Translate

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Captured Fire - Part 7

Image courtesy of suphakit73 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is the Seventh
installment of the 
short story 
Captured Fire

This story is the story of a nine-year-old boy,
Robbie, who enters a magical world where he learns about the meaning of life,
friendship, and respect for others

***
The morning after the ceremony Robbie was up bright and early, a little tired from all the celebrating the day before, but ready to receive his orders.  He didn’t understand what orders meant; it must be his job or where he was going to live. He figured it must be something like that, after all what does a firefly really do.

All the new cadets met in the training room all excited anticipating the start to their new life as mature fireflies.  As he sat waiting for the captain of assignments to arrive he noticed a large map on the wall.  He strained his eyes to see it and noticed it was a map of his neighborhood, his neighborhood as a boy.  Through the door the captain of assignments walked in carrying a clipboard. 

“Today is first assignment day,” he said as he surveyed the eager group. “Each of you will be given an area to work. Today you will observe those with experience.  When I call your name you will go with your group leader.”  He then started to read off names.

“These individuals are assigned to Poplar Street, Cagewire, Runter…” each firefly stood in line and then was escorted out with their leader.

“These individuals are assigned to Mayberry Street.”

Robbie’s eyes opened wide, Mayberry Street, he was astonished thinking that is where he lived.

“Schrewer, Martworth, Robbie…”

Robbie stood up quickly and took his place in line.  ‘I am going home,’ he thought.  Then his thoughts stopped.  ‘How can I go home? I’m not a boy anymore but a firefly. This is my home now.’

Robbie followed the others out of the room and down the hall into the dining room where a huge meal was waiting.  They all ate the breakfast in silence either because of excitement or nervousness, but not a word was spoken.  After they were finished eating they were introduced to the rest of their squad.  These were mature fireflies who were huge and muscular next to the little cadets.  Some of the fireflies had rips in their wings or antenna missing, but it didn’t seem to matter to them. They all strutted around the room with immense confidence.   The cadets looked at them with envy hoping to one day be just like them.

The cadets were then paired off in twos to a big firefly who would be their work trainer. Robbie and his group were assigned to a big scary fly that had a missing eye, two ripped wings and only one antenna.  They approached him, trying not to show too much of the fear they felt.  As they stood in front of him, he gave them a warm friendly smile and said ‘hi.’

Robbie was glad to be with Martworth, they had gone through training side by side.  Martworth was one of the smallest fireflies and rather shy, but he was one of the friendliest and most determined to succeed in what he did.  Most of the others teased him, but Robbie liked him very much for he knew what it was like to be teased by others.  He was always being teased about his upturned nose, and the fact that he was smaller then most of the boys his age.

Their work trainer led them down a dark hallway that inclined upwards towards a light at the end.  He told them his name was Barra. He was the most experienced night worker. When they reached the light he motioned for them to go ahead.   They walked toward the lighted archway and found themselves in the land above. It was daylight and their eyes were not accustomed to such brightness. They squinted to see the land before them.

Barra took their hands and helped walk them over to the shade under the huge old oak tree where the rest of the squad was waiting.  Robbie and Martworth sat down with the other new cadets.  Attention focused on their trainers.  Barra was the leader of this squad and he addressed the group.

“We want to welcome all the new members to Meltor Squad.  Today we will start your orientation, you will get to know all members of Meltor.”  Barra motioned toward the squad and they nodded in acknowledgement to the new members. “You must get to know each member and work closely with them, your life and theirs can depend on this knowledge and cooperation.”

All the new members spent the day out in the sun hearing stories of bravery from the old members of the Meltor squad.  They learned each squad was assigned an area and they must learn to know that area completely.  Each squad was named after a legendary hero of the past. Meltor, they learned was one of the greatest heroes surviving the most attacks ever in the history of the firefly kingdom. The area Meltor Squad was assigned to was the most treacherous since the most dangerous Land-one lived there.

The day ended with a flying race between the new and old members and a huge banquet.  Robbie could not remember when he had enjoyed himself so much.  As night fell the new members were told to go home. Tonight they would not go out, but they were to rest for tomorrow night, which would be their first work assignment.

They all retreated to their dorm rooms. Martworth was now Robbie’s roommate and the two settled in for the evening.  Martworth told Robbie about his family. He had fifty siblings and they all had been very close as infants.

