From Aesop’s fables to the present day, writers have used animals to portray the failings of human society.
Animal Farm by George Orwell in 1945 used the metaphor of animals living together in a farmyard to illustrate a political point. HIs thesis is that power inevitably corrupts.
This inescapable temptation leads to the betrayal of democratic ideals and the re-establishment of totalitarian rule. An outcome enabled by a naive and accepting working class.
Orwell’s story is an allegory of the 1917 Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Putting his dialogue in the mouths of animals was an inventive way to show how authoritarians manipulate language to justify their ends.
Ten years ago a credit union observer/CEO used this political satire to describe deeply troubling trends in the coperatie system.
The blog’s title: Down on the Farm.(Be sure to click read more for the writer’s ending challenge, Who Let the Pigs In?)
An Updated Animal Story–On Film
In these prior stories the pigs are the bad guys. The credit union commentator and Orwell hoped their literary skills would motivate readers to address threats both foresaw to democratic societies.
But human nature doesn’t always respond to danger until it arrives on their doorsteps.
Today’s retelling is not on the farm, but in the jungle. Here the wild animals have no fences or guardrails. They can only be viewed at a safe distance by safari tours. It is nature in its most natural state.
In this film metaphor, those who feast on other living kindred are the lions. Their prey are large herds of water buffaloes living on grass plains, at peace with their kin. They do not kill to live. The game wardens and tourists who witnessed these scenes are observers or, in this parable, clear stand ins for regulators and the public.
The Attack
Part one is just over four minutes. The stealth approach, the pack attacks and captures a small defenseless youngster. The helpless calf is thrown into a river, where two crocodiles decide the prey should be theirs, not this land bound pride’s.
The action is quick. The situation dire. The calf’s fate seems sealed. All the onlookers agree this is a hopeless situation. Another successful kill. Moral outrage, anger and even sympathy provide no recourse. This is the law of the jungle in full view.
(https://youtu.be/WXJmvlIckfI)
The Outcome
The calve’s life is over. The lions lay down to savor their feast. No help can come now. It is far too late and certainly life-dangerous to interfere. The end has come. . . or has it?
Here is part two. Also just four minues.
(https://youtu.be/u1Rt17QglXY)
The adults in the herd, those who cared about their offspring and know the ways of the jungle acted-on the spot
After initially running away, they regrouped, collectively, and attacked. They first circle and then go after the herd’s predators one at a time. Angry bulls leading the charge. They then cleared the killing field of any stragglers.
The onlookers are amazed. Even the safari wardens say they have only seen this on film. While unusual the response is not unknown. It’s instinctive when one’s entire future is at stake.
The Moral or Just an Animal Act?
The response of the water buffalo herd, is what Orwell and Jim Blaine hoped to arouse with their Animal Farm prose imagery.
In this film allegory, these animals understand how to deal with their stronger predatory jungle inhabitants. If they can work to protect each other, it would seem credit union leaders should be able to turn back their avaricious members feasting on their coop peers via mergers.
In most credit unions, mergers are a matter of life and death of the organization. If you don’t think so, just ask any of the 41 credit union leaders merged in the third quarter of 2025. Oh, you can’t because they are now under someone else’s control.
It’s time for the cooperative herd to act. If not, only the pigs and lions will be the future of the movement.