Making Dilemmonade out of a Dilemma (Pt.4 of 7)

The day of the Forest Council meeting dawned brightly with a sunny sky and a slight breeze out of the south that rustled the birch leaves just slightly, making all the animals tingle with a touch of fall and the anticipation of a great happening about to take place. Just as the sun was warming up the clearing the first animals arrived. They came in clusters, whispering excitedly to one another. Nearly everyone was dressed in their finest clothes and many carried picnic lunches, not wanting to miss even a moment of the proceedings.

The Forest Council, headed by the eagle, Governor What, formed in a circle in the center of the clearing so all the animals could gather around the Council and none would be left out. The Council was elected by a vote of all the animals, but most of the members tended to be representatives of smaller groups of animals who banded together to nominate someone like them. That way their point of view and special needs would be represented as input to the Council’s decisions.

There were seven council members in all. Seated beside Governor What was Lucille Seal in a new pink crocheted hat she had made just for the occasion. “Cille, as she was called, had been one of the first animals appointed to the Forest Council and had served with distinction for nearly 10 years. Next to her was Froggy DelaPond, who had on his traditional white vest. He harrumphed himself into place and was followed by the venerable Dr. Greyson Bear, who was thought to be among the wisest animals in all the forest – next to What , of course. On the other side of the circle was Freedie Fieldmouse representing many of the smaller animals of hill and dale. He had on his newest gray pinstripe suit and white shirt. Next to Freedie sat Roger Racoon, one of the newest members of the Council and a representative of the scavengers. He had been elected after the tragic death of Father Jeremy Badger the previous winter. Finally, there was Barry Bluejay representing all the birds of the forest.

When everyone was gathered and the Forest Council was in place, What gracefully glided into the clearing and settled firmly in his seat as a hush went over the assembled animals. “Today, we are gathered here to decide what to do about the proliferation of nonprofit organizations that have come into being in the last five years,” he said. “This is a subject for this Council not because charities are bad institutions, but because the swelling number of charitable groups has caused concern, embarrassment, discontent and consternation among many of our forest brothers and sisters.

“I, for one, am very glad to see that in the hearts of so many of our brothers and sisters there is a generous desire to be of help to our community, and so many creative ideas of how this can be done. It is a credit to all of you who are assembled here that we not only live in peace and harmony with one another, but that we have the inclination, the ideas and the ability to provide for each other in times of special needs or opportunities.”

He continued, “As you know, my heart is with the new nonprofits, hoping for their success, since I was the one who first got Helping Paw off to a good start.” And here he nodded to Fleur LeBruin, as a measure of recognition for her work. “I’m satisfied that we have gotten things off to a good start with Fleur’s excellent relief work among our animal neighbors.

“But the fact that so many of our community have not only seen the benefits of having nonprofits, but have availed themselves of the opportunity of a better life through setting up such institutions has brought us here to resolve the problems created by having such a crowded philanthropic marketplace. This is an unusual, but nevertheless troublesome, situation. And we are gathered here this morning, first, to ascertain just how bothersome this phenomenon is. In that respect, we will now hear formal opinions and testimony from all in the community who wish to speak their minds on this issue. Following the testimony, the Forest Council will deliberate together over lunch, and into the afternoon, if that becomes necessary, then we will re-assemble the community to hear the Council’s decision, which will be final. Are we all agreed on the manner of proceeding?” At this, all the animals smiled or nodded in agreement, because What’s ability to command respect and his penchant for justice and fairness among the community residents was, indeed, legendary.