“Me and my brothers were all sent off to training as soon as we evolved into beetles and my sisters were sent to reproduction training.  I am especially proud of my sisters they are important breeders because our father was a hero. ”

His father had been a member of the Meltor Squad but was killed at work one night.  “I never really knew my father I was just a larva when he died, but I have heard many wonderful things about him. I do want to be brave like he was,” Martworth said as his eyes filled with tears.

Robbie envied the fact that Martworth had brothers and sisters, being an only child had been very lonely for him.  He also wondered about the dangerous Land-one who lived in his boy-life neighborhood. He probably knew this person and therefore knew the killer of Martworth’s father.  This made him sad and he did not want to think about it.

The two friends talked and laughed late into the night until kings’ guards came to tell them lights out.  It was difficult to fall asleep that night with the thoughts of their new assignment the following evening. Eventually the both were lost in their dreams. Martworth dreaming of being a famous hero like his father. Robbie struggled to sleep, unsure of his future, would he ever be a boy again or a firefly forever. Finally his dreams mellowed, dreaming he was at home with Nana and she was young again.

Next morning they met in the squad room and were given instructions for the evening run.  Most were assigned to light show duty as was the common job for young fireflies who where to young for dating and marriage. When they were mature enough they would be taught the mating signals, which at this point all the young squad members thought was a rather “icky” thing, but in reality an important job to keep the community alive.  Other members of the squad were assigned to food gathering for the elderly and injured members of the kingdom who could not fly and get out anymore.

Robbie and Martworth were both assigned to the same light show group so they had flashing classes all day.  The routine was easy and fun and everyone in the group was very excited to get out that evening and perform.  They were cautioned not all humans enjoyed the light show and to be very aware of the surroundings and the dangers of being caught.

At pre-dusk the squad assembled at the base of the oak tree.  The old members got their assignments and many snickered at the young new members who could hardly contain themselves with their excitement.  Attendance was taken and they all stood in groups according to their night’s assignment. Soon they flew off to Mayberry Street for an evening of work.

When they reached Mayberry Street each group followed a leader to an assigned area.  Robbie couldn’t believe it he was assigned to the area that encompassed his and Jason’s yard, he would probably see all his old friends.

Robbie was amazed.  Here he was a firefly flying around his own neighborhood.  High in the sky he surveyed the land below.  He never knew Mayberry Street was so huge. Everyone in his group started performing the practiced routine, and they looked magnificent.  About half way through the performance he saw the neighborhood boys rushing after him and Martworth.  He flew - whoosh - to the other side of the yard.  The boys, recovering from their stumble, raced over to where he hovered with his light blinking.  He then presented a sarcastic blink to them.  Again they tried to capture him and missed. He flew as fast as he could to the yard two doors down.  He sat proud on a leaf of a hazelnut tree.  ‘Not only am I the best firefly catcher on Mayberry Street, but the fastest and best firefly.’ He had no idea it could be so much fun being a bug.  ‘No one can catch Robbie the Great Firefly Extraordinaire.’

Robbie sat glowing in self-importance when in an instant darkness covered his world.  He felt moist warmth crushing him, an earthy aroma infiltrating his nostrils. Next thing he knew, he was plummeting through a clear wide tunnel.   He braced himself to hit hard.  But he came to stop with a thump on what seemed to be a soft cushion.  Robbie shook his head and waited a moment while his vision cleared.  It wasn’t a cushion.  On the floor piled one upon each other were fellow fireflies.  Some looked dazed while others were missing wings and lights, while all seemed to be gasping for breath.  Those not injured where in a frenzied mode trying to help those in need. 

He could see the clear tunnel he came down was a giant canning jar, the kind Nana used to can tomatoes, and the kind he had used to catch fireflies.  Through the glass walls of the jar the outside world was a distorted scene of colors.  Movement could be seen, but it was difficult to interpret what action was taking place in the outside world, and by whom.   A loud bang was heard up above and everyone in the glass prison let out a cry.  Robbie looked around at his fellow fireflies and saw terror on their faces as they ran in panic.  An older firefly with a calmer look about him bumped into Robbie, he evidently had experienced this horror before.

“What is happening?” Robbie cried out.  

“It’s those that captured us. They have closed off the prison. There are no air ducts in the roof,” the old firefly said has he turned to attend to a younger comrade who had no wings and was taking his last breathes of life. 

Robbie looked up and saw the cap to the jar.   There it was a solid surface with no means to let air in the jar.  This was the important reason he had received the ‘bughouse’ for a gift, it gave the fireflies plenty of air so they could breathe and not suffocate.  He never before understood the importance of this, but now he did.

