Gracious Intolerance

Clucky has found a new way to explore the perimeter and stumbles upon some new friends, well maybe friends, they are still deciding… Listen in and see if you would be these newcomers friends.   

Vocabulary in this episode: 

• Rodeo
• Lasso
• Accessible
• Maintain
• Distress
• Undignified Manner
• Inadvertently
• Advertising
• Spokesperson
• Aristocratic
• Ancestors
• Distinguished 
• Resurrected
• Enchanted
• Diction
• Forebearers
• Knighted
• Presume
• Realm
• Descend
• Intentionally
• Acute 
• Blunt
• Enormous
• Intricate
• Attaining 
• Albeit
• Acquaintances
• Contemporaries
• Shenanigans
• Domesticated
• Internal Injuries 
• Excavate
• Cavity
• Conceal
• Committed 
• Circumstances
• Consumes
• Substantial
• Excessive
• Expedient
• Rhetorical
• Revised
• Time is of the essence
• Issuing ultimatums
• Succulent
• Potential
• Consumption
• Sustain
• Formalities
• Inappropriate
• Unconventional
• Affectionately
• Established
• Intolerance
• Internal conflicts
• Mesopredator
• Apex Predator
• Herbivores
• Evolutionary Development
• Hives (2 definitions) 
• Statistically Improbable
• Indigenous
• Intolerable
• Neanderthal
• Conjecture
• Meander
• Inspected 
• Intact
• Functioning
• Empathy 
• Tribulations
• Tributaries
• Ostracized 
• Ostrich
• Instinctual
• Plight
• Tempted
• Complimentary 
• Checking
• Accountable 
• Coupling
• Extensive
• Vicinity
• Intriguing 

French Words/ Phrases

• Salut mes amis! - Hi My Friends
• Certainement  - Certainly
• Viens ici - come here
• Felicitations - Congratulations
• Les animaux - the animals

Themes

• Understanding 
• Compassion 
• Friendship
• Acceptance
• Kindness

Questions for your Listener: 

• How many names does Your Grace have?
• Who does Felicity try to eat?  
• Why can’t Felicity eat meat? 
• What does Felicity eat instead of meat? 
• Who is he

Transcript

EPISODE 8: GRACIOUS INTOLERANCE

XANDER: 

Hold still Link. I’m trying to secure Clucky on your back for our perimeter check.

CLUCKY: 

Whoo hoo this feels like I’m in a rodeo. I just need a lasso!

LINK: 

We’re going to have so much fun boss!

XANDER: 

Ok. I think I’ve got you on but try to grip his collar with your toes for extra security.

 CLUCKY: 

Off we go…. YeeHaw!  Chicken on a Dog.  Seeing through the fog.  Guarding all my friends. Home sweet Home Washington! 

(TRACK TUMBLEWEED • ROOTS AND RECOGNITION) 

LINK: 

So True, it’s cloudy a lot here boss.   

CLUCKY: 

Hey I see the hens up ahead with Kitten! Let’s go over there! Giddy up Link!

LINK: 

Ok boss.

CLUCKY: 

Morning Ladies! 

BRIDGET: 

You look unusually comfortable up there riding a dog Clucky.

CLUCKY: 

It’s awesome! I get a higher look out and Link can go much faster than my strong but short legs can carry me. What are y’all doin’ over to this area of the yard? We haven’t been here in a while!

BELLA: 

It appears the moles have been busy here. There are lots of new mole hills.

BRIGITTA:

 And it’s created a lovely opportunity for worms! The mole has loosened the soil so all the worms are more accessible! I must say it’s a beautiful day for feasting!

CLUCKY: 

Worms you say, well then let me down! 

KITTEN: 

Be careful Clucky as you dismount. We don’t want you to get hurt. 

XANDER: 

Clucky, are you trying to get off buddy? Here, let me help you.

CLUCKY:

 Brawk! 

(RUFFLE OF FEATHERS) 

Thanks Xander. You’re right ladies! The disturbance in the soil by the moles have really brought up the worms! Yum!!

KITTEN: 

They do tend to be more active in late winter and early spring. This is a good sign that winter is coming to an end.

BELLA: 

I don’t remember ever seeing this many mole hills before though. And the funny thing is, I never see the hole that they climb back into. It’s just a small pile of dirt.

