Peacocks – Elites Obsessed with Image.

Symbolize vanity and showmanship.

Represent leaders who rule more for spectacle (photo ops, summits, appearances).

They fight over who has the brightest feathers, ignoring the hungry jungle.

The air in the sun-drenched clearing often shimmered, not just with heat, but with an almost palpable sense of self-admiration. Here gathered the Peacocks, creatures of breathtaking beauty and flamboyant display, each vying for the center of attention. Their dazzling tail feathers, a kaleidoscope of iridescent blues and greens, were their crowning glory, symbols of their vanity and unparalleled showmanship.

Led by the resplendent, preening Lord Azure, the Peacocks represented the Elites Obsessed with Image. They were the leaders, politicians, and public figures who ruled more for spectacle than substance – the masters of photo opportunities, the grand architects of international summits that achieved little, and the omnipresent faces on every screen and stage. Their focus was not on the hungry jungle that surrounded them, but on the blinding brilliance of their own plumage.

They rarely engaged in the messy realities of the forest. The distant roars of the Lions, the strategic planning of the Eagles, the quiet cunning of the Spiders – all were secondary to the crucial task of maintaining their flawless public appearance. They would prance and display, puffing up their magnificent feathers, drawing all eyes to themselves, while the real work (or real suffering) often went unnoticed, or was conveniently swept under the rug.

Lord Azure, with his magnificent train and imperious strut, truly believed that his dazzling presence alone brought stability and beauty to the forest. He saw the Elephants as necessary, but somewhat drab, facilitators for his grand declarations. The Foxes he found useful for managing the duller aspects of negotiation, as long as they kept him in the spotlight. The Crows, with their constant surveillance, were tolerated only if they reported flattering angles of his displays. The Hyenas, with their mockery, were a persistent annoyance, often requiring elaborate counter-displays of virtue and false humility.

Their "battles" were fought not with claws or fangs, but with displays of sartorial splendor, rhetorical flourish, and carefully choreographed gestures of benevolence. They competed over who had the brightest feathers, the most impressive fan, the most captivating vocalizations, all designed to garner adoration and deflect attention from any deeper issues.

Lately, the forest had been facing a severe food shortage, a crisis amplified by the Rats’ consistent pilfering of granaries and the Vultures’ exploitation of weakened supply chains. The Squirrels and Rabbits, representing the everyday populace, were growing increasingly desperate, their bellies empty, their pleas for help echoing through the undergrowth.

Lord Azure, ever attuned to public sentiment (as long as it threatened his image), decided a grand gesture was needed. He announced the "Feathered Feast Initiative" – a massive, highly publicized banquet designed to feed the starving masses. He orchestrated it with meticulous detail: the finest, rarest berries would be displayed, exotic leaves would form the serving platters, and the location would be a sun-dappled glade perfectly suited for maximum visual impact.

He sent out invitations to all the major players: the Elephants for their gravitas, the Foxes for their negotiating skills (to secure the rare berries), and even a few carefully selected, less chaotic Hyenas to document the event. The Crows were ordered to capture only the most flattering angles.

On the day of the Feast, Lord Azure arrived, his feathers spread in their full, breathtaking glory. He strutted amongst the starving Squirrels and Rabbits, offering a single, perfectly ripe berry to a wide-eyed young Rabbit, while his entourage documented every moment. He delivered a soaring speech about unity, generosity, and the "bountiful spirit of the forest," his voice resonating with theatrical sincerity.

By John Ikeji-Uju

https://ubuntusafa.com/Ikeji

https://ubuntusafa.com/