Those with no injuries, or minor ones, helped separate the injured from the dead.  With tears in his eyes Robbie helped as best he could, it was not easy seeing friends he lived with and attended class with hurt or dying.  It was also getting difficult for him to breathe, but he moved along with the rest to help those who needed him.

The lid to the jar opened up again and a blast of air covered them as everyone who could, began breathing in as much air as possible.  Then suddenly the container fell to the ground with a huge jolt.  Robbie slowly stood up in a daze and saw the jar was lying on its side in the yard with the lid off.  Everyone who could move started toward the opening.  He looked down the long jar and out across the yard and saw the boys running off.  He did remember those nights with them catching fireflies. Little did he know how much harm and damage he caused.

“Help me get the injured out of the prison,” the old fly interrupted Robbie’s thoughts.  He quickly came back to the present remembering now he was a firefly now and the boys were the enemy.

All who could, helped move the injured out of the jar-prison and laid them on the cool grass.  Martworth flew back to the kingdom to get help to carry the injured back for medical care.  The old fly gave orders how to bandage broken limbs and stop bleeding, others went back into the jar and pulled out the dead and prepared them for burial as the Chaplin said a pray over the torn bodies.

Panic and discipline at the same time filled the air around the glass prison.  Most of the young fireflies cried in terror not knowing where to run.  The mature took charge comforting the scared and attending the injured.


Martworth returned with the medical group and soon all the injured were taken back to the hospital for emergency care.  The dead were left where they succumbed as the survivors said a silent pray themselves before returning home.

“So now you see what your kind has done to our citizens.  For what reason? Because we can do something they cannot?  We light up the sky at night with a beautiful show giving beauty to the world of humans, and what do we get, death and mutilation.” 

A huge teardrop ran down his cheek and sorrow showed in his eyes as he looked up at the King, “I never knew what I was doing. I never thought of the fireflies as living beings.  Nana tried to tell me. She gave me the bughouse for collecting, but still I never really knew.”  He then let out a loud howl and was unable to stop crying.

§

© Copyright 2013   Eileen A Partak

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Captured Fire - Part 6

Image courtesy of suphakit73 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is the Sixth
installment of the 
short story 
Captured Fire

This story is the story of a nine-year-old boy,
Robbie, who enters a magical world where he learns about the meaning of life,
friendship, and respect for others


***
Four lights exactly the firefly guards were at his door.  They took him down to the dining room where he had more nuts and seeds washing it down with his now favorite drink rose petal honeysuckle nectar.  After breakfast they marched him though a huge room then through a door at the other end. This room looked like an operating room.  It was bright with daisy petals on the walls that make it look like white paint.  There wasn’t much in the room except a chair and a small table in the middle, also covered with daisy petals.  A fairy came in who was dressed like a doctor in scrubs. He was busy in thought reading something on the clipboard he carried.

“Good morning Robbie, I am Dr. Heathcliff.  Don’t be scared this will not hurt, it will be fine, just relax,” the Doctor said as the nurse put him on the table.  Dr. Heathcliff then put a blue bell over Robbie’s nose and told him to breath in.  The scent of flowers was intoxicating and Robbie saw visions of fields with wildflowers and fairies fluttering all around.  He heard another voice, which echoed from far away, “count backwards from one hundred” but he was concentrating on looking at the beautiful scenery as colors swirled around in his mind like a kaleidoscope.

The next thing he knew he was waking up in a dark room. He was covered with a moss blanket and he was lying on a rock bed.  A flower fairy was standing next to his bed, she was dressed in white rose petals and was touching his head the way Mama did when he had a fever.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

Robbie blinked his eyes several times to adjust them to the light.  “I’m ok. I guess.  What happened, where am I?  My back feels funny and so do my legs.  Am I dying?”

The Nurse Fairy laughed, “no you are not dying you just had a transformation.  Don’t worry Dr. Heathcliff is very good. His medical skills are the best in the whole kingdom that is why he has been appointed physician to the King. If you are thirsty I can get you something to drink.”

“Yes I would like a little rose petal honeysuckle nectar if you could, please.”

She went around the corner of the room to get the nectar.  Robbie was feeling a little tired and sore, but basically fine.  He started to move his hands along his body and suddenly stopped.  ‘I don’t think I am alone in this bed,’ he thought.