KITTEN:

 Mole hills are created because of the tunnels they dig under the earth. This is all the soil that they push out to maintain their tunnels. There must be quite an underground system here based on the number of mole hills. 

BRIGITTA: 

I think I see a small mole right now popping his head out!

CLUCKY: 

Where?

BRIGITTA: 

Over there, brawk, by that tree! 

FEATHERS RUFFLING

LINK: 

I see it boss! I’m heading over. Oh, I missed it.

BRIDGET: 

It’s over there now! 

LINK: 

Coming!

 <THUMPING SOUNDS?>

BRIGITTA: 

Brawk, be careful Link! My tail feathers!

LINK: 

Sorry boss, I missed it again. 

CLUCKY: 

I see it now, it’s over there, by the other small tree!

LINK: 

On my way boss! 

<RUFFLING OF FEATHERS AND HENS SQUAWKING>

BELLA: 

Ouch, I need to get out of the way. Brawk!

LINK: 

Oh no, I missed it again. They’re fast! I can smell it though <sniffing sounds>

KITTEN: 

Link….

CLUCKY:

 It’s popped up there now!

LINK: 

Thanks Boss! Ouch! I keep whacking my nose on these mole hills and they keep disappearing as soon as I get to them!

BRIGITTA: 

It’s over there now!

LINK: 

I’ll get it this time! Ow!

KITTEN: 

Ouch! Meow! Link, you stepped on my tail this time. 

LINK: 

Sorry boss. This is fun trying to catch the mole! 

BRIDGET: 

Perhaps instead of whacking your nose you should be whacking the moles? All you’re doing is pouncing on all of us!

LINK: 

Sorry boss. Oh I think I see it this time!

CLUCKY: 

Argh!! 

FEATHER RUFFLING COMMOTION AND MORE CLUCKING AND MEOWING

KITTEN: 

We need to stop pointing out the mole!

XANDER: 

Hey Link, I think I better take you back up to the house. You’re getting a bit too excited down here and Mom is going to make me give you a bath if you get too much more dirt on your paws. 

LINK: 

Ok Boss, 

(BARK) 

Bye everyone

(FOOTSTEPS AWAY UP THE HILL) 

BRIGITTA: 

Oh Thank goodness Xander noticed our distress! Link is a giant dog! Did you feel the earth shake as he jumped at each mole hill?

GRACE: 

I absolutely did.

CLUCKY: 

Brawk!! A mole!

GRACE: 

It is not necessary to carry on in such an undignified manner.

KITTEN: 

Our apologies.  Hello. My name is Kitten. May we ask what your name is?

GRACE: 

You may. My name is George Reginald Alistair Charles Edmund the 13th, but you may call me your Grace.

BELLA: 

Grace?

GRACE: 

Yes, my initials inadvertently spell out Grace so it’s just easier than utilizing all the names. 

CLUCKY: 

In advertising? Are you a spokesperson or in ads?

GRACE: 

No. Inadvertently means without intention or by accident. 

KITTEN: 

Isn’t Your Grace a title used in nobility? 

GRACE: 

I am delighted by your exemplary knowledge. Indeed, I come from a long aristocratic line of moles. My ancestors arrived on ships from the United Kingdom a century ago. While, we no longer use such titles, my family happened to name me after some very distinguished relations and therefore, I resurrected the use of the title Your Grace since they also happen to be my initials. It is not necessary to bow or curtsy however. 

BRIGITTA: 

A fellow brit?  How marvelous! My name is Brigitta. 

GRACE: 

Enchanted. While I am historically from British ancestry, we have long lived in the United States and now consider ourselves American. We do try to uphold the proper manners, education and diction of our forebearers the Townsends. 

BRIDGET: 

Oh, does that mean you are a Townsend mole, the largest mole species found in North America?

GRACE: 

Indeed. And you would be?

BRIDGET: 

My name is Bridget. Nice to meet you. 

BELLA: 

My name is Bella. You’re the first mole I’ve met!

CLUCKY: 

My name is Sir Cluckington of Washington. People just call me Clucky though. If we’re using titles, you could just call me Sir.

GRACE: 

I see. So you have been knighted then? Of which realm do you descend from?

