Hugo Nominees - "On A Spiritual Plain"

I'll start my reviews of this year's Hugo Award nominees with the short-story nominations, going in alphabetical order (not coincidentally, the order in which the nominees are listed on the Hugo ballot).

Title: "On a Spiritual Plain"
Author: Lou Antonelli
Published in: Sci Phi Journal #2, Nov 2014
Slates: Sad Puppies and Rabid Puppies
( cut for those who don't care )

Hugo Nominees - "The Parliament of Beasts and Birds"

Title: "The Parliament of Beasts and Birds"
Author: John C. Wright
Published in: The Book of Feasts & Seasons (Castalia House)
Slates: Rabid Puppies only
( cut for those who don't care )