The Scavengers is another short story that I received in my inbox from The Library of America Story of the Week. They send a link to a free short story every week. I received a link to this story quite awhile ago and finally got around to reading it.
The unknown narrator described the drought they had in the region for over three year and how the scavengers appeared in droves, patiently waiting for their meal.
” but the scavengers make few mistakes. One stoops to the quarry and the flock follows. Cattle once down may be days in dying. They stretch out their necks along the ground, and roll up their slow eyes at longer intervals. The buzzards have all the time, and no beak is dropped or talon struck until the breath is wholly passed. It is doubtless the economy of nature to have the scavengers by to clean up the carrion, but a wolf at the throat would be a shorter agony than the long stalking and sometime perchings of these loathsome watchers.”
This didn’t seem as much as a story to me as on overview of wildlife scavengers and their usefulness in drought conditions. It seemed like more of an environmental commentary. Scavengers have been viewed by many as no good nuisances but really we need them to clean up after us and other animals. Ms. Austin made her point well.
This story would appeal to people who are curious about the creatures we call scavengers and people interested in the environment. As you can see from the short quote above, it’s not for those with a weak stomach.
Did you review this story? Please leave your link in the comments.
Short Story Monday is hosted by John at The Book Mine Set.
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