The nurse came back with the drink.  “Let me help you get up.”

Robbie motioned for her to come close.  “Nurse,” he whispered, “I think there is a firefly under the covers lying on top of me.”

She laughed out loud, “No there’s not. That is the new you. You needed a transformation for your purpose.”  Robbie’s heart almost stopped.  What was she talking about?  He lifted up the blanket looked down at his legs and body in disbelief.  It was not a firefly lying on top of him; his boy body was no longer there in its place was a firefly body.

“Here let me help you up,” she said.  Carefully she helped him up into a sitting position and slowly pulled off the moss blanket.

Robbie did not know what to do. He blinked his eyes and looking down at the firefly that was now him.  He looked at the nurse with a look that asked for answers to many questions.  Just then the door burst open and there stood King Huron. 

“I see you are doing fine,” the King said as he sat down next to Robbie “ Dr. Heathcliff tells me you should be ready to start your training by the end of the day.”

“What happened to my body, why am I like this?” Robbie cried to the King. “What training are you talking about?”

“Did you not read the story last night?”

“Of course I read it, but what does that have to do with me being turned into a firefly?”

“You Robbie are the one, by your birth you are the special one to save our land.  You will be trained for your purpose. If you are successful you will once more obtain your human body, if not you will remain here a firefly forever.” King Huron stood and walked from the room, followed by his guards.

Robbie was very confused. Yes he read the story and knew of a special one, but he was not a fairy. Actually now he wasn’t even a boy, he was a firefly, or a boyfly. He didn’t have time to analyze this now.  Dr. Heathcliff and the nurse were at his bedside preparing him to leave.

“The transformation went very well. You are now ready to be released and attend your training classes,” the Doctor told him.

“What do I do with this body, how do I walk…” Robbie started with all the questions that filled his brain.

“I am not the one to answer your questions. You will learn all that in training class,” the Doctor said has he helped Robbie off the bed.  “You will be taken to the training room now.  Have a good time with your new body, which I must say I did do a magnificent job.”
  
Robbie found himself sitting; waiting in another little room.  At this point he was in a total daze, not sure if he was awake, alive, or what.  The door opened and in walked a huge firefly even bigger than King Huron.  “Come with me. I am Drayon. I will be training you.” He turned and walked out the door. Robbie quickly followed him down the dark corridor into a huge bright room.  The room was like the health club Dad went to in town.  Fireflies were in small groups all over the room with coaches, some doing floor exercises, others lifting weights, and still others suspended from strings being pulled along at high speeds and spinning in circles.

Drayon led him to a small group of very young fireflies in the corner.  Robbie towered over them and they looked up at him with an interested but guarded stare, they never before saw a firefly with a boy’s face.  “Okay this class is Light Messages 101. We will get started with the basics today. Everyone look at your bulb.”

All the young fireflies lifted their bulbs high and turned around to look at them.  Robbie was not sure what to do, but thought hard about lifting the bulb, and it moved up.  Still in shock he turned his head, and there it was, a big light at the end of his back.  He figured this had to be a dream, a real feeling dream, but a dream nonetheless.   He decided he might as well make it a fun one and not a nightmare. He joined the rest of the fireflies and started studying.

Each day Robbie woke early, ate his breakfast and was off to his classes. He was beginning to like this school.  He learned how to communicate with his bulb, how the different flashes meant different things.  Flying class was his favorite.  In the first class they were all tied up with spider webs suspended from the ceiling and just hung and spun around.  At later classes a big spider would run around pulling them up and down and spinning as they started to move their wings. 

At the final class, as they were moving through the air, Drayon nodded to the spider and he cut the strings.  This was a surprise to all the young firefly cadets as they tumbled downward to the ground.   Robbie started to panic as he suddenly plummeted in a downward spiral.  Then as if by instinct he started to move his wings.  At first nothing happened so he worked them harder, the harder he moved them the louder the sound and he could feel a small breeze being generated by them.  As his little firefly body neared the ground he suddenly swooshed up in a burst.  The next thing he knew he was flying around the room. Zooming up and down. Spinning around and upside down.  He was amazed, he was flying, and he was a firefly!

Robbie landed along side other successful fliers. Those who were unsuccessful at flying were attended to and taken from the room.  Most of the unsuccessful were crying, not because they were physically hurt, but because they knew they did not pass and would have to retake the class until they could pass it and fly.

