The Donkey, the Elephant, and the Goat at a Public Meeting

audiobook

The Donkey, the Elephant, and the Goat at a Public Meeting

by Jack Preston

EN·~13 minutes·1 chapter

Chapters

1 total
1

Part 1

13:31

Description

A bustling town hall becomes the stage for an unusual debate, where a donkey, an elephant, and a goat step forward as symbolic stand‑ins for rival political forces. Their verses clash in quick, rhymed exchanges, each championing its own brand of patriotism, progress, and common sense. The lively back‑and‑forth captures the charged atmosphere of a public meeting where ideas and egos collide.

Written in a witty, lyrical style, the playlet lets the three animals spar over power, tradition, and the promises they make to the crowd. Their banter is sharp yet playful, offering a snapshot of early‑twentieth‑century political rhetoric while poking fun at the grandiose language that often masks deeper disputes. Listeners will hear how each creature frames its agenda, from lofty speeches to pointed accusations, all delivered with a rhythm that keeps the dialogue marching forward.

Beyond the humor, the piece invites reflection on how symbols and slogans shape public debate, reminding us that even the most earnest rhetoric can be a performance. It’s a brief, engaging encounter that blends satire with a glimpse into the era’s social tensions.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~13 minutes (12K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2016-03-16

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

JP

Jack Preston

b. 1888

Best known as the pen name behind A Canadian Bankclerk, this early 20th-century Canadian writer turned everyday work, money worries, and public life into fiction, satire, and poetry. He also published under his own name, John Preston Buschlen, and left behind a varied body of books from bank-clerk stories to political verse.

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