Dove and Crow

Way back when the earth was still young and life was nonexistent.  Three great spirits saw the forsaken land in deep, deep disgrace. No plants grew in the flat lands, no rivers ran along the ground, no sea vastly covered the world. Dirt, dry and frail, covered the land showing an emptiness to the recently created world.1

“This is no good,” said one spirit, “something must be changed.” He picked up a handful of dirt and watched it slip through his fingers.2

“Yes, something must be done. This world lacks life. But what can we do?” said the second spirit.3

The third and wisest spirit spoke up. “We shall make life and watch it progress and it shall be good.”4

“Agree, I shall make the water on the land flow and then it shall create the sea with its power. Water shall also fall from the sky to replenish the streams when it is thirsty.” Roared the second spirit.5

“Yes and I shall change the land. With mountains rising it shall protect the flat lands from the harsh sea. Islands and new worlds shall rise from the sea creating a place for life to live,” said the first spirit.6

“And then I shall create life on those lands. Grass shall grow on the land and the soil will become fertile. Then the trees shall raise holding food for the life living across land. And from the soil we shall create life as creatures,” as the last one spoke they used the powers to create the water, the land, and the life.7

Now many years later, a grey bird soared over the treetops. He didn’t know his destination nor did he know what to find. Something drove him in this direction.  Something wanted him to fly to this part of the world.8

He had been flying in this direction for months. He flew over mountains, seas, island, and land just on this motive he felt.9

Then he saw a tree. Not just any normal tree but a giant tree. To him it was at least three times taller than the other trees around it. He decided to take a closer look.10

He flew around the tree at least twice before Eagle flew up next to him.11

“Who are you? I haven’t seen anyone like you before,” Eagle spoke.12

The grey bird responded, “I am Crove and I come from a distant land. What is this tree?”13

“It is the Great Spirits’ tree. According to my ancestors, when they first came here, this tree was the only thing here. The Great Spirits granted them the power to protect this tree as it is now my duty. Inside the tree, it is hallow where the Great Spirits give creatures their powers, duties, and enlightenment. But of course, it only opens when it needs to.”14

A sudden gust of wind blew through the branches and almost spoke to Crove. He could barely make out ‘Come inside Crove, come inside’.15

“Did you hear that?” Crove asked Eagle.16

Eagle was clueless. “Hear what?”17

Crove was about to mention the voice in the wind never did. Maybe he imagined it.  He wasn’t sure.