Awkward Taste

During the first few years of your life, the period when you learn how the world works, what would happen if you were stranded on an island where the society isn’t acting the way people do where you come from? If they never met technology the way we did and find alternative ways to live, their normal would be very different from ours.

Summary

Craig was stranded on a cannibalistic island as a baby. Their boat sank and the tides separated him from his family. On the island, he didn’t become a quick snack but was raised as a member of their group. He learned to become a cannibal.

The army flew over the island and thought he was in trouble, so they bombed the island to save him. Unfortunately, Craig got caught in the crossfire, but he survived and was taken back to his family. Craig still has cannibalistic tendencies but in a more sophisticated way. He suppresses his urges, nipping from his sister’s cat. They take him to see a psychologist and they find that a diet from human flesh, historically isn’t that uncommon and it would solve many modern problems, like full jails and retirement problems.

Hystory of Cannibilism

Historically, cannibalism was quite common, even in what we call, educated societies. Some believed that the consumption of the same species would cure certain illnesses. In the animal kingdom, we frown upon it when we see it, but think it quite natural in the back of our minds. It’s a way of survival, as the experience of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in 1972 when humans ate one another.

What if?

What if cannibalism is the answer to our overpopulating habits on earth? Who decides who will be eaten? The list will probably have the least productive members of society at the top, like death row criminals. Then maybe the pensioners who approach the end of their lifespan, don’t know whether it affects their taste, but I explored the notion in “The Lucid Flipside” where the elderly are fed natural meat tenderizing herbs along with their food. Maybe some garlic for added taste, but I wouldn’t know whether it will go through their digestive system or would affect the taste of their muscles.

I explored the idea from my stepdad always complaining about the taste of the mutton that came from the Karoo in South Africa. He believes that the area’s natural food source for sheep can be tasted in the meat, so I assume the same might be the case in humans. Imagine if we could precipice a person by stuffing his diet with flavouring elements. It might be silly, but only because we can’t get past the idea of killing someone for food. If that wasn’t a problem, we would most probably think about it differently.

Reason for the story

I wrote the story because we believe that we’re civilized based on the practices of our society. Civilization evolves and happens at different tempos in different parts of the world. We don’t know what to expect as normal from people living 500 years in the future, seven to eight generations later. Exploring these type ideas are fun and not unrealistic. What do you think?

If you like to read the story, you are welcome to buy the book from our store page. It is available in eBook format at Smashwords, Amazon Kindle, as well as in a Print on demand paperback format at Amazon Paperback. In South Africa, I recommend buying from Takealot.