Old Owl

by jusylee72

A Legend Contest Winner

No one knows when I was created
This wide eyed wonder of the world
But many say it was the first time
A man asked why

Why do we exist?
Who made us?
Why do we suffer?
Who we are?

I sit on a tree branch and listen to the elders of the tribe speak

One Indian likes to tell the tale
Over and over to his grand children

They listen by the fire
as he weaves the tale of Old Owl

The bird who is silent during the day
The bird who questions everything at night
The bird who is both intelligent and evil

I am a quick warrior

Few are faster than me when I seek my nourishment

Few were given the gift of sight in the dark

I can fly over fields in the dead of night
And still see the smallest rodent
Believing he is safe and happy

But I have to eat

So I swoop and extend my claws
And at that moment I have no fear

Or regret

I have to be both beautiful and powerful

I have to protect and feed my young

The story goes that I was once only a small bird
Who no other birds feared
And my children starved in the forest
And my nest was not warm

But the wind of the gods saw my wisdom
And changed me
They gave me huge eyes that could see in the darkness
They gave me claws to pick up my prey
They gave me the strength of ten birds
To carry it away

I killed mercifully
And swiftly
I thanked the earth and the gods for feeding me and my children

The Indian told them of my voice
How I would say “Who”
And question the night

And all the older Indians
Both loved and feared me

I was an omen of death

I was given one sadness

If I was to gain my powers I was no longer allowed to see the sun

My eyes so sensitive at night
Would be blinded by the day

I had to give up the flowers that bloom in sunshine
I couldn’t view the colors of the earth
The sparkles on the lake when the sun dances

The dark holds no colors

The Indian said, “All wise men have to accept what they are given.”

Modern men don’t venture outside
They tuck themselves in their dwellings
They listen to false day on their picture machines

But if they were to walk in the wilderness
On a full moon night
They would hear me calling

asking who they are.

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Writing Prompt
Take any animals real or mythical and turn it into a legend! You can enlarge, give it some special powers, or create a legend based on it! You can do anything you want with your animals, but make it legendary. Try not to use cats, dogs, or goldfish. Try a leopard, panda, or panther instead. You may include a picture. Reserve now. Limited spots open.