I’m indie writer Teague de La Plaine, author of the bestselling Sea at Sunrise and other stories. This is my weekly newsletter, where I talk about writing and self-publishing in addition to my own life. I keep the newsletter free, because I prefer you spend your money on my books.
In an obvious homage to writer and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, I composed the following story. In keeping with the times, I employed my personal AI tool to illustrate. I also included a reading of the story I did…in a funny accent. Enjoy!
Nothing is finer than blue Hackelfish. Roasted with butter, a fine fishy-dish.
I’ve had it in China and Oregon too—I even once saw a live one in a zoo.
But, today no blue Hackelfish swims anymore. The fishermen fished them from this to that shore.
They caught every fish—and we ate them all up! As a steak or a burger or puréed fish cup!
We ate them in Paris and down in Milan. We ate them with capers and onions and flan.
We ate them for breakfast and dinner and lunch. We ate all the pieces—we ate the whole bunch!
So, now the extinct Hackelfish lives online. In forums and sites and reviews of white wine.
We ate them all up—they’re gone now, you see. The blue Hackelfish is a “was” not a “be.”
But, but, but, but—there's got to be something else out there to sup!
Aha! In the water we’ve found something new! It isn’t a Hackelfish, and it isn’t blue.
It’s a RAINBOW of colors that’s simply fantastic! Yes, today all the waters are brimming with plastic!
It comes in all shapes and all sizes galore. And it never runs out—’cause we keep making more!
And though it can be a bit tough, a bit chewy—it softens right up in quiche or a stew-y.
Yes, plastic’s the future of fancy cuisine. You’ll read all about it in fine magazines!
You’ll eat it and love it and still ask for more. Because plastic is all we’ve got left in the store.
But, but, but, but—someone has got to say this is enough!
Then, maybe the future of plastic can change. Maybe we’ll stop flushing crap down the drain.
Maybe the fish and the plants will come back. Maybe our choices can influence that.
Maybe your own little life can impact this. Maybe you just don’t know what every fact is.
Maybe you’ll fix your own life—rearrange it. And maybe…the world: you’ll go out and change it!
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