Chris Allan asked T. Coraghessan Boyle:

I'm teaching a master's degree course in International Development this semester, and I have assigned the short story Top of the Food Chain in a couple of weeks. I think it's a classic version of using linear thinking to solve complex problems. And it displays the dangers of arrogance of thinking you know more about people's worlds than they do. And above all it's funny as hell. Any insights for my students?

T. Coraghessan Boyle Dear Chris: I love your approach to the story. The only thing I will add is that the details of the story, absurd as they are, happen to be true, right down to the airlift of the cats. Cheers, T.C. P.S. I examined a similar case, also true, in my novel, "When The Killing's Done," with reference to the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.

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