The Boy and the Ideal

Joseph Seamon Cotter Sr. (Feb 2, 1861 – Mar 14, 1949) was an American poet, writer, playwright, and community leader from Kentucky. Born in the beginning of Civil War, he was brought up it poverty had no education until he was 22 years old. But eventually he became an educator and promoter of education among black people. He was among first nonwhite playwright ever published and was often regarded as "Kentucky's first Negro poet with real creative ability.” 

The Boy and he Ideal is a fairy tale by Joseph Cotter. It follows an occasional meeting of three animals, a Mule, a Snake and a Hog and one Boy. Each was walking his own way, but their roads have crossed eventually. These unlikely partners in conversation were having a talk on life. What do they thrive towards? Why do they do this? What they have in common and what sets them apart? Fundamental questions are asked and answered in this short piece.