The Emperor's New Accomplishments by Frank J. Fleming

“Long ago in a faraway land lived an emperor named Obama. He was the greatest emperor the people had ever known; everyone knew he was the smartest and the most capable emperor that had ever existed. The only problem was that he had no accomplishments to show for his greatness…”

Recently it came to our attention that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been dabbling in literature. In a clear sign that its 100,000 employees have far too little to do, the sprawling federal agency has issued a nauseating children’s book called “The Two Bite Club,” in which a mother cat and her adorable kittens Will and Anna learn to make federally-approved healthy food choices. According to the USDA website: “Parents or caregivers read the book to children and encourage them to try foods from each food group by eating just two bites, just like the characters in the story.”

The PDF is available here: try not to gag on your broccoli.

Naturally we viewed this as a sinister intrusion of federal power into the sphere of family life and a gross infringement on our freedom to eat Pop Tarts for breakfast and snack on salt and vinegar-flavored potato chips while catching up on Game of Thrones. American patriots bled and died to ensure these sacred freedoms. So we resisted in the only way available to us: we asked our community of writers to sharpen their pens and write their own brief satirical stories. Take that, USDA!

The hilarious results are being published over the course of a week, starting with a trio of takeoffs on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Monday, and 3 Nanny State-Approved Bedtime Stories For Your Little Community Organizers yesterday. Enjoy! And be sure to check back tomorrow for the next batch of stories.

1. Welcome to the Club by Colin Blake

Anna and Will ran inside holding a doll and a ball respectively, not realizing what a fury that was going to cause among the literati.

2. The Emperor’s New Accomplishments by Frank J. Fleming

Long ago in a faraway land lived an emperor named Obama. He was the greatest emperor the people had ever known; everyone knew he was the smartest and the most capable emperor that had ever existed. The only problem was that he had no accomplishments to show for his greatness.

3. Johnny and Margie Meet Auntie Sam by John L. Scot

“I don’t like Aunt Samantha,” said Margie. “She’s too bossy. Why do we have to pay her tribute?”