Display

There are many birds that go through elaborate display rituals in order to attract a female to mate with.

However, being brightly coloured and drawing attention to yourself also attracts predators and increases your chance of being eaten.

What if something similar had to happen to humans?

I'm sure there's a short story idea in there somewhere...

Craving the hard stuff

"Here ya go, mate, I've got you yer poetry. It's a bit rough, I admit - it's been cut with doggerel, but it should see you through the night. If anyone asks, you ain't seen me, right?"

When you're self employed

"What are you working on?"

"It's called 'The Animal Philosophers'!"

"And what's it about?"

"Well, I thought I'd try and introduce philosophy to children in a friendly format, so I've created a bunch of fluffy animal characters who will talk about philosophical concepts in the style of particular philosophers. So far I have Aristotle the bunny, Socrates the tortoise, Descartes the Hare, Kierkegaard the lemming, Neitsche the headgehog and Sartre the frog."

"And you think this is marketable?"

"Can't fail. I'll be a millionaire by next year!"