YR 47 Issue 1 2011
Short Story
Into the wilderness
By AZER N. PARROCHA
THE WILD boars were not a welcoming bunch. Their greasy hooves were devouring on this piece of red meat that looked like it had gone bad, no—maybe even rotten and it was not at all in condition to be eaten. It
had the word “revolting” written all over it.
They were such disgraceful beasts, far different from you, who was poised and domesticated. Disgusted, you stick your tongue out and look away to gaze at the pretty white dandelions instead. Your physological timing mechanism tells you that it is only a few more minutes until you would witness the sight of the most exquisite bevy of birds your land has ever seen.
There were only five of them, each of them bearing feathers of different colors: black, white, gray, brown, and red. They were all natives from the Korean Peninsula, one of the things that made them most special. But what made them even more special was the fact that these birds could not only sing, but dance as well. This was a feature that attracted most of the female specie.
Creatures of all different shapes and sizes were gathered there since daybreak to make sure they did not miss one flash of action. It was afterall, best to be there ahead of schedule, but they were all in it for one of the longest wait of their lives, including yours.
Waiting had almost gotten the rest of the animals, including yourself, into combat even if there was nothing to fume about. Except of course the harsh reality that it would take longer than anticipated for these birds to surface.
You held an averrage-sized leaf close to your chest as you watched the other beasts wrestle like a bunch of bumbling babboons. That leaf was the ticket to get out of the place as soon as time and instance would
allow it.
Moments later, a ground-dwelling monkey (speaking of baboons) with a prominent snout, large teeth and pink buttocks walked up front and silenced the uproar coming from the aggravated horde of animals. By waving both hairy arms in the air, he signaled that their much-anticipated feathered friends were coming out to show in seconds...10...9...8... The fauna pacified, wanting nothing more than to caress those velvety feathers... 7...6...5...almost soundless now, every beast grew tense and at the same time, eager... 4...3...2...
The astronomical ball of fire knew exactly when to come out. Instinctively, the bright beam of light illuminated the epicenter of the elevated land and one by one, the multitude faced the light, squinting, but trying hard so as not to blink.
With the rising of the sun, five shadows emerged each with a pair of wings in distinct shape and form. The silhouttes were dancing in front of the light until it had finally reached the peak of the sky. The ambience
was warm and silent.
Just then, a retrospect of swooping, propelling, crooning and buzzing filled the heavy atmosphere with roaring in utter amazement as the five birds found their places in the presence of beasts both big
and small. And as their quick yet excellent performance was brought to an end, the rumbling horde was yet again starting to turn into the overpowering bunch of brutes.
With your thoughts forming fast, you thrust yourself forward the shaking sea of the warm-blooded, with sweatdrops forming in your own hide. The heavy foot of a large gray animal that had a flexible trunk and prominent ears treads on one of your own and the intense pain makes your eyes water. Still, this does not stop you from thrusting yourself even harder while going against the headlong rush of animals.
It felt like having to go through a mousehole. The extreme difficulty every creature took to shove themselves in front to meet the superstar birds in the flesh, in a more respective level. But only one was small enough to have fit and made through. It was you, of course.
had the word “revolting” written all over it.
They were such disgraceful beasts, far different from you, who was poised and domesticated. Disgusted, you stick your tongue out and look away to gaze at the pretty white dandelions instead. Your physological timing mechanism tells you that it is only a few more minutes until you would witness the sight of the most exquisite bevy of birds your land has ever seen.
There were only five of them, each of them bearing feathers of different colors: black, white, gray, brown, and red. They were all natives from the Korean Peninsula, one of the things that made them most special. But what made them even more special was the fact that these birds could not only sing, but dance as well. This was a feature that attracted most of the female specie.
Creatures of all different shapes and sizes were gathered there since daybreak to make sure they did not miss one flash of action. It was afterall, best to be there ahead of schedule, but they were all in it for one of the longest wait of their lives, including yours.
Waiting had almost gotten the rest of the animals, including yourself, into combat even if there was nothing to fume about. Except of course the harsh reality that it would take longer than anticipated for these birds to surface.
You held an averrage-sized leaf close to your chest as you watched the other beasts wrestle like a bunch of bumbling babboons. That leaf was the ticket to get out of the place as soon as time and instance would
allow it.
Moments later, a ground-dwelling monkey (speaking of baboons) with a prominent snout, large teeth and pink buttocks walked up front and silenced the uproar coming from the aggravated horde of animals. By waving both hairy arms in the air, he signaled that their much-anticipated feathered friends were coming out to show in seconds...10...9...8... The fauna pacified, wanting nothing more than to caress those velvety feathers... 7...6...5...almost soundless now, every beast grew tense and at the same time, eager... 4...3...2...
The astronomical ball of fire knew exactly when to come out. Instinctively, the bright beam of light illuminated the epicenter of the elevated land and one by one, the multitude faced the light, squinting, but trying hard so as not to blink.
With the rising of the sun, five shadows emerged each with a pair of wings in distinct shape and form. The silhouttes were dancing in front of the light until it had finally reached the peak of the sky. The ambience
was warm and silent.
Just then, a retrospect of swooping, propelling, crooning and buzzing filled the heavy atmosphere with roaring in utter amazement as the five birds found their places in the presence of beasts both big
and small. And as their quick yet excellent performance was brought to an end, the rumbling horde was yet again starting to turn into the overpowering bunch of brutes.
With your thoughts forming fast, you thrust yourself forward the shaking sea of the warm-blooded, with sweatdrops forming in your own hide. The heavy foot of a large gray animal that had a flexible trunk and prominent ears treads on one of your own and the intense pain makes your eyes water. Still, this does not stop you from thrusting yourself even harder while going against the headlong rush of animals.
It felt like having to go through a mousehole. The extreme difficulty every creature took to shove themselves in front to meet the superstar birds in the flesh, in a more respective level. But only one was small enough to have fit and made through. It was you, of course.
Coming face to face with such exquisiteness made your eyes water yet again, not because of frustration or nuisance, not because of pain or sorrow, but because every single instant was as precious to you as if it was the last drop of water in the river during the season of drought.
You took out your paw holding a leaf that bore marks fresh from a battle. Delicately, you surrendered it to the wonder birds to mark on. Each line and curve solemnized a point in history that would remain unforgettable amid all the other memories you would try to recall.
And as time and space stopped momentarily, and the whole cosmos aligned, upon the end of the celebrities signing their autographs on your poster, your smile emits a glow of pure joy and you skip your way out to the exit. Everyone waved as you leave the once ruthless now generous CD-shop, clutching the Korean boy band poster in your right hand, and wiping sweat off your forehead with the left one.
Today calls for a celebration. You have, once again lived through the struggle of survival in the wilderness.
You took out your paw holding a leaf that bore marks fresh from a battle. Delicately, you surrendered it to the wonder birds to mark on. Each line and curve solemnized a point in history that would remain unforgettable amid all the other memories you would try to recall.
And as time and space stopped momentarily, and the whole cosmos aligned, upon the end of the celebrities signing their autographs on your poster, your smile emits a glow of pure joy and you skip your way out to the exit. Everyone waved as you leave the once ruthless now generous CD-shop, clutching the Korean boy band poster in your right hand, and wiping sweat off your forehead with the left one.
Today calls for a celebration. You have, once again lived through the struggle of survival in the wilderness.
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Year 47 | Issue 1 | 2011
