Culture

The Whole Internet Loves Fat Rat, A Fat Rat That Got Stuck In A Sewer

Aren't we all just fat rats, trapped in sewer grates of our own making?

by Joseph Earp  27 February 2019
A rat trapped in a sewer grate

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Sure, capitalism is on track to starve itself, global warming might well completely deplete the Earth’s cloud cover, and two major nuclear powers just directly attacked each other, but also, on the upside, a fat rat got caught in a sewer grate.

Of course, it’s true that an overweight rodent struggling to get out of an Aesopian metal trap of hubris might seem to pale in comparison to the other bits of considerably more dystopian news breaking at the moment.

But, in a horrible world getting worse, sometimes it’s nice to take a little time out of your day, and see aspects of your own personality reflected in a grain-fattened rat who dared to dream of freedom and fell painfully short.

The German rat was discovered wedged in the grate in the early hours of the morning, and, in a beautiful demonstration of the sanctity of all life, rather than just leave it there, a team of firefighters and animal control operatives freed the poor creature.

Afterwards, the fat rat was returned to the sewer where, if Disney-owned cartoons have taught me anything, it either went off to pursue its dreams of becoming a world-famous chef or got its evil plans thwarted by a great mouse detective.

In the fall-out of the news, the internet has responded to the tale of fat rat the only way that it knows how — by turning the furry go-getter into a meme.

Also, not to go all PETA on you, but this is a good reminder for Winter that rats are cute, smart, and loveable, and that you can drive them from your property harmlessly by leaving cinnamon and mint around the place, rather than horrible traps.

After all, what are we all but rats ourselves, trapped in sewer-like horrors of our own making?