Splintered Dandelions: Few Are as Virtuous as They Seem

By Shekinah Philip

A restless orchid, a sparrow.
A tiger on the prowl.
A whirring wasp and a strangling vine.
Splintering dandelions.

Not all would qualify for the term virtuous. But it is a subjective term. Each has to survive, but would you agree with their methods to do so? And are their methods really that bad when compared to the human psyche? Good and evil can be tricky to decipher at times and it all boils down to a matter of perception in the end.

Read about the Miming Monkey, cold and emotionless. The Gambling Gibbon and many more tales in this collection. Each living creature corresponds to a particular human trait, each chapter a meticulous metaphor to whatever you choose to perceive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shekinah Philip
• Release date: Feb 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005483166

Book preview

Splintered Dandelions

Few are as virtuous as they seem

By Shekinah Philip

Copyright © 2021 Shekinah Philip

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Splintered Dandelions

2. The Miming Monkey

3. The Cedar

4. The Strangler Fig

5. The Porcupine

6. The Tumbleweed

7. The Black Widow

8. The Turkey

9. The Roach’s Conundrum

10. The Hazardous Hippo

11. The Wasp’s Sting

12. The Waylaid Moth

13. The Eagle

14. The Skittish Deer

15. The Ostrich

16. The Stubborn Ass

17. The Red Mangrove

18. The Pitcher Plant

19. The Grizzly

20. The Rancid Rafflesia

21. The Sparrow

22. The Brooding Vulture

23. The Frog

24. The Rash Rhinoceros

25. The Field Mouse

26. The Fungi’s Formula

27. The Whittling Finch

28. The Gliding Albatross

29. The Peppermint Plant

30.The Carefree Butterfly

31. The Tiger

32. The Pangolin

33. The Emperor’s Wait

34. The Ant

35. The Wild Horse

36. The Honeybee

37. The Orchid Mantis

38. The Pigeon

39. The Anglerfish

40. The Oyster’s Hidden Depths

41. The Pufferfish

42. The Matriarch

43. The Wildebeest

44. The Meerkat Mobilization

45. The Lone Spruce

46. The Octopus

47. The Touch-me-not

48. The Leech

49. The Gambling Gibbon

50. The Hermit

51. The Opossum

52. The Chameleon

53. The Mountain Goat

54. The Preening Peacock

55. The Farmer’s Oxen

56. The Aphid

57. The Python

58. The Honeyguide

59. The Mustard Seed

60. The Chaff

61. The Final Chapter

About The Author

Introduction

Splintered Dandelions was born from a flash of insight I had while blow-drying a Myna bird. It suddenly struck me, how people were as varied as the flora and fauna found on this planet. I always knew this, but it really hit me, you know?

The idea of seeing human behaviour, as that of animal, insect, bird, fish or even plant was intriguing. After all, we have always used them in similes and metaphors in our conversations. For example, as fast as a cheetah and so on. Why not take it a step further?

Each person has a personality so particular, that it is defining. I absolutely love human psychology and was ecstatic at the idea of comparing certain animals to human behaviour as a whole.

To me, the entire world suddenly became a huge food web with feelings. It is common knowledge that everything depends on something else for survival. I wanted to come up with something different. Something, where I was able to express the various human psyches.

Something, where man was the only dish in the food web. Every predator and prey replaced by a person. Each trying to live life their own way. Some with no regard for the people around them. And some, only intent on sapping away goodness for themselves. Some barely existing and some, blooming.

What I really love about this project is that you may take it as literally or metaphorically as you wish. I set this as a personal challenge. One I succeeded in completing before my 20th birthday. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

1. Splintered Dandelions

In a small spot

Just out from under

The shade of leafy green foliage,

Is a small cluster of flowers.

They aren’t particularly appealing.

The petals aren’t curled

As by an artisan’s hand.

They aren’t exceptionally large

Or petite.

They are plain when viewed

By the critical eye of the florist,

When compared to roses

Or tulips. Orchids even.

The flowers have bloomed.

Defying the gardener’s attempts

At removing the weed.

Dandelions.

A tenacious weed.

It has survived

The gusty winds and sudden torrents

Of unfeeling rain.

The flowers are yellow. Brash.

Made of tiny florets

Joined together at the ends.

The florets are themselves

Made by petals

In twosomes