Kaali and the Piranha Tree

by Steven Haas

Kaali and the Piranha Tree is a dark and whimsical modern-day fairy tale. Amazonian Indian Kaali arrives at his favorite fishing hole, only to encounter a strange tree—bearing live Piranhas. Kaali observes the tree's aggressive nature and warns all the creatures in the rainforest to beware of the malevolent tree. As a result of Kaali's warning the Tree finds itself starving to death. Kaali's nature and fate is tested when the tree asks for his help. This is a simple story that echoes the current state of the rain forest, the nature of modern and ancient man, the effects of neo-colonialism, Darwinism, and the indifference of nature.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2018

Reviews

[Digna A Roque · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge wake up call!

Short and sweet, this story is warning us about the destruction our planet is undergoing; it reminds us that if we don’t work together, we will destroy our home.

[Michelle Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just 31 pages, Steven Haas brings the reader into a world of both wonder & horror. This is a quick read that will stay with you for days. Reminiscent of the "Trolley Problem" (Philippa Foot) with questions of ethics that penetrate your soul and make it impossible to put the book down until you have reached the end. Entertaining, thought-provoking, and impressive storytelling with brilliant use of the English language.

[Steve Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerebral parable set in the Amazon Jungle. Kaali discovers a unique tree sitting on the bank of the Amazon River bearing not fruit—but live, blood-thirsty piranhas. The story is simple on the surface and reads like a modern Grimm Fairytale. Yet there are layers that beneath the surface that serve as a commentary on Darwinism, modern man vs ancient man, and nature's indifference.