Life, 1907-02-21 · page 27 of 36
Life — February 21, 1907 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a story-based satirical allegory criticizing various philosophical and ideological movements of the early 1900s. The unnamed narrator encounters three types of "Caterpillars" representing distinct worldviews: a Theologian preaching moral salvation and condemning the weak as "heathens"; an Ethical Culture advocate promoting self-worth and progressive harmony; and the narrator himself, a self-described "Fool" who rejects all pretense and destroys them with kerosene—the only honest response to what he sees as hypocrisy. The story mocks both religious moralizing and progressive idealism as parasitic philosophies. When the Fool is executed by the "Head Moralist," the satire's point crystallizes: authority silences those who expose society's contradictions. The Fool's final contentment suggests that truth-telling and individual authenticity matter more than survival under corrupt systems. The cartoon (labeled "A False Alarm") appears to be separate visual satire, though its specific target is unclear from this image alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
what business have you to cat up all the good products that God grows even for a Fool like me?’ said I. “With this the Theologian Caterpillar stepped forward. He waved his feelers about him. “*For years,’ he exclaimed, ‘I have been working for a standard of morals for the Caterpillar race. Every one of these Caterpillars,’ he continued, ‘has an immortal soul to be saved, and those that are not strong and get trampled on are heathens,’ said he, ‘and they de- serve to die.” “Then, my masters, there was an Ethical Culture Caterpillar—I think that was the way she called herseli—I knew she was a female by the corkscrew feelers she carried ahead of her—and she said, ‘Fool that thou art, how little do you understand! This cherry tree was created for us,’ says she. ‘Look at us and observe how wonderfully we are made. Examine us closely, O Fool, and see that each one of us is worthy to have a soul.’ “You're parasites,’ said I, with a foolish leer. ‘I know; I’m one of ’em myself. I’m aman,’ said I. “*You're a Fool,’ she exclaimed hotly. ‘And we're nothing of the sort! I’m giving up all my time to the advancement of the Caterpillar race, and I won’t have you talk that way. Look at us. Look at our engineering feats. Look at our wonderful births. Look at our elevated system. And what happens to us when we die?’ said she. ‘Don’t we take wings? And even now, when our Caterpillar ideals are all carried out, and we're all living in harmony, why then,’ said she, ‘won’t this be worth striving for?’ “Good madam,’ said I, taking firm hold of a kerosene can, ‘believe me, you'll never see the day. I’m too fond of cherries.” And with this I burned out the whole race of em. And they deserved it. Eh, masters, what do you say? Now I will sing youa song. It begins, ‘Hi, diddle, diddle’”” But the poor Fool was allowed to say no more. At a sign from the Head Moralist, he was promptly pinioned by two keepers. ‘Then the Head Moralist turned to the assembled people. “This Fool,” he said, ‘is, as I think you will agree, a positive menace to society. Take him away and hang him to the highest tree, where he can hereafter be seen and not heard.” And the Fool, as he was led away, smiled sadly to himself. “Still gay!” exclaimed the officer. “What, pray, can please you at this moment?” “I am grateful to think,” replied the Fool, “that I have really been true to myself, For who else but a Fool, in the face of such an assem- blage, could have made such an utter Fool of himself as I?” T. L. M. 7 A YALSE ALARM Stop at Yellowstone Park en route to the Pacific Northwest. SUMMER TOURS Nothing more attractive than YELLOWSTONE PARK PUGET SOUND COLUMBIA RIVER ALASKA Bracing atmosphere; delightful summer climate; unique scenic display; fine hotels; wild animal life. Ask about Alaska Exe the Storied Northwest", (each six cents), “Land of Geysers" Send for “Wonderland 1906", “Eastward through free) and folders. “STOP OFF AT SPOKANE" $60.00 Summer Round Trip Coast Rate. From St. Pa eapelis, Daily from June 1. $50.00 Round Trip Rate June 20—July 12. Daily from St. nd Minneapolis. NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY FAST TRANSCONTINENTAL SERVICE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. For font formation write to EL General Passenger Agent, St. Paul, Minn.