“Congratulations on mastering the skill of flying,” Drayon addressed them with a proud sound to his voice.  “You are now ready to move on to receive your certificate of accomplishment and then your orders.” 

The ceremony was a huge event in firefly land.  Robbie was feeling a little down since he had no family in this strange world to see his accomplishment.  His name was called, he walked across the stage to receive his certificate, and his wing pin, which was formed from oak leaves in the shape of firefly wings. As he shook hands with Drayon a loud roar burst forth from the audience.  Robbie looked out in the crowd and saw Rosella, Tytra, Doctor Heathcliff, his nurse and all the flower fairies he had met when he first arrived, standing up cheering for him.  Along with them were fireflies he had met during his training, kings’ guards, and to his surprise King Huron himself.  He walked across the stage with tear filled eyes feeling so happy that these new friends felt so warmly about him.  He took his award from Drayon and turned to everyone, holding his certificate high above his head smiling at all his new friends.

§

© Copyright 2013   Eileen A Partak


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Captured Fire - Part 5

Image courtesy of suphakit73 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is the Fifth
installment of the 
short story 
Captured Fire

This story is the story of a nine-year-old boy, Robbie,who enters a magical world where he learns about the meaning of life, friendship, and respect for others.

This installment is the book Robbie must read.

“Legend of Promise”

Many years ago a flower fairy was promised in marriage to a firefly prince. The fairies had special powers and so did the fireflies.  A marriage between the two species would merge their magic and make them much stronger in facing the hardships of life.

Ninnea was not the typical flower fairy. She was always looking for adventures and wandered off many times. One day as she wandered far from the woods of oak, which was the boundary for young flower fairies, a young human named Arthur captured her.  He kept her for several weeks treating her with respect and kindness.  During this time she could not help falling in love with him because of his kind heart.  One day he let her go back to her land, for he thought it was not right to keep her away from her home where her family must be very worried.

Ninnea never forgot him and his kind heart. On the eve of her marriage to the firefly prince she tried to run away back to the young man who captured her heart.  The king’s guard caught her as she tried to leave the forest and brought her before the king and the prince. She told her intended she could not marry him and that she wanted to return to the land above to find her true love.

The prince was furious wondering how she could talk to, let alone love, a Land-one.  For centuries the Land-ones had tortured and killed the fireflies. He told her that if she left all the magic powers she had would disappear and those of the firefly kingdom. Marriages between the fireflies and fairies would no longer be permitted.    Ninnea did not care, for the love in her heart for Arthur was deep and true, much stronger than her desire for magical powers, and her mind too clouded with love to consider what it would do to the fireflies. The king finally granted her request, but told her that the first male offspring born to her family must be surrendered to them. He would be kindhearted and help them spread the word of love and respect for life. He could return to his own land only if he proved worthy of his purpose, if not he would become a firefly forever. At this time the firefly kingdom would regain their magic and the two groups could once again marry.

Ninnea promised and was let go to find her true love and become a Land-one.  She was made human size and left at the grove of oak trees, alone and frightened hoping that Arthur would soon find her.  He found her that afternoon and was so happy to see that she had returned to him. Later that year they were married and built a little house at the edge of the oak forest.  The next year they had a baby.  Ninnea and Arthur had five more children, all girls, not one boy.  Ninnea felt sad that the promised one would never come to save the land where she grew up.  She feared her old home, family, and friends would die and be forever forgotten because of her selfishness.

Arthur knew the story of how she was released to come find him and the promise she had made to the king and prince.  He comforted her by saying it would happen someday, if not a male born to them to serve the purpose, it would be the son of one of their daughters or one of her children or their children.  But an offspring of theirs would some day be the promised one to fulfill the purpose and enlighten the human race to respect all life no matter what form it took.

Ninnea and Arthur never had a son, but loved all their daughters and taught them to respect life.   Their daughters and the daughters of their daughters never had a son, but all passed on the story of Ninnea and the promise to give a male offspring to the fireflies in order to save their world.


