The Golden Owl

The Natives of the lands talk of an old folklore of a Golden Owl that roams these woods. Never to been seen or heard for centuries but the stories that passed on for generations to generations have slowly made there way outside the little village of Abuite. Many people have traveled miles upon miles in hopes to get even just a glimpse of its Golden feathers. As it was such a rare sight, it is told that good luck and fortune would come to those who laid their eyes upon it.

This owl is not just any old barn owl. It is said that there once was a Chief of the tribe Abuite, who pledge his life to take care of and watch over the land of his people and the Forest within.

He gave up his hands, and arms for wings that stretched long and wide which gave him the gift of flight. His bronzed skin for Golden feathers that shined so bright it was as if you were staring directly into the sun. His face shaped ever so slightly into a heart to prove his undying love for his tribe and those that would walk on this land to come.

..................

"Dad, tell me the story about the owl again" I look up at him with wide-eyes and excitement. Letting out a single yawn. I lay my head back down on my pillow and burrow into my warm fuzzy blanket.

"Oh, little one don't you ever grow old of the same story every night?"

"NO! It is my favorite. It helps me fall asleep."

As my Father tucks the blanket around me, kissing my forehead. "Okay, you ready?"

...........

Chief Opa walked toward the Forest as he did every morning. The Sun delicately touching the horizon. The sounds of the Forest were perfectly in tune with one another. The Chief stood at the base of the tree line and closed his eyes to take in all that nature had to offer in that moment. Breathing in the sweet smell of the trees and grass. Feeling his bare feet against the soft cold dirt and the wind tracing over and around his skin as it passed by making its way through the land. He listened as the birds sung their song. All together these things came together in perfect harmony. In that moment Chief Opa was one with the land.

Opening his eyes he walked to the tallest Evergreen that stood amongst the Forest. There sat his eldest son at the base of the tree.

"Here young one, come help me gather flowers for your Mother" Chief Opa says to him.

The Chief and his son Adriel headed toward the pasture just passed the Forest to the east.

Adriel ran ahead reaching a field full of vibrant orange Blossoms. His Father watched as he observed each flower, picking only the most pristine.

"Ah. You've picked the finest flowers of the season, Adriel" Chief Opa exclaimed.

"They are brighter than the sun!" Adriel says with a smile. "Now, let's go wake Mother."

The village is quiet. Most are still in their homes sound asleep.

Reaching the door of their hut, Adriel pushing open the door, he runs to the bed sticking out his hand, waving a bouquet of flowers in his mother's face.
"These are for you, Mother. We picked them ourselves."

With squinty eyes Aiyana grabs the flowers and slowly leans up out of the bed. "Thank you, Adriel."

Aiyana hops out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold ground. Walking over, she grabs the clay vase sitting on the table. Filling it with water and then the Orange Blossoms.

The sun is higher now and shining through the window. "It is a beautiful day." Aiyana exclaims, looking over to Opa.
Their other children, the youngest son Ahanu, and only daughter Aponi are still asleep their beds.


"It's a good day for hunting, don't you think Adriel?" Chief Opa says.

Grabbing his bow and arrows, he hands Adriel his. "It is time you come with me. For when, I am no longer here, it will be your task to protect and feed the tribe, young one."

Adriel grabs his bow, running his fingers along the wooden limbs. Craved by and made by his Father out of Oak. With the arrows that have arrow heads sharp enough to pierce through even the toughest hide.

Chief Opa and Adriel head out back to the Forest.

Slowly and quietly weaving around the trees. Chief Opa spots a deer 40 yards ahead. Placing his hand on his sons chest for him to stop.

He draws his bow taking a deep breath, aiming for the perfect spot, his arrow piercing cleanly through, the deer drops.

"You got it!" Adriel says as he runs toward the deer. "Now it's my turn."

Chief Opa looks around the Forest, scouting for another deer. He sees a quick shadow against the tree bark. Grabbing Adriel and pointing in the direction. He guides Adriels hands and arms to the perfect composure.

Whispering, "Now take a deep breath and slowly let it out as you let go of the bow string, then the arrow will fly and take its kill."

Adriel breathes in deep, but with the slip of his finger the arrow flies passing the deer, and hits a tree.

With disappointment, Adriel sighs. "How will I ever be a great Chief like you Father, if I can't even kill a deer."

"Paitence, Adriel. The land knows when to give you what you need. In time, you will be the greatest Chief and hunter."

They walk over to the deer, Chief Opa had first sought. Throwing it over his shoulders. "Now, I shall teach you how to turn this gift the land gave us, into food for our people."

Once they are back at the village, Chief Opa grabs his finest and sharpest blade. Teaching Adriel the way to skin the deer and harvest the meat.

"The land works in harmony with us, Adriel. We protect and care for her, as she gives us what we need to live." 

......

Aiyana runs into the hunters hut with a worrisome look on her face, "Opa, there is something coming from the east. It is a terror we have never seen. The animals have fled the Forest."

