Naming Day

“Have you spoken to the Barn Owl yet today?”

“No, not yet, I’m still eating my lunch.”

“Well, you must speak with him before you go out and play.”

“Why must it be today?”

“Today you are 15, you know the drill. Everyone speaks to the Barn Owl on their 15th birthday. It is a real thrill.”

“Yes, but the journey seems long.”

“It is, my dear, but worth it all the same.”

I nodded my head as I finished my bread.

I put on my coat and boots and headed out of the homestead.

Mama yelled out to me, “Remember the journey is perilous ahead! Stick to the path and you won’t feel dread!”

Again, I nodded my head and made my way through our small village.

Every one I passed had concern on their face.

They knew where I was going and they were right to worry. The last one to have gone disappeared without a trace.

I kept walking till I reached the edge of town.

I found the path I had to go down.

The path was leading through a dense forest.

Then I found a plaque on the ground.

“To get to the Barn Owl, you must not stray. The path is protected, the outside is not. One does not dare to step off.”

I stepped onto the path and left the world I knew behind me.

I couldn’t help but notice the strange things beside me.

The trees had no bark, they were soft and smooth. The leaves were metal and made pretty noises when the wind made them move.

I could hear nothing else except for my feet on the ground.

The odd forest stretched out on both sides for miles. Was it weird to not hear any other sound?

After I had been walking for what seemed like hours, a noise hit my ears that made me cower.

Something was moving in the odd forest almost directly beside me.

I looked to my right and saw a terrible sight.

It was some kind of monster covered in fur. He had large claws, sharp teeth and red eyes.

I looked at him with surprise. I had never seen an animal like this before.

I thought they had gone extinct before the Great War.

Looking him dead in the eyes I could see I was wrong.

I knew he could not hurt me though, as I was on the path.

I continued to walk not daring to look. He was now keeping pace with me and it had me shook!

Eventually he gave up and I no longer heard him beside me.

Then, a new creature came up to the path on the opposite side. I turned to look and thought, What is it this time?

I looked and looked and didn’t see a thing, then I looked down and thought, What is this thing?

It was very small, with scales instead of fur. It had pointy ears and a tail as long as its body.

Just when I was thinking maybe he wasn’t so bad, I saw something that made me quite mad.

He was not alone, no, I could see 30 more or so.

They all lined up next to the path, knowing that even if I made one little step off it, they would band together and kill me I knew it.

As they followed along beside me, I kept repeating to myself, the path is safe, the path is safe.

Even when they tried to throw rocks at my face.

“That won’t work!” I told them as I kept going, but they showed no signs of slowing.

I picked up my pace as I saw my destination nearing.

That wasn’t so bad, I said to myself. What had I been fearing?

Just then a loud noise made all the small creatures scatter.

What could possibly be the matter?

Out of the depths of the forest came a great monster.

He had to be at least 20 feet tall.

Never in my life did I feel so small.

He looked down at me as I looked up at him.

He had on his face an evil grin.

His eyes were black and had wings at his side. You mean to tell me this thing could fly?

His body was covered head to toe in black feathers.

I watched as one of the feathers fell off and fell slowly to the ground. It fell to the middle of the path in front of me.

I was confused, I thought the path was protected?

Maybe it was on the sides, but not from above.

The barn was in full view now, I was so close.

I decided to run for it as the giant tried to reach for me.

He was too slow and I was fast. He missed with every pass.

I broke free of the path and forest and stopped to catch my breath.

I turned around to look back at the giant.

He screamed in frustration and then skulked away.

I couldn’t believe I made it all the way.

I turned back around and looked at the barn.

It was very old and the paint was chipping.

It even seemed like it might be tipping.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.

I walked gingerly across the hay covered floor.

Empty stalls lined each side of the barn.

In the middle, on its perch, was the Barn Owl.

The only light coming from the outside shone down directly on him.

He looked at me as I walked in.

“Is it okay that I come in?” I ask.

He tilts his head this way and that.

He spreads one of his wings towards me and says, “Come here, child.”

He spoke with a British accent and towards him I went.

I stood before him and our eyes met.

“I see it is your 15th birthday,” he says, “Is there anything you would like to say?”

I shook my head, no way.

“Very well. It is not required for you to speak. You will grow and you will live long. You will even be strong. Strong of heart and strong of mind. People will come to you for advice and you will give it in kind. Be a good person and you will live a happy and healthy life. And now, for a name. You can’t live this life without a proper name. You shall be called… Shane.”