CLUCKY: 

I’m not sure what you’re asking. Xander is the person who named me. 

GRACE: 

Xander…. Hrmm…. Does not sound familiar. However, must be 
 Greek in origin as it likely stems from Alexander. Are you Greek?

CLUCKY: 

No I’m rooster.

KITTEN: 

<LAUGHS> 

You’ll have to excuse Clucky. He has not been officially knighted. It is the name that our family gave to him when they first got him. 

GRACE: 

Indeed. I presume that with the departure of the large canine that was here, that I can expect my ceiling down below will stop shaking?

BRIDGET: 

That was Link. He’s big and clumsy but doesn’t intentionally mean to harm anyone, it just happens when he’s around.

FERAL: 

Salut mes amis! What do we have here? It looks like a black ball of fur. It is such nice shiny fur. 

BRIDGET: 

This is Grace, he’s a mole Feral. 

FERAL: 

A mole? Like on ze face? Can you see me little one? I do not see your eyes or ears? Can you hear me? Is this just a ball of fur. Mon Dieu! Are those your hands? They are enormous for such little creature.

GRACE: 

While moles are not known for their vision, we do have acute hear. I can hear you perfectly well. As for my hands, they are necessary implements for digging. I can dig up to 18 feet per hour. 

FERAL: 

I have never seen a mole. What is a mole?

BRIDGET: 

You’re looking at it. 

FERAL: 

Ah, Bridget, so clever yet blunt. 

KITTEN: 

Moles are burrowing mammals found in various continents. They have incredibly powerful claws that allow them to create intricate systems of tunnels underground both for feeding and habitat. 

GRACE: 

My family also excels at psychology, engineering and molecular science.

CLUCKY: 

Did you say molecular science?

GRACE: 

Yes, my sister is quite knowledgeable in that regard.

CLUCKY: 

Could she be considered a doctor of molecular science?

GRACE: 

Well, while not actually attaining a formal degree, I suppose so?

CLUCKY:

 Ha!! Told you Kitten a Mole Curer! A Doctor Mole! Remember?

KITTEN: 

Clucky, that’s not the same at all, albeit impressive that she has that kind of knowledge.

FERAL: 

I do not understand what you are all talking about. Are we friends with this mole now?

GRACE: 

I would not classify ourselves as friends. We have only just made our acquaintances. Perhaps in time we could become contemporaries, but we are certainly not there yet. My name is George Reginald Alistair Charles Edmund the 13th but as I have mentioned to your friends, you may call me your Grace.

FERAL: 

It is quite a long name, non? My own personal Grace, ah non, you have said we may all call you that. Therefore you are our grace. I have never had any grace before but you could certainement be my first one, shared or not. My name is Feral 

<INSERT GUITAR SFX>. 

I live a few houses away but I like to visit my cher amis and of course mon amour Kitten.

GRACE: 

I see.

KITTEN: 

Feral likes to visit us from time to time. 

 <BUSH RUSTLING SFX>

BELLA: 

Do you all see that bush trembling?

BRIGITTA: 

Why do the bushes always seem to be shaking around here.

CLUCKY: 

Beware of the shaking bushes…. Danger could be lurking. 

FELICITY: 

You’re absolutely right!

 <INSERT EVIL LAUGH>

COMMOTION OF CHICKEN SQUAWKING, MEOWS, CRIES OF “A FOX!!” FROM EVERYONE EXCEPT THE MOLE.

FELICITY: 

Gotcha! 

BRIGITTA: 

Oh no! She’s got me! Oh…. these teeth are crushing me! Farewell my friends, please remember me. I shall miss you all. I can see the light….

CLUCKY: 

Stay away from the light Brigitta!

GRACE: 

Felicity Foxington. Halt these shenanigans. We’ve talked about this in great length.

FELICITY: 

“speaks with a muffled voice and is undistinguishable what she’s saying.”

GRACE: 

Manners Felicity. Drop the domesticated fowl. Do not speak with your mouth full. I can see we have a lot more work to do.

<SPITTING SOUND>

BRIGITTA: 

Ohhhhh….. I’m dying…..I’ll just lay here and pass on…..

BRIDGET: 

Brigitta, I don’t think she even drew any blood. You’re a bit wet here, but that’s it.

BRIGITTA: 

What are you talking about? I was just in that beast’s mouth! I may have internal injuries that you can’t see!

FELICITY: 

I could put you out of your misery and stop this wailing.

GRACE: 

Felicity, what would be the point of that? What would we do with a murdered chicken? You certainly don’t expect me to excavate a cavity in the soil to conceal this crime you would have committed do you?

CLUCKY: 

Wouldn’t she just eat her?

IN A COMMOTION OF OVERLAID VOICES:

BRIGITTA: 

Clucky how could you!? 

KITTEN: 

Clucky!

BELLA: 

Clucky don’t give her ideas!

BRIDGET: 

Seriously Clucky?

FERAL: 

That would be unacceptable!

CLUCKY: 

I’m not saying she should eat her, just that that’s what foxes do isn’t it? Eat chickens? 

GRACE: 

Under normal circumstances, you are correct. However, I am well acquainted with Felicity and she no longer consumes animals. 

FELICITY: 

But, I want tooooooooo….. 

GRACE: 

Wanting to and needing to are two vastly different things Felicity.

KITTEN: 

Excuse me your Grace, but foxes normally hunt small animals and birds don’t they? 

GRACE: 

Yes, but please let me ensure that Felicity does not consume your friend. Felicity. What does the fox say?

FELICITY: 

Saaaaawwww……no I can’t do it! 

GRACE: 

Felicity, please. While my hands may look substantial, I do not have excessive time on them to deal with your nonsense. Do you think eating my body weight in food daily is an expedient task? 

CLUCKY: 

You eat your body weight in food EVERY DAY???? 

GRACE: 

That was rhetorical but yes, I do. 

CLUCKY: 

Wow. I wonder what would happen if I ate my body weight in food every day? 

BRIDGET: 

I don’t think your skinny little chicken legs would hold you up Clucky. There’s a reason why chickens don’t do that.

GRACE: 

Shall we return to the task at hand…. Felicity, what does the fox say?

FELICITY: 

Saaaaaw…..tooth.

GRACE: 

I implore you to make a revised version.

FELICITY: 

Saw…horse

GRACE: 

Time is of the essence here Felicity.

FELICITY: 

Saaaw dust….

GRACE: 

Do I need to start issuing ultimatums?

FELICITY: 

No…. but they just look so tasty. I haven’t had chicken in so long…..Look at their plump, succulent bodies.

BRIGITTA: 

Who are you calling plump? I prefer full feathered

GRACE: 

These are potential contemporaries and not for consumption.

FELICITY: 

Fine….. I’m saaaaawwwww….. reee. (sorry) Urgh…. I’m just sooo hungry. 

GRACE: 

Insects will sustain you. With formalities out of the way, let me introduce you to Kitten, Clucky, Bella, Bridget, Feral, the black cat there, and you met Brigitta in a rather inappropriate and unconventional way by positioning her in your mouth. Everyone, this is Felicity Foxington, also affectionately known as Flick. Perhaps once she has established a more trustworthy presence you may start addressing her in that manner. 

KITTEN: 

Felicity, may I ask why you’ve stopped eating animals if that’s what you want, although I’m really grateful that you don’t right now otherwise, you would have eaten a dear friend of mine and we would not be here chatting.

FELICITY: 

Well, earlier this year I seemed to have developed an intolerance or allergy to meat. Arghhh…. Stop it, stop it…. 

BELLA: 

Um, Felicity are you alright?

FELICITY: 

Sorry, having some internal conflicts. 

GRACE: 

I met Felicity when she was attempting to consume another acquaintance. That’s when I learned of her allergy. Quite unusual. I’ve been working with her to overcome her natural instincts to be a mesopredator. 

CLUCKY: 

I’ve never heard of being a mess of a predator! Is it because she’s fighting these instincts and she’s all messy inside?

GRACE: 

No, mesopredator is a mid level predator. Perhaps you’ve heard the term apex predator? Those are at the top of the food chain. As a red fox, Felicity is preyed up on by the apex predators therefore, she is considered a mesopredator. I hope that explanation is sufficient. 

CLUCKY: 

Oh yeah! That clears things up right away. So are there lower levels of predators too? 

GRACE: 

No, the next level in the food chain would be herbivores. 

FERAL: 

Felicity, did you know your name has French origins? Perhaps not a good time to be bringing up this fact as it comes from Felicitations which means congratulations. I suppose you do not want to be congratulated for no longer eating les animaux?

FELICITY: 

No, not really. I feel like eating you. 

FERAL: 

Ah ha…. So perhaps not and perhaps I will move a little further from you and behind this tree. Kitten, ma chere, viens ici. I will protect you. 

GRACE: 

Felicity has been doing quite well with restraint. We have occasional mishaps but considering that she’s fighting evolutionary development and instincts it is quite remarkable. Here Felicity, have a few worms. 

FELICITY: 

Urgh, worms again. Blech. <munching sounds> 

CLUCKY: 

Worms are one of my favorites!  So squishy like moving noodles! 

GRACE: 

They should help to suppress your appetite.

KITTEN: 

What happens when you do eat…. animals? 

BRIDGET: 

Are you encouraging her Kitten?

FELICITY: 

Sadly I feel incredibly ill. My stomach churns, I start swelling and then vomiting and I can get hives all over.

CLUCKY: 

So you attract bees?

FELICITY: 

Why would I attract bees?

CLUCKY: 

You said you get hives all over. Isn’t that where bees live?

KITTEN: 

Not the same kind of hives Clucky. I think I got a few hives when my allergies got really bad in the spring. They are red or skin colored bumps that develop on your skin. They can be very itchy.

FELICITY: 

Perhaps just a small taste…. No, must fight the urges…..

GRACE: 

Remember yourself Felicity. It is extremely disagreeable to your health if you consume animal proteins.

FERAL: 

Is this allergy contagious? Do Kitten and I need to be worried about being close other than the danger of you wanting to eat us? 

KITTEN: 

Feral, allergies are not contagious. Felicity do you know how you became allergic to animals?

FELICITY: 

No. I wasn’t born like this. I used to eat rabbits mmm… rabbits. And moles, sorry your Grace. Field mice, yumm….. small birds, they could be more challenging to catch. Ooh and squirrels, feisty but tasty and then chipmunks oooooh chipmunks for dessert were lovely…..Sorry…. Concentrate Felicity…. Get yourself together. <sigh> Your Grace said that there was a chance I was bitten by a lonestar tick. 

CLUCKY: 

What’s that? We do have plenty of ticks around. Remember our friend Nine? She’s an opossum, with an “O” not an A, E, I or U. She eats lots of ticks. 

GRACE: 

A lonestar tick is a specific tick that can create an allergy in humans to red meat. It is statistically improbable because they are not indigenous to the area nor have there been any reports of their presence. Also, it only creates an allergy to red meats such as beef, and Felicity reacts negatively to all animal proteins. Thus, it is only conjecture on my part. 

CLUCKY: 

I don’t think you should be “checking her” your Grace. Xander does that to people in hockey. It means to slam into them. She’s obviously trying not to eat you… and us… and other animals. No need to get aggressive.

GRACE: 

I would never “check” anyone. That is intolerable and neanderthal behaviour. I said conjecture which means an opinion or conclusion based on incomplete information. 

CLUCKY: 

Meander behaviour? Doesn’t meander mean to walk in a winding or aimless way? I suppose that could be accidental checking. 

BRIDGET: 

Neanderthal Clucky. Not meander. You’re right about the definition of meander but  Neanderthal in this way means crude, rude, primitive or savage. 

BRIGITTA: 

If anyone happens to be concerned, I am feeling better now. I have inspected all parts of my body, and aside from a few missing feathers, all seem to be intact and functioning as they should be. 

FERAL: 

That is a relief Brigitta. I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant to be in Felicity’s mouth.

BRIGITTA: 

Thank you Feral. I can always count on you for empathy for my tribulations. 

CLUCKY:  

Enemies in Tributaries?  Where? I’ll defend you all!  

KITTEN: 

No, Clucky, there are not enemies in tributaries, that means enemies hiding in streams that flow into rivers, she said Empathy for her tribulations.  Empathy is the ability to understand and share ones feelings and tribulations is struggles or trials. 

CLUCKY:  

Oh so she is grateful for Feral understanding her struggles.  I was really hoping we got to battle some enemies in tributaries.  

GRACE: 

I have been in comparable challenges in the past Brigitta. While unpleasant, there is no need for all this drama.

BRIDGET: 

Oh your Grace, Brigitta lives for drama.

BRIGITTA: 

I don’t know what you’re talking about Bridget. If you had been in the mouth of that fox I would certainly be much more understanding. It was very traumatizing.

BELLA: 

You’re really good at using that word Brigitta. 

BRIGITTA: 

Oh Bella, you have no idea. It’s just one trauma after another around here and it all seems to happen to me.

BRIDGET: 

Imagine if you became allergic to worms. 

BRIGITTA: 

Oh don’t even say that! That would be dreadful! 

GRACE: 

And imagine being ostracized by your friends and family.

BRIGITTA: 

Why would I become an ostrich? Although, being significantly taller and faster wouldn't be all bad. Will Felicity turn into a wolf or something because of her allergy?

KITTEN: 

No, your grace said ostracized which means to be excluded from a society or group. Why is she being ostracized?

FELICITY: 

Because all of my fox friends can eat other animals. They aren’t interested in bugs when there are tasty rodents to be eaten. And I can’t very well be friends with herbivores. I mean look at me. They all run away. I’ve been fortunate that your Grace has stuck with me and has been helping me. 

BELLA: 

Oh that sounds so sad. I didn’t think about losing friends over an allergy.

FELICITY: 

It’s just ridiculous. Who has ever heard of a fox who doesn’t eat meat! I want meat! But I can’t eat meat. Meat! Meat! Meat!!

KITTEN: 

Oh Felicity I feel terrible for you. It must be so hard to change what is instinctual for you. 

BRIGITTA: 

I suppose. It doesn’t mean I feel safe or comfortable around her. Sorry Felicity for your plight and all, but I hope you understand.

FELICITY: 

Oh Brigitta, I do….. I don’t blame you for holding it against me. Just look at you though…. What fox wouldn’t be tempted? 

BRIGITTA: 

I’m not sure if I should take that as complimentary or not…

GRACE: 

I think it’s time you consume some more grubs and worms Felicity and not repeat your offensive behavior to these domesticated fowls and felines. 

FELICITY: 

Right.. Worms… and grubs…. Yumm…. I do appreciate you all talking to me and not immediately running away. I’ve been so lonely lately. I end up talking to myself a lot. 

CLUCKY: 

Well if you promise not to eat us, you’re welcome to come back around here Felicity…. I mean Flick. 

FELICITY: 

Awww, thanks Clucky. I may take you up on that. It does help to have your Grace around to keep me in check.

CLUCKY: 

So he does check you. 

FELICITY: 

Not like in hockey. He holds me accountable and reminds me that eating meat will only make me feel terrible. 

GRACE: 

Imagine how you’d feel if you ate a friend Felicity. 

FELICITY: 

Terrible. 

FERAL: 

This is a friendly group of chickens and cats. Now have you ever heard about chickens and cats being friends before? 

FELICITY: 

No, that is an odd coupling.

KITTEN: 

So it wouldn’t be that much stranger to add a fox to the mix…and a mole. 

GRACE: 

I’m not sure if we’ve developed into contemporaries yet. However, I do have extensive tunnel work in the area, so I’ll definitely be in the vicinity. I will remain open minded about the situation. Now, I must get back to tunneling and eating. Only so many hours in a day and plenty of insects must be consumed. Best regards everyone. Felicity, we’ll talk again soon I imagine. 

FELICITY: 

Oh yes your Grace. Thank you. 

CLUCKY: 

Actually Flick, I bet our friends Loki and Satoshi might be good friends for you. They’re Siberian huskies who live nearby. 

FELICITY: 

That does sound intriguing. Do they eat meat?

CLUCKY: 

As a matter of fact Satoshi has mentioned eating us on more than one occasion. Loki prevented that though. So if she asks if you’re food don’t be alarmed. She asks that of everyone. 

FELICITY: 

She sounds like my type of friend, although I rarely ask “are you food?”. I tend to just pounce. 

CLUCKY: 

Oh then you’ll love Loki. He pounces all the time!  Not on us, but he scares us every time he comes around. 

FERAL: 

Ah yes, surprise is fun to talk to.

FELICITY: 

Surprise? Who’s that?

KITTEN: 

I think that’s a story for another day.