Grabbing his bow and arrows, he rushes out the hut. The village people are outside of the huts looking to the east with panic. A darkness filled the sky.

"Chief, what is it?"

"I've never seen such a thing. Men grab your bows and arrows. Women and children gather together in your huts.".

The Chief guided his men toward the Forest, looking to the sky the darkness grow darker. There is a huge creaking noise and then a loud bang. The ground shakes.

Trees have fallen at the far end of the Forest. But how? The Chief ponders to himself, these are the tallest, strongest trees of the land.

He runs ahead of his men. He sees the darkness growing bigger, devouring all that it touches. The trees falling, the grass and flowers once bright and vibrant with color are now brown and lifeless.

He yells to his people to run back to the village. To take cover and warn the women of what is to come.

Chief Opa stands still looking forward at the darkness. As it creeps closer and closer to him. The darkness surrounds him, never touching him but slightly hovering above and around him. Only inches away from his skin.

It is quiet. Until he hears a "hoot" off in the distance. While no other animals are seen or heard in that moment. The hoot is followed by a bright shining light flying towards him.
Chief Opa closes his eyes. As he opens them, the darkness is gone. But so is Forest. He sees nothing for miles. Not his village, not the field full of Orange Blossoms.

It is as if he is no where. Yet somewhere.

He looks on the ground. He sees a single Golden Feather. As he picks it up, it is heavy yet light.

He hears a noise behind him. Turning his head he sees an Owl. Bright with Golden Feathers. A face shaped slightly into a heart.

In this moment, he remembers the stories his Father before him, had told him.

That one day a great darkness would come. It would devour the Forest, land and village and all the living creatures among it. That he would have to make a great sacrifice to save his people, and the land.

He hears a voice in the distance. "My Son Opa. I have told you of this darkness and I have sent you a gift. With this, you shall take form of this Owl."

"Father?" Chief Opa looks all around, he hears the voice but there is no one to be seen.

The voice continues "As you give your life for your people, you will continue on spirit and mind, to become one with the Golden Owl. The darkness will fade and you will live on in the Forest for eternity, protecting the people and land."

Opa inhales. He knows this is his path set forth in front of him. He closes his eyes, walking towards the owl with his arms spread open.

The Owl flies toward him, once they reach one another. They become one.

Chief Opa, now the Golden Owl, soars up and over the trees. The darkness is gone. He sees his village still perfectly intact.
The earth regains its color. The Forest fills with the animals that occupy it.

He is content. And he knows his sacrifice was not in vain.

He swooped down, landing on what once was his hut. He sees his eldest son Adriel just outside. Adriel catches sight of him.

"MOTHER! There is a Golden Owl! It came out from the darkness, and the darkness was gone! But where is Father? He wouldn't believe it!"


.......

Many of the tribe people thought the darkness had swallowed Chief Opa. That he had vanished, and it was just a miracle that it did not devour the land before it faded.

But one day, as the once young one Adriel and now Chief, was hunting in the Forest his Father had taught him of, he caught glimpse of the bright Golden Owl once more. He watched as the Owl flew to the tallest Evergreen in the Forest. To the tree where him and his Father would always meet.
In that moment, Adriel knew. He knew of his Father's sacrifice. The stories his Grandfather had told him when he was just a little boy came to mind.

Adriel gasped.

The Golden Owl letting out a "hoot hoot". Then it flew away. Leaving a single Golden Feather at the base of the tree.

Adriel walked toward the tree, leaning down to pick up the Feather. He rushed back to the village to tell his people.
Holding up the Golden Feather as he ran through the village.
All of those in awe, as they could not believe their eyes.

For many many centuries the Golden Owl was never to be seen. Only stories were told, passed on through the generations of the tribe.

Adriel pledged those centuries ago that he would tell his children and theirs. For them to pass on the stories and the single Golden Feather as it was a token of sacrifice that the great Chief Opa had made.

To this day, the village of Abuite has lived in peace. The Forest thriving with animals for hunting. The river never running dry. The darkness never to be seen again.



.........

"The end! .......you ready for bed now?"

"Aw Dad, but I'm not tired. I want to go see the Golden Owl. We can go look for him together."


"Sweetie, we can't. After all it is just a story. But as you are older now I have something for you. It has been passed on from my father's father and so forth. Now it's your turn"

With wide-eyes I jump up. "What is it?!"

"Close your eyes and hold out your hand."

As I close my eyes and hold out my hand, I feel my Father lay something soft into it.

"Okay open them."

I look down at my hand. I'm almost speechless. In my hand lays a single Golden Feather. My jaw drops.

"But..Dad, it's..it's.."

"Yes, my little one." He smirks. Kissing me on my forehead before saying "Goodnight."

He walks out the bedroom, leaving it open just a crack.

I stare back at the Feather. Still amazed and in awe. Could it really be?