[ IP ] The Fire Rooster

The monsoon had abated. It left behind its children, puddles and runs that burrowed themselves deep into the soft earth. Leaves dripped with its passing, seemingly greener than before. The jungle slowly stretched back into life. Somewhere a bird warbled, it was answered by another, a bug *wirruped* from its hiding spot. 
 
 On a muddied, waterlogged path a young boy *plipped*, his clod feet leaving deep impressions. The ground sucked at him with every step. He was caked to his knees, poorly dressed, and affixed upon his face was a look that changed frequently from dejected hopelessness to furious anger. 
 
 `` Of course,'' He mumbled, to himself, or even to anyone who might have been listening. A part of him hoped there was. `` Of course.'' He said again, a bit louder this time, just in case there was someone listening. 
 Clutched tightly in one brown fist was an empty halter, that swung to and fro with each pump of his skinny arms. 
 
'Of course I'd lose it.' He said to himself, within his own head. He decided he would look a little less mad than if he were to shout at himself in the middle of the jungle. 
 
'And now, I shall have my hide tanned and stripped, and undoubtedly cast out to fend for myself.' He continued his inner tirade and thought of all the horrors his mother would enact upon him. 
 
 `` Our ox!'' She would shriek, rage turning her mud-brown face the colour of rich, red clay, `` Our only ox, Tekim, and you lost it!'' He would attempt to defend himself, naturally, but it would only earn him a slap. Likely two. It was better than the alternative, he was sure. 
 
 After all, who would believe that the solemn ox was stolen away by a talking hyena? 
 
 __________________ 
 
 The sun had begun to dip behind the massive green canopy, pulling it over its head. Tekim had still not found the courage to continue home. By now, assuredly, his mother was wondering, worried. He was due hours ago. Tekim paced once more in the rut he had worn in the yielding soil. He could run away. He should run away. Perhaps they would think he was eaten by a tiger. It happened. Perhaps not as frequently, but, it was possible. He worried fingers through his jet black hair as if pulling at his roots might procure the solution. He only resulted in a few less hairs than he had started with. 
 
 Around him, the jungle buzzed and whirled, paying no attention to the little man thing who had lost his ox to a conniving hyena. In fact, if the jungle only paused a moment to speak to the boy, it would have told him what he now already knew. 
 
 Perhaps he should n't trust a talking hyena. 
 
 The level of his fear and frustration had now raised to the point that he began making little noises. He kicked, and whined, tugged his hair and grunted, trying desperately to make the hyena come back and give him back his ox. But, of course, the hyena never did. 
 
 Realistically, it was curled up, fat and happy beneath the shade of a wide tree. 
 
 Tekim began to pray. He was n't normally a praying sort. His mother was, she had a shrine or two, and was very devout. A little bit of something for the kings of everything. It never made sense to Tekim why the world had to have so many kings, why could n't they share? 
 
 Yet, he had never met a King, and could never ask why they would n't. Besides, he probably would n't remember to anyway. 
 So, he prayed, long and hard, bent on his scrawny knees, hands flat on the ground, he prayed to anyone who would listen. 
 
 In one sudden moment, the jungle grew still. The birds quieted, the bugs silenced, the wind even halting his blow. There was a rush of heat, and the flapping of wings. Tekim felt his back get hot. 
 
 ***Child*** 
 
 The voice was a rich timbre, powerful and sure. The voice of a king. Tekim looked up and found himself encircled by wings of pure flame, and looked upon the biggest rooster he had ever seen. 
 
 ***The rains are past, there is no need for more*** 
 
 The Fire Rooster affixed him with one golden eye. 
 
 ***Stand up*** 
 
 Of course, Tekim could do nothing else but, at the behest of such a strange creature. The rooster towered over him even then, and there was no doubt, then, that Tekim was before a god. 
 
 The Fire Rooster switched eyes, a quick movement that made Tekim step backwards. 
 
 ***Why do you cry? *** 
 
 It asked, though its beak never moved. 
 
 `` I-I-I...'' Stammered Tekim, in awe and fright. All the while, the Fire Rooster waited patiently, its golden eye unblinking. 
 
 `` I lost my family's only ox.'' Fresh tears tracked their way down his cheeks, `` Without it, we will surely starve.'' 
 
 ***How did you lose this ox? *** 
 
 Tekim grappled briefly with the truth, but decided for it, after all, here was a talking rooster. On fire no less. 
 
 `` A hyena took it.'' 
 
 The Fire Rooster rustled its feathers, sending sparks into the air and its chest rumbled with a deep clucking sound. Tekim then realised that it was laughing. 
 
 ***Ah. Hyena. Has n't your mother told you never to trust a hyena? *** 
 
 `` It was a talking hyena,'' Protested Tekim, although he knew it was a very weak argument, it was all he had. 
 
 ***And here is a talking rooster. Do you trust me, despite? *** 
 
 `` Yes.'' Tekim replied. 
 
 ***Why? *** 
 
 `` Because you are a rooster.'' 
 
 Again the Fire Rooster laughed, sparks and embers floating to the ground. It folded its wings at its side and pecked absently at the ground. Tekim suddenly felt very cold. 
 
 ***You do n't think I'm as dangerous as a hyena? *** 
 
 Tekim watched it for a few seconds, then shook his head, `` No, you are more dangerous.'' 
 
 There was no laugh this time. 
 
 ***Quite right, child. *** 
 
 The Fire Rooster stood to its full height and spread its flaming wings, ***What would you have, child? I have heard your prayers, and though you call to many kings, I decided to come anyway. It pleases me. *** 
 
 `` An ox.'' Replied Tekim after a brief moment's hesitation, `` My ox.'' 
 
 The Fire Rooster pecked at the ground and from the mud and grime rose a small figure. Tekim blinked, and saw that it was a hyena. A fat, sleeping hyena. 
 
 ***There is your ox. Ask for something else*** 
 
 So, it was gone, then. Eaten, by that trickster hyena. Tekim became angry. If he could not have his ox, perhaps he could hurt the hyena. 
 The Fire Rooster saw the anger in his eyes. 
 
 ***There are other hyena. More wily than this one even. He will get his just desserts, as every hyena does. *** 
 The Rooster's golden eyes flashed, and it looked as if he were smiling. 
 
 `` I...'' Tekim looked sad, `` Well, then, I do n't want us to be hungry anymore.'' 
 
 ***We all do n't. *** 
 
 Was the Rooster's answer, but he bent to his wings, preened, then plucked a fire feather, letting it fall gently to the ground. It was untouched by filth, or any mortal stain. Tekim watched it in wonder, its flames reflecting in his dark eyes. 
 
 ***Take it. It will not burn you. It was given willingly. *** 
 
 Tekim did, and found that, although it was warm to the touch, hot even, it did not burn. 
 
 The Fire Rooster cocked his head, ***Were you never told of a Rooster's feathers? *** 
 
 Tekim shook his head, still looking in awe at the feather cupped in his hands. 
 
 ***If given willingly, it can grant wishes. Do not be greedy, but do not share the feather either. That is my only warning. *** 
 
 And then, the Fire Rooster enveloped Tekim in his wings, and the air grew very hot, so hot that Tekim had to close his eyes. The wind rushed and howled, the ground shifted beneath his feet, and he felt like he was screaming, but could not hear it. 
 
 And then, he was home. 
 
 He looked about and saw only his village, undisturbed, his house, and the light within. A shadow passed their little window, and his mother came to stand at the door. 
 
 There was no Rooster, and no sign that there had ever been. 
 
 Tekim was suddenly very aware of a heat nested in his palm, and when he looked, he saw a firey feather nestled there. He grinned, and started into a loping run, calling for his mother. 
 
 The sun dipped, snuggling into the valley that no one enters, and pulled the jungle canopy over his head. 
 
 Somewhere in the growing twilight, a Rooster crowed.
