Ratquiem (758 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 2 on 12 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Puking Dog (View user info) at 2004-03-19 18:25:27 EST
Every day the rats would claw through each other to get to the food. They were born into this mysterious conglomeration; they were an aggregate body made up of thousands. Sometimes rats from the outside world would find their way into the group. Often scorned, soon they were left alone.
No rat had any particular order or place, except for the king rat. The king rat watched over all as they frantically lived, the only rule being that they must feed him. But in feeding him they found their own food.
Some rats were descendants of the king. However, though they thought themselves royalty, they were really no different than any other rat. At times they acted entitled, demanded respect, banded together, and threatened to leave the pack. Many other rats would worry for them then, and help them by giving them more food. Others attacked them. Usually they would stay and life would resume as normal. However, they often came from a mindset of scarcity, and felt they were running out of food, particularly when outside rats joined them. They would complain the most then.
Some rats were abused as pinkies, and therefore were angry at the pack as a whole. They deliberately sought rotten food to take to the king, but often didn't realize that the food they themselves ate was, in turn, rotten. They were a living disease, but the king would not banish nor disown them. Other rats begged for the king to kill them, which angered the abused further, but the king would not.
The goal of any given rat often would escape him if you were to ask. They thought that they belonged in the group because they had a purpose. Some would say, if asked, that their purpose was to contribute to the group by collecting food, but they would not admit that they collected food only so they themselves would not starve. In reality, they would be replaced by countless other rats if they were to die.
The king grew saddened by the rats' mindsets. They were increasingly blameful, righteous, and demanding. He thought, if only they could see that they have created themselves. But too many rats wanted different things, even though they would never realize it.
When the rats began to tell the king how bad things were, he listened sadly. They all wanted things their own way, but still wanted the limited amount of food for themselves. They did not care if their brethren were starving. There was much arguing and dissent, until the king finally addressed them all.
"My family, I have solved everyone's problems. We shall never want for anything ever again. You have all made it clear that life here is no longer good, and that foul food and trouble reign. I am sorry that I have allowed this, for I thought we could have done better together. However, it no longer matters. I have found the key to end all of our suffering, from this day forward!"
A triumphant cheer, like never before heard, broke out in the vast universe. The rats were nervous with anticipation, and chanted loudly, crowding ever closer to the king and his platform.
"Give it to us, king! We cannot wait! Tell us what it is!" Et cetera. The rats were squirming now.
The king simply nodded his head, his face expressionless. "Family," he said, "I give you the answer to all our ills..." and as he said this, he went to the outside door, the barrier between the universe and the unknown. He placed his hand on the door, and looked back at the rats again. He was disgusted with the pushing and shoving, the biting and scratching, the unrestrained greed. He turned the handle, and pulled on the door, and the rats witnessed the brightest, warmest light ever imaginable. They gasped in awe as the warmth hit them and the air swirled around them. Already they felt better. And then the light began to fade, and on their faces, the shadows of a thousand squirming bodies took form.
And the snakes entered and devoured them all, and all was forgotten to the rats.
User Reviews
Submitted by orph (user info) at 2008-05-20 09:05:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2008-01-26 20:25:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
To Experima: Read my Toothpick post. It's all I have to offer...
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2008-01-26 16:12:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
post more pukingdog.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2008-01-26 15:34:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-05-21 01:07:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Goddamnit my fucking computer sucks like christpuncher
Submitted by Puking Dog at 2004-03-23 23:20:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
No Comment
Submitted by Heimdallsman (user info) at 2004-03-23 15:23:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Right on.
Well done.
--HeimdallsMan
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-20 15:47:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yes, this is my little Uber analogy. I hope you enjoy it.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2004-03-20 03:09:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
fantastic.
Submitted by esso_merda (user info) at 2004-03-19 21:52:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You know, I kind of liked this at first. I found it maybe a little rushed. But after reading Phinch's suggestion that this may be a metaphor for Ubersite, I reread it and found it to be so. And it was good.
Submitted by heyzues (user info) at 2004-03-19 21:49:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by K.M (user info) at 2004-03-19 18:54:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was awesome. Really true.
BOREAF D AT WOK!~~?!?!
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-03-19 18:52:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
metaphor for ubersite?