This is an extended fable. The central theme, of how to live decently and honourably in a cruel and irrational world, is explored through related themes such as sainthood, love, and the anticipation of death. Ironic and fantastic, the imagery ranges from talking flowers to instructive angels, from literary monsters to religious icons. The fables are formed by song, dialogue, narrative, dramatic monologue and lyric, as well as everyday forms such as postcards, prayers and diary entries. The resulting sequence is at once elegant, fearful and funny. It is, in fact, a thoroughly modern fable.