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Vol 1, Issue 1 |
 Page 13 |
Monday, July 31, 2006 |
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Von Rumproast continues ... Erika was eager to answer again. “Yes! In fact, that may make a great merger since the owl is smart and focused. Assuming that the turkey is too large for the owl to kill, it may combine the best of both birds, the turkey being plump, productive, and efficient at what it does best, eating, and the owl, a leader.” Giggles followed, but the professor was pleased. “Any comments on how a tern, gull, swallow or pigeon leader would stack up in a merger setting?” I raised my hand. “Gulls and pigeons are great moochers and beg for food whenever they can. On the other hand, swallows and terns are swift flyers and effective in their pursuit of insects and other foods. You give me a swallow or tern any time, if you want to get a job done, but I’d stay away from those darn gulls and pigeons.” “Not bad, Jim. How about cowbirds and cuckoos? Do any of you know what these two birds share in common?” Bill responded. “Generally, they both lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and escape the responsibility of raising their young. If we’re comparing birds to people, these people transfer their duties to others and avoid responsibility. “To all parents who may be raising cowbird-like leaders at this time, my message would paraphrase a line in the famous country song, ‘Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowbirds.’” The class and Von Rumproast burst out laughing at Bill’s comment. Von Rumproast finally gained control. “It appears you get the point. The avian kingdom can help us to understand CEOs, their companies, and the future success of business mergers. “I hope our session today has given you food for thought. But, enough fowl remarks. Class dismissed.” If I told anyone that we compared business leaders to birds, they’d question Von Rumproast’s sanity. However, they’d wind up eating crow. Which reminds me, a turkey sandwich wouldn’t be half-bad right now.
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Peace on Earth: An Oxymoronic Phrase or a Possibility? By Bernard Levy After a morning of writing, I treated myself to one-half ounce of Scotch and accompanied my 24/7 writing companion Cheddar, the golden retriever, to a favorite wooded glen for some cogitation – me; and serious sniffing and calling-card deposits - Cheddar. Towering firs and fragile ferns led us to a clearing I had never seen before, although I thought I knew every cranny of this special place. Cheddar stayed close. And, there they were, a semi-circle of a most varied array of creatures. We had apparently stumbled upon a forest meeting of squirrel, rabbit, cougar, eagle, fox, a doe and two young humans, sparsely-dressed, in attendance. Playful pursuit was not on Cheddar’s agenda, and he stopped in front of me. The fox guided us to the group and said, “Good job, Cheddar. We knew we could count on you.” The fox turned to me, “Okay, Mr. Writer. We don’t understand why this earth is such a mess. We’re sick with worry and angry about how the humans have fouled the earth, water and air and wage war over silly differences. We’re trying to figure it out. Any ideas?” I was amazed; talking animals? “Hold it. Why me? And why the meeting? Who are these people? How come you can talk my language?” The fox turned to Cheddar, “Didn’t you tell him?” Cheddar, to my amazement, answered, “Are you serious? Did you think I could talk to him in his own language, let alone tell him about this meeting?” |
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