The Toll in Tanglethorn Hollow

Government’s Role—Taxes, Rules, and Services part 5 of Economics Series

By Ross Boulton © 2025

In twisty trails of Tanglethorn,

Where vines had snagged and brambles torn,

The critters groaned at every trip—

The trade carts bounced, the wheels would slip.

The Hollow’s path was cracked and rough.

The bridge was bent. The road? Too tough.

“Someone,” sighed Crabbie, “ought to fix

This trail of rocks and leafy sticks!”

Maple said, “Then let’s agree

To fund repairs—collectively.

Each cart that passes gives one seed.

That toll helps build the path we need.”

The animals paused. “That seems okay…”

But Grizzle grunted, “I won’t pay!

I’ll sneak right through on foggy nights—

No toll for me. I’ve got full rights!”

Soon more carts dodged the little bin.

The seed fund shrank. No tools came in.

The road stayed broken, cracked with rot—

Because the toll was mostly not.

Owliver frowned and took the stump.

“With shared roads come a common lump.

If none contribute to the ground,

Then bumpy wheels go round and round.”

Lantern flew and made it fair—

She tracked each cart with glowing flair.

“Two seeds per trip. Or four if late.

Funds will fix the broken gate.”

They built a booth with signs and chalk.

They paved the trail with mossy rock.

The carts rolled smooth. The grumbles stopped—

The new toll worked, and trade had popped!

But later, Rilla raised a squeak:

“What if the toll goes up each week?

What if they tax us just to tax—

And don’t give cobbles—only cracks?”

Maple nodded, “We must stay wise.

A toll should match the work it buys.

A government must serve with care—

And not take more than it can bear.”

So Owliver made one more rule:

A board with numbers, plain and cool.

The seeds that came, the cobbles laid—

All listed clear, so trust would stay.

MORAL

Government can fix what no one can fix alone—but it must be fair, transparent, and answer to those who pay. Shared roads require shared effort.

Why I Wrote This: The Toll in Tanglethorn Hollow

By Ross Boulton © 2025

This story is part of my Forest Economics Series, which uses woodland fables to teach young readers how economic systems work—and how communities stay fair and functional. In The Toll in Tanglethorn Hollow, I wanted to explore the role of government, especially why shared services like roads, bridges, and repairs require shared contributions.

When the animals in the Hollow face a crumbling trail, they realize no single critter can fix it alone. But by pooling a small “toll” from everyone who uses the road, they can fund the repairs. This is how real-world taxes are supposed to work: everyone contributes a little to benefit the whole.

But I also wanted to show the other side—what happens when some dodge the toll, or when government forgets who it serves. Grizzle avoids paying. Rilla worries about unfair rates. Maple and Owliver remind us that government must stay honest, transparent, and proportional.

I wrote this fable to help children (and adults) understand that good government is like a well-kept road: visible, shared, and made smoother when everyone plays their part.