | | seems to be one of Quisling's primary lessons. |
| illuminates the plight of Earth's smallest inhabitants in a | | | | After reading this timeless book, you may find |
| style that will make you laugh even as your empathy | | | | yourself thinking twice before stepping on the next |
| expands. | | | | ant you see crossing the sidewalk. He's a guest on |
| The first thing you are apt to notice about Fables is | | | | this ailing planet, just like you. And for all you know, |
| the fluid interchange between illustrations and text. | | | | he might be in the middle of an heroic struggle |
| This book has been designed with such a graceful | | | | worthy of mention in a book Fables From the Mud. |
| simplicity that you could easily read it cover to cover | | | | |