UU Principles in Action: Fable for Children’s Chapel

Margaret Fleming, DRE
UU Congregation of NW Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ

Characters:
Matilda Mouse
Bertie Bird
Hippolyta Horse
Silvio Snake
Camilo Crocodile
Ellie Gator
David Dog
Katie Katt

Mouse: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our meeting. Let's begin with introductions. Tell us who you are and why you're here. I'm Matilda Mouse, and I've just come from UUA headquarters in Boston where I attended a workshop on starting a new congregation.

Bird: I'm Bertie Bird. Excuse me, but what does UUA stand for?

Mouse: Oh, I'm sorry. It stands for Unitarian Universalist Animals. We welcome any animal that wants to keep on searching for truth and meaning in life.

Horse: I'm Hippolyta Horse, and I'm glad to be here. I tried to join another congregation, and I wasn't welcomed because I have hooves, not paws.

Snake: I'm Silvio Snake. I've been made to feel unwelcome in lots of places just because I don't have any feet, so I'm hoping that won't happen here.

Mouse: It won't. We UUs welcome diversity, and we believe each and every animal is important. We're glad to have you both.

Crocodile: I'm Camilo Crocodile from Cuba. I want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism.

Alligator: I'm Ellie Gator from Florida. I think we may be related, Camilo. My ancestors came from Cuba.

Dog: I'm David Dog. I'm interested in saving the earth for animals in the future.

Cat: And I'm Katie Katt. Hi, David. My folks taught me to hate dogs, but I hope I've overcome that prejudice. UUs believe we should accept one another and keep on learning together.

Alligator: Right. We believe all animals should be treated fairly and kindly.

Mouse: All right. Now, we need to have a name for our new society. Any suggestions?

Horse: How about Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tucson Animals, UUFTA for short?

Cat: I don't like that acronym.

Mouse: Any other suggestions?

Horse: What about Tucson Unitarian Universalist Beasts Association?

Snake: That's TUUBA.

Bird: Doesn't that leave out the birds?

Dog: No. A bird is a beast.

Bird: Are you sure? I don't feel like a beast.

Alligator: What about Tucson Unitarian Universalist Fauna Fellowship?TUUFF?

Crocodile: Tucson Unitarian Universalist Living Beings Association.

Mouse: TUULBA?

Croc: Aren't we getting a bit pompous?

Alligator: Why don't we put it to a vote?

Mouse: Good idea. We UUs believe in using the democratic process for congregational decisions. Now, how many want our society to be called UUFTA? (Show of hands)

Mouse: How many want TUUBA? (Hands) TUUFF? (Hands) TUULBA? (none) OK, the winner is TUUBA—

Tucson Unitarian Universalist Beasts Association.

Snake: Excellent choice. Let's start planning our first service.

Mouse: Let me make one point first. Since we're a small group, we'll all have to pitch in to perform the necessary functions of a congregation.

Horse: Well, I'll be willing to act as minister. I have a deep voice, and I'm tall, with a commanding presence.

Bird: You think a hoarse voice is a good thing for a minister?

Cat: I'll be the choir director?in fact, I may have to be the choir. But I have a fine voice.

Dog: Yes, some of us have heard you yowling (I mean singing) at night.

Alligator: Well, Camilo and I would make good ushers. We have the biggest smiles in the group. And we can take up the collection in our mouths.

Bird: And I can pick it out of their teeth. I guess that makes me the treasurer.

Snake: I'll be the publicity director. I get around fast and I can cover a lot of ground. I'll start recruiting more members.

Mouse: Maybe you can be the pledge drive chairman too.

Dog: I'll take charge of R.E. I love teaching, and I'm very good with young animals.

Mouse: Well, that leaves the role of office administrator for me. I think I can do it. I was chosen to start this congregation because I'm so well organized.

Dog: When shall we have our first service?

Horse: How about next Sunday? I already have an idea for my sermon.

Cat: And I have a great musical solo in mind.

Croc: I can be ready to smile at all visitors.

Alligator: Me, too. And I'll write their names in the guest book.

Snake: This is great. I'll start slithering around right away, getting the word out.

Alligator: Wait. Now that we have ourselves organized, and our first service planned, we ought to have a social concerns project.

Mouse: Good idea. We UUs are very socially conscious.

Dog: We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.

Cat: We could work toward living in harmony with the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part.

Snake: That's unnecessary. We already live in harmony with nature. It's humans who are destroying the planet.

Bird: Maybe we should try to change some of their attitudes and practices.

Crocodile: Hopeless. Let's try something more realistic.

Dog: I know. What about doing something for the homeless. We could have a bone kitchen for them.

Cat: You forget that not all of us like bones.

Bird: We could have a worm kitchen for homeless birds.

Mouse: Or a cheese kitchen for homeless mice.

Alligator: How about a food bank--that could include food for all kinds of animals.

Horse: Good idea. Do you all agree? (nods and yesses) All right, then, Silvio, can you start publicizing this and asking for donations?

Snake: Sure.

Mouse: I'll make some phone calls to some of my connections.

Bird: I'll start rounding up bits of grass and leaves.

Dog: I'll ask my favorite butcher shop for a bone donation.

Snake: Let's meet back here a week from today to report on our progress.

Mouse: OK, everyone. Well done. The first meeting of the Tucson Unitarian Universalist Beasts Association is adjourned.