Future Fables

Ellen van Neerven, an Australian writer of Aboriginal Mununjali Yugambeh and Dutch heritage, discusses their fable about the relationship between humans and the natural world. The story follows two sibling eagles as they navigate their ancestral place and contemplate leaving amidst impending dangers. It explores the complex relationship between two sisters and their responsibilities towards a child, leading to a transformative realization and a call to restore harmony with nature.

George Walker, senior scribe at Aesop, shares a playful tale about a scurry of squirrels facing suspicion and unease as the arrival of a new resident brings curiosity and divide. Tensions rise, rumors circulate, and a grey squirrel loses his stores and memory. However, the power of kindness prevails as the scurry comes together to share their stashes and create a feast.

Stephen Graham Jones, author of nearly 30 novels, explores the darkly comic tale of three nails in an unfinished housing development. The nails contemplate their purpose, express fear of the hammer, and struggle to avoid being hammered down. Throughout, they learn the importance of accepting life's frightening inevitabilities.

A writer, researcher and editor, currently working toward her PhD at the University of Oslo, Regina Kanyu Wang artfully weaves together gender politics, environmental issues, and an otherworldly perspective. Following her deep interest in science fiction, this playful yet poignant tale invites us to reflect on the importance we place on the opinions of others.

Caleb Azumah Nelson, award-winning novelist, discusses his fable about two canine companions who learn the value of cherishing moments together. The podcast explores themes of love, fear, and the beauty of the present moment.

Mieko Kawakami’s Future Fable invites us to reconsider common fears, while underlining the preciousness of friendship.Mieko Kawakami was recently shortlisted for the International Booker Prize for her novel Heaven (2009), translated by David Boyd, who also translated this fable. Her latest novel is All the Lovers in the Night.The theme music for the series was composed by Dean Blunt; episodes were mixed, designed and mastered by Hannah Webster at Unit; and each tale is read by Gabriel Santos from Aesop.

In Solomon’s Future Fable, we join a pack of wolves to discover the importance of community.Rivers Solomon is an award-winning author, self-proclaimed gender malcontent and keen bird watcher, whose novel An Unkindness of Ghosts featured in the Aesop Queer Library last year. Their most recent novel Sorrowland was released in 2021.

Lydia Millet’s Future Fable explores the nature of change through the tale of a slightly stubborn insect.Lydia Millet is a prolific author of over 13 books, whose collection of short stories Love in Infant Monkeys (2010) was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Her most recent novel, Dinosaurs, was published 11 Oct 2022.Artwork by Chioma Ebinama

Emezi's Future Fable highlights the importance of accepting help from others.Akwaeke Emezi has won a plethora of prestigious awards, and have been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine as a 2021 Next Generation Leader. Their most recent novel, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty, was released in 2022.Artwork by Chioma Ebinama

In a playful tale of friendship, envy and empathy, Abraham’s Future Fable features a pair of ambitious rodents.Amelia Abraham is a journalist and the author of two books—Queer Intentions (2020) and We Can Do Better Than This (2021), an anthology which brings together 35 voices on the future of LGBTQIA+ rights.Artwork by Chioma Ebinama