The Lion and the Falcon

[SolarCat]

Centuries ago, when the world was young and history was not yet written, Leo the Lion ruled all the creatures of the land and sea. He was a kind and gentle ruler and a friend to all creatures of all sizes. His subjects loved him and delighted in his company, from the smallest koi to the largest dragon.

Leo loved the creatures of the land and the fish of the sea, but over the years their love and respect grew dull and unimportant, and he decided he wanted more. His vanity grew and grew until one day he decided that friendship with his subjects was not enough, he required them to worship him instead. When he attempted to convey this new requirement to his loyal subjects, however, he was not met with immediate obedience, but rather with confusion.

The frustrated lion determined that the only way to obtain the worship he desired would be to display his superiority for all to see. He began to swim in the river but accompanied by the koi, their playful splashes unsuccessful in obtaining his smile. He changed course to swim through the deep oceans but the mighty leviathans accompanied him on his journey, and he was no match for their prowess in the sea. He journeyed through the forest but the unicorns kept pace, fiercely watching out for his safety. He traveled through the driest desert but the pegasi kept watch from above, bringing him water and shading him from the sun. He started to climb the tallest mountain in the land but the ibex cleared his way through the rough terrain, lest he cut himself on the sharp rock.

The mighty lion sat down in despair. No matter where he went, his subjects kept pace with him. No matter what he did, he could not prove himself better than all the creatures of the land and the sea.
Leo looked to the sky for inspiration and caught a glimpse of a small shadow flying high against the sun. Pushing away the loyal ibex he sprinted higher, as fast and as far as he could, before collapsing breathlessly with his squinting eyes still on the sky. He saw the shadow again, and this time he could see a faint hint of powerful wings and a curved, sharp beak. He was approaching the nesting ground of the mythical Falcon, a creature reputed by the creatures of the land and the sea as a sign of good luck and great fortune to those pure of heart.

Straining against the rapidly thinning air and the increasingly difficult terrain, Leo continued upward running on pure adrenaline and focus. If he could reach the Falcon perhaps he, too, would be given the Falcon’s wings. If he had the wings of the Falcon he knew his subjects would immediately agree to worship him, and the Falcon himself would be forced to admit that Leo the Winged Lion was his superior.
His thoughts distracted by his imagination, Leo was startled to discover himself at the top of the mountain. He watched as the magnificent Falcon gently landed on the shoulder of a withered old man. The man looked at the stunned lion critically before opening his mouth.

“You have traveled here with vanity in your heart,” the man stated finally, his voice both firm and gentle, like a loving caress from a strong wind. “You have the love and loyalty of your subjects, who are willing to accompany you and protect you wherever you go. Why would you wish to discard that respect, and trade it for worship?” The old man sighed, his finger sadly stroking the neck of the magnificent bird on his shoulder. “Yet you have traveled all this way, and your wish will be granted. May you gain wisdom through your experience.”

With these words the graceful Falcon burst into flight. Leo watched its figure disappear into the heights of the sky before disappearing as a tiny spec against the sun. Distracted by the powerful display Leo only gradually realized that the old man had disappeared. Turning to look for him, Leo caught his reflection in a tiny spring at the top of the peak, and was stunned by what he saw.

While his impressive mane and muscular back limbs remained intact, his front legs had changed into talons while his face now ended in a ferocious pointed beak to match that of the mystic Falcon. The prize of the metamorphosis was the powerful pair of wings now folded proudly against his back. Leo unfurled his wings and let out a roar, too excited in the change to notice that his once full and deep voice had morphed into a high-pitched screaming squeal.

Leo the former Lion was quick to try out his new flying ability, soaring high into the sky to view his kingdom from a brand new angle. His keen hawk eyes picked up the sight of the koi swimming in the rivers far below. Changing his flight to parallel their path Leo happily dove from the sky, only to see the once-playful koi flee and hide from his sight. He tried to display his wings for the giant leviathans, but they dove deep into the ocean. He returned to the forest only to be chased away by the once loyal unicorns, their angry horns and terrified squeals betraying their fear. He found the pegasi, only to watch them dart and weave away on their experienced wings. He returned to the mountain and was met by a unified front of horns, the friendly ibex betraying their failure to recognize his new form.

Sighing in sadness, Leo returned to the top of the tallest mountain to mourn the loss of his friends. He heard the stories of the strange new beast, half lion and half bird, who had appeared and terrorized all the earth. He listened from afar as the world spoke of the frightful beast with terror and awe. Most importantly, he witnessed the mourning of the loss of their beloved Leo, who certainly would have met with the monster and tamed the fearsome beast so the world could live in peace once more.

This is the lesson learned by a much wiser and lonelier Leo the Gryphon, who had discovered the first of the magi and learned that loyalty and friendship are the most valuable commodities in the world, and that not all wishes should be granted.

[Niwer]

Very nice! :]

[SolarCat]

Very nice! :]

Thank you.

If you have any suggestions for improvements, they're more than welcome.