Seeking Solace From Sycophants

By bjaybrooks on
Frost-covered meadow with a winding fenced path and leafless woodland
A winding fenced path crosses a frost-covered meadow toward a quiet winter woodland.

Fall was in the air today. Thirty degrees cooler than yesterday. A gentle reminder that furnace time is on the way. The deer watched the Old Man as he watched the deer. The deer know change is afoot. Leaves are holding on for dear life. Christmas bells are ringing softly in the distance. A cool down means a calm down. Summer was hot…September was hot.

Political cartoon labeled “WASHINGTON D.C.” showing a Trump-like man saying “They’ll all come around… they always do! Just keep following the plan, Speaker!” to a barefoot person in sackcloth replying “Yes, sir… whatever it takes… for the favor…”; “SACKCLOTH” appears below.
A satirical Washington scene portrays political influence through a stark comic-book metaphor.

Seeking solace from sycophants is a delicate proposition. Mr. sycophant by nature is concerned about kissing up. His eyes are fixed on the ladder of success and the posterior in his face. Many of these sycophantic folks are in positions of power. We look to them for help. Their business plan is to help those from whom they can gain. The strange look of good institutions morphed into a grotesque shadow of their former self is a bit Halloween.

Halloween Pageant; three costumed figures hold labeled gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Three costumed pageant contestants present gold, frankincense, and myrrh while joking about the buffet.

‘There is the rarified air of the rich and powerful, then the real air we all breathe,’ Chet said. ‘We understand we are in the struggle together,’ Chet grinned. ‘The elitist attitude of rich and powerful wannabes is in some churches as well,’ Chet noted. ‘Some preachers say that if you are gaining money you are in favor with God and if you are poor you are not doing it right,’ Chet continued. ‘These groups gain many sycophants as favor with the minster is considered favor with God,’ Chet laughed.

Comic panel reading “HE LEADS, WE FOLLOW. HE IS THE VOICE, WE ARE THE FLOCK. PRAISE BE!”, “OUR SHEPHERD, OUR GUIDE”, “GASP”, and “OH, REVEREND...”
A dramatic comic-book sermon depicts followers worshipfully elevating their charismatic reverend above themselves.

The Woods is not governed by such silliness. ‘We are members of a settled society,’ Mr. Badger said. ‘When the fall comes we gather for winter,’ Mr. Badger noted. ‘Equal members of the great experiment,’ Mr. Badger laughed. ‘Leaders are Servant/Leaders their job is to help those they lead,’ Mr. Badger smiled. ‘There is an order to all things…autumn is here and a great time for messing around on boats,’ Badger laughed.

Comic panel titled “The River Adventurers,” showing animal companions and a guide boating downstream with speech bubbles.
A lively crew of animal adventurers journeys downstream aboard The River Queen.

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