As
the chill night rain touched the surface of the huge egg it splashed and
sparkled in every direction. The rain was intensifying in silvery streams
across the rocky hillside. At the top of the rise the stone paths gave way to a
level area of flowers and shrubs. It was here amongst the dark flowers that the
great egg stood silently. The egg was as big as a house with huge smooth sides
curved precisely upward. The rain cascaded down the egg creating puddles here
and there amongst the flowers.
From
out of the rain storm a faint light shone dimly. Slowly the light formed into a
ghostly outline. It moved steadily across the stones until it stood near the
egg.
Another
shape appeared suddenly in the rainy air. It swooped downward in a black edged
rush of movement. The larger white shape shimmered and grew in size. From
within the bright shadow a series of lines and forms solidified. The outlines
glowed in pale lines and became clearer and more definite. The lines gleamed in
the outline of a white horse.
The
horse was as white as chalk, gleaming and graceful, standing still beside the
egg. The horse looked around and as he did the rain slowed and began to clear.
The dark shape flew into view and settled on the stones amongst the flowers.
The dark form was shuffling and shaking itself free of raindrops.
‘Crow
”said the horse, ”You are late.”
The
crow shook its wings and hopped up into the air.
“The
weather slowed me right down” hissed the crow.
The
crow shook its head frenetically.
“Get
yourself an umbrella” said the horse under its breath.
The
crow looked hard at the horse.
The
horse was beautiful beyond description. Its white mane shook flecks of dark
rain into the air. It was so white that it was difficult to look at the horse
for too long. The black crow had to admit that the horse looked magnificent. It
was undeniable.
Yet
the crow did not want to admire the horse too obviously.
“His
head is big enough already” thought the crow.
Now
the rain had stopped completely.
A
gradual wave of crystal moonlight crossed the hillside.
Below
the hillside valleys of black trees stretched into the distance. The forest was
vast reaching far away toward the horizon.
The
horse looked around with a thoughtful expression.
Slowly
he spoke with a serious tone,
“The
moonlight will hasten the ritual”.
The
crow nodded. It stretched its wings.
“Soon”
whispered the crow simply.
The
moon poured down light upon the hilltop.
Raindrops
glittered on the pale surface of the egg.
The
horse watched the egg expectantly.
Suddenly
a third creature appeared on the hilltop moving in an agile crawl.
It
seemed to come out of nowhere. The creature stood up and let out a low growl.
“Leopard”
nodded the horse by way of acknowledgement toward the newcomer.
The
crow fluttered nervously up into the cold air.
“Don’t
flatter yourself!” growled the leopard.
“I
can’t abide the taste of ravens, tough as old boots.”
“I’m
a crow” squawked the bird.
“Silence”
said the horse in a soft voice barely more than a whisper.
The leopard’s
eyes flashed with anger. His tail curled up into the air.
His
paws padded along the stones in silence. His fur shone like the colour of a
summer beach. The leopard growled softly and then lay on the ground.
The
horse stood still beside the leopard and the crow.
Moonlight
flowed down over the three creatures.
The
moonlight was sharp as needles, glinting and shimmering on the surface of the
egg.
The
leopard stretched and the crow shuffled.
The
silence of the hilltop was unbroken.
Pale
stars above the hilltop called down suddenly,
“Horse,
let us know the news”.
The
horse glanced upward, “all in good time” he replied.
The
crow stared up at the brittle, distant stars. The leopard licked its paws with
careful, deliberate strokes. It moved nearer the egg.
“Look”
it growled.
Across
the surface of the egg a fine crack had appeared. Very slowly in fine streaks
the crack lengthened and spread. The thin lines moved steadily across the
surface.
The
egg was opening into the moonlight.
The
horse moved closer and the crow fluttered up into the air to get a better view.
Only the leopard was still, its emerald eyes taking in the seconds of
revelation. The cracks grew and grew moving with increased speed in fine pulses
on the egg surface.
The
eggshell glowed with moonlight as the cracks accelerated in every direction.
Low cracking sounds came from the surface of the egg.
The
horse raised a front leg in anticipation.
A
silvery light began to emerge from the eggshell cracks. It sparkled and ran
over the three waiting creatures. Shadows and silver pulses of light radiated
into the cold night air.
Silver
and emerald, crystal and amber streaks of light seemed to float above the egg.
From one crack a strong burst of light shot out toward the sky. Shading his
eyes with his wings the crow stared toward the egg.
A
further section of the egg broke away. The leopard stared hypnotized by the
beautiful cascades of light. Across the surface of the egg tiny flowering
bursts of light shone and then faded. Bright lines seemed to glimmer and burst
into the air and then fade away again.
The
last part of the eggshell fell away. As the egg finally opened the heads of the
flowers gradually turned toward the light.
There
before them the glowing egg rivaled the intensity of the moon itself.
It
was then that the girl stepped out of the light.
She
was small yet her hands and face were full of the most beautiful
colours.
The horse instinctively bowed its head. The leopard flattened itself on the
ground. The crow dropped its beak to the stones. All sense of cold seemed to
leave the air.
The
light began to fade.
The
stars above watched the girl take a step. They whispered in celebration. The
forest trees swayed in respect.
Faraway
the sea itself took a deep, delighted breath. The waves rushed to the shore to
catch a glimpse of the girl.
The
forest moved with shadows to witness her.
Now
from between the dark trees came owls, deer, jaguars, eagles, foxes, ravens,
monkeys and apes. In the shadowy mass the animals came to adore the girl. She
was their light, their day and night, the bringer of dawn and dusk. The birds
circled above the girl.
Then
the girl walked amongst them like a ghost Queen reclaiming her kingdom of
shadows. She climbed up upon the white horse.
With
the leopard beside them they walked into the forest to greet the coming dawn.
Chris Bird
June 1st 2016
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