***
Robbie finished the story right at the stroke of ten moons.  He laid down in the bed and wondered what this story had to do with him.   King Huron and Rosella told him he would know his purpose soon. That night he dreamed of fairies, fireflies, Ninnea and Arthur and all their daughters.  Nana Peters was also in his dream, at least he thought it was Nana, only she was young and beautiful and looked like a fairy

§

© Copyright 2013   Eileen A Partak

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Captured Fire - Part 4

Image courtesy of suphakit73 /FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is the Fourth
installment of the 
short story 
Captured Fire

This story is the story of a nine-year-old boy, Robbie, who enters a magical world  where he learns about the meaning of life, friendship, and respect for others

***
The Acorn Fairies took Robbie to a wooded area near a creek and left him on a rock.   He stood shivering wishing he had never seen, let alone capture the Rose Fairy.  As he stood there a group of fireflies landed in front of him.  The glow was almost blinding, there where hundreds, thousands of them.  In the center of the group there seemed to be a carriage of some sort made from a black walnut shell with acorn caps as wheels and a team of inchworms pulling it.  Robbie stood still not knowing what to expect.  The fireflies parted as the door to the vehicle was opened.  Out stepped a huge firefly with round wide long black wings that hung down his body like a cape.    He had a larger and brighter light than the others and he had flashing lights on his head; like a crown.  As he walked towards Robbie the small fireflies all bowed down.  Then one of them shouted, “All bow down… King Huron ruler of all fireflies comes.” A small thin firefly tapped Robbie on the back and motioned for him to bow down.

Robbie assumed a prostrate position as the huge firefly came near.  “Robbie the Land-one, I must bestow upon you your purpose,” King Huron’s voice rumbled in Robbie’s head.  “Rise and come with me.”   Trembling, Robbie slowly stood up facing the colossal king who turned and walked with importance to his waiting carriage.   The same small firefly motioned for him to follow.  Robbie entered the carriage and sat opposite the king, they both sat in silence the entire trip.  After what seemed like an endless journey the carriage stopped in a meadow at the edge of a forest, they had reached the firefly kingdom and the king’s castle. 

As before, a large group of fireflies surrounded the king now with Robbie in tow, and the procession advanced to an opening under a pile of wet leaves.  Once inside they proceeded down a long musty corridor and entered into a large “throne” room.  King Huron marched his way to a throne made up of maple leaves and sat down royally as Robbie was halted and told again to bow down. 

“Rise Robbie the Land-one,” the King said “ and come forward,” Robbie shaking in terror moved toward the King.

“The firefly population is dying,” the King told him, “being tortured and destroyed by the Land-ones. We must be saved, humans need to know we are living creatures and we should receive the same respect as anyone. Too much of nature is being destroyed. The problem must be resolved.  You, Robbie the Land-one, are the special one by your birth, chosen to be our savior promised by legend. It is up to you.

“There once was magic in the firefly world,” the King went on to say, “but it was taken away and will be returned when the time is right, when the correct one comes to us.” 

Robbie could not comprehend what was being told to him.   Special one promised in legend, what in the world did that have to do with him? He was just an ordinary kid, one that got in trouble like anyone, what made him special.  He didn’t want to be special; he just wanted to find the reverse magic words that would send him back home.

“Tomorrow morning you will start your training and your transformation. But tonight you read this to understand the legend,” King Huron handed him a large book.

Hands shaking. Robbie took the book.  It was a large book with a purple cover and binding.  The front cover was adorned with raised carvings of oak trees and images of flower fairies and fireflies, whose bulbs actually blinked on and off.  The edges of the pages were golden in color and the light reflecting from them made Robbie believe they were covered with real gold.  In the middle of the cover, in red old English style font was the title Legend of Promise.”

King Huron nodded his head and the firefly guards escorted Robbie from the throne room.  They led him down a dark corridor and into a small dark musty room that was dug out from the side of the wall.  

“You will spend the night here reading.  We will come for you at four lights tomorrow morning,” the guard with deepest voice told him.  “Dinner is on that table. You must darken the room at ten moons, so read quickly.” he closed the door with a loud bang.

Robbie examined the room; nothing surprised him anymore and being in this land was starting to look normal.  The room was much like all the others, dirt walls and furniture, made not out of wood, metal, or plastic as it was at home, but out of nature, flowers, rocks, moss. 

He walked over to a little rock desk and slowly put the book down.  Next to the desk stood a carved out tree limb, a firefly standing tall glowing his yellow bulb brightly served as a lamp (he later found out serving as lamps was one of many firefly occupations).  On the rock table sat his dinner, a large maple leaf piled high with toasted acorns drenched in elderberry sauce to satisfy his hunger.  He drank from the bowl, which again held rose petal honeysuckle nectar that he was starting to acquire a taste for. After dinner he began to read. He didn’t have much time to learn what he needed to know regarding his purpose and the reason he was being called the special one.
§

© Copyright 2013   Eileen A Partak