Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 19, 2024 7 “Freckles and Dara -- a Fable for all Ages” is the second of a tril- ogy of illustrated fables by Father Michael Tracey, former pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis, and now retired and living in Ireland. His first fable, “A Journey with Boreen,” was published by Bumble Bee Books , London, in 2022. The book’s back cover captures the theme of the book. “We have practiced ‘social distancing’ since the beginning of time, whether it be because of a modern day virus or a virus that has perme- ated human relationships throughout history. We continue to practice social distancing through the virus of prejudice, discrimination, judgment, superiority, bullying, and fear. Our world has become a global village where, irrespective of race, religion, nationality or colour, we, as social beings, are socially distanced from each other. Modern technology has allowed us to communicate with distant strangers but makes it more difficult to communicate with the person sit- ting next to us. “Freckles and Darren -- A Fable for all Ages!” is a modern day parable about how two innocent but gifted lambs try to eradicate social distancing and reminds us that life is richer and more colourful if we see it in all its diver- sity. But are we willing to pay the price?” We live in an age of easy mobility. Some mobility is necessitated because of jobs and choice. But some necessi- tated mobility is because of persecution, injustice, discrim- ination, war, poverty, profiling, as well as ethnic cleansing. The United States is a melting pot of different national- ities, ethnic groups. Many of their forefather helped build our cities and towns, even though they often experienced discrimination and rejections. Today, people continue to come to the United States in an attempt to forge out a better life for themselves and their families. Like many past generations of immigrants, they, too, often experience discrimination and rejection. In Europe today, countries experience an influx of ref- ugees. Many are fleeing from war-torn Ukraine while oth- ers are attempting to escape tyranny and persecution. Many of our children experience bullying from an early age that, of not addressed, can become a cancer that condemns them for the rest of their lives. Recent surveys shows that over 65% of children who ex- perience bullying in school environment or playground en- vironment, do not communicate such experiences with a teacher, a parent or another significant adult. “A young 15-year-old girl took her own life because of being bullied persistently. This happened last week in my own area,” said Fr. Tracey. “Bullying is so common nowadays that much of it goes unnoticed or reported until it often leads to a tragic end.” Many adults experience, bullying, discrimination, and mental torture in their own work environments. Some try to bear it with a heavy heart or have no choice but to leave such a toxic environment. A reviewer on Amazon.com wrote about the book. “Awesome kids’ story. Great message for kids to hear. This is a great story for classrooms or libraries.” One of the interesting features of “Freckles and Dara” is that, at the end of the book, there are two sets of ten reflection questions -- one set for adults to reflect on their own possibility of being discriminated or bullied in the work place; and the other for parents to use as a vehicle for opening up discussion with their children, on such issues as bullying and discrimination. Recent surveys indicate that 65% of children who are bullied in school or playground activities do not share the hurt with a teacher, a parent or a significant adult. Instead, they choose to suffer in silence. The book is illustrated by Laura O’Donnell. The book is published by Bumble Bee Books , London. It can be ordered through Amazon or through your local bookstore. Father Michael Tracey is retired and lives in Ireland. He can be contacted by email at mtracey1@bellsouth.net. His website is www.michaeltracey.net Father Tracey pens second illustrated fable Across the Pond Father Tracey This is the cover of Freckles and Dara -- a Fable for all Ages by Father Michael Tracey, illustrated by Laura O’Donnell.