Abstract

During a recent Mr. Rabbit and Ms. Grasshopper meeting, Mr. Rabbit observed that Ms. Grasshopper was about to quench her thirst or cool off or whatever at a dripping outdoor water faucet. Mr. Rabbit shouted to his friend Ms. Grasshopper: “Don’t drink that!” Ms. Grasshopper, startled, her left tarsus scratching the spiracles of her abdomen, shot a glance at her friend Mr. Rabbit. “My dearest friend,” he said, “I do not want you poisoned by the lead and other contaminants in that water. I know you and I have enjoyed water from that faucet before, but that was before a city administrator decided to change where the water came from. Now it comes from a local river instead of one of the Great Lakes.” Mr. Rabbit had Ms. Grasshopper’s full attention. “Unfortunately …,” Mr. Rabbit paused a moment to thump one of his feet. He then continued, “You, see my dear, beloved friend, that human in charge did not test the river water before allowing it to flow in the pipes and taps. Corrosive water has leached lead from the old city pipes and contaminated the humans and our animal friends who drank the water and ingested dangerously high levels of harmful lead.”