Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© irene waters 2015

Acculturation happens in subtle ways. As a westerner with facilities most of us take for granted we can afford the luxury of being horrified at the eating of certain animals. I used to wonder how the French could eat horse meat. How anyone could eat dogs. Having lived in a country where the children are blonde because they have protein deficiencies and dogs breed uncontrolled, as there is no such person as a vet on the island to carry out spaying of the animals, bit by bit attitudes change. Fed with scraps, the dogs also starve  from a diet lacking in protein. These skinny, constantly hungry dogs range in large packs that can be terrifying. Their numbers are kept down with the consumption of one here and there with the  benefit of adding protein to the children’s poor diet.

The blonde headed children laughed as the pig’s head was stoved in by the man’s club. The dogs licked at the blood oozing from the beasts nostrils as, unconscious, it took its last breath.

“I can’t take this anymore” I said as I saw a bullock being brought in to suffer the same fate. I left the celebrating crowd to find a place where I no longer had to watch the slaughtering. I covered my ears. 

A snarling dog approached and stared, uncertain whether to attack without its pack mates. I screamed. “For heavens sake, eat this dog next.”

Written in response to Charli’s 99 word flash fiction prompt:

March 25, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) include a juxtaposition between the ordinary and natural worlds. It can be civilization and nature; an edifice and a nest or cave; a human act and a natural occurrence; acculturation and adaptation. Compare or contrast as the prompt leads you to write.

Respond by March 31, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation.Rules are here. All writers are welcome!