Bronze Eagle

A Story by J.

As I make my way through the small gap between two pine trees, I see out beyond them with awe. I struggle free from the sticky, rough bark and gaze at the view. I was staring at mountains with white snow caps. I had just emerged from the forest and out into a valley which sloped ever-so-steadily downwards. I was about 2,000 feet above my small village, which was back the other way. I was surrounded by tall, gray mountains. It had taken me about 5 and a half hours to get here, but I left early in the morning, so it is only slightly past noon now. The sun, which was blazing directly above me, was a bright orb of gold and yellow, quite brilliant at this altitude. As I squinted at it, I spotted a large, silhouette figure swoop right in front of it, and disappear into the sun's rays. I searched for it, but had no luck. I decided it was just a hawk diving into the forest for a snack. I moved on. I was making my way down the valley, when I saw a bird perched on a dead tree ahead. I went up to the tree and stared at the bird, and the bird stared back at me. It had bright, gold orbs for eyes, and a small, black pupil that pierced me power and courage. The bird had bright, shining bronze feathers, and it's head's feathers were pearly white, and glittered in the sun's rays. Then I realized what I was staring at! A Bald Eagle! No, wait, bald eagles don't have bronze feathers. But it was an eagle, I knew that. But before I had a chance to find out, it flew away. But it left a feather behind, a single feather. It was held fast in the tree's limb, and with all my strength, I yanked at it. It wouldn't budge. And right before my eyes, the tree was growing leaves! I watched and waited for 5 minutes, and then it was done. The tree was covered in green leaves and pink blossoms! I had never seen a tree like that before!

I told my people about the eagle, but that did not go well. My people blamed the bird for a terrible drought that followed after my journey, nearly 5 days later. And so the legend grew, The eagle heat-bringer, The eagle plant-burner, The eagle fire-hoarder, and now, the eagle : mythical creature. But the eagle is what gave me life! But, what I didn't tell you is that I named the bird, I named it: Phoenix.