A Reptile on Fire

The U.S. struggles to design our emblem.

   1782: Dr. Franklin came running into the committee room with his coattails in a knot and his powered wig only half on! Already there were Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson.
"Franklin! Where have you been?" Adams bellowed "You're half an hour late!"
"I'm so sorry!" Dr. Franklin adjusted his wig and took a seat "I got stuck in a carriage jam!"
"Alright then," Mr. Jefferson began "Now that we're all here let's begin. Now that the U.S.A is it's own country, we need an animal to be on our countries emblem. I was thinking a bird because birds sort of represent freedom, since they can fly anywhere! What do you guys think about it being an eagle?"
Adam's scratched his chin "How about a reptile instead?"
"What? Why a reptile?" Jefferson thought for sure his idea would catch on.
"Because, they're survivalists! They survive everything! It sends a message that we will survive!"
"But reptiles aren't quite a strong enough symbol."
"Then a reptile on fire!"
"What?"
"With shotguns!"
"No! Adams that's ridiculous! We aren't going to make the symbol a reptile! Pick a bird!"
"A Pterodactyl? That's a bird?"
Jefferson sighed. "Dr. Franklin what do you think about an eagle?"
"Well," Dr. Franklin adjusted his wig once again "I like the idea of a bird, but I think an eagle just doesn't seem to fit our countries theme. What about a turkey?"
Jefferson was glad they were getting somewhere now."A turkey is good, but it doesn't fly so how does it represent freedom?"
"It struts so it has swagger!"
"What? Dr. Franklin why would we want swagger as our emblem?"
"Because it's powerful and will get us chicks!"
"No! The purpose of this flag is not to get chicks!"
"What? It isn't?"
Adams stood up in excitement "What if it was a turkey with hatchets for hands?!?!"
"Ooh! I like that idea!" Dr. Franklin said "We should do that!"
"NO! Jefferson yelled "It has to represent freedom! Not swagger, or survival! Freedom!"
Dr Franklin raised his hand hesitantly "What about a hamster? They represent freedom."
"A hamster with two machetes!"
"No Adams!" Jefferson was at the end of his rope "It is going to be an eagle! That is final! Washington put me in charge and I say it will be an eagle! Do you understand?"
Adams quietly whispered "How about an eagle with a bow and arrow?"
Jefferson sighed "Fine! An eagle with a bow and arrow. But that's all! Our country is off to a rocky start!"

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Very succinct story, with a nice humourous take on history.

[Goat]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[Tristan Nesvilla]

This is really funny. I love the idea of the presidents arguing like children. haha made me laugh. Great one!

[Goat]

Haha, thank you!

[Marie]

THis is funny. Good character descriptions. Though Jefferson was never one to speak up.

[Goat]

Do you mean Jefferson did not speak up in real life? Or that that seemed to be his character in my story?

[Marie]

It's my understanding the the real Thomas Jefferson did more with his writing than his speaking. Benjamin Franklin was far more vocal.

[Goat]

Oh, oops. I learned more of the history of what they did and how they decided the emblem, so I guess I accidentally got their personalities mixed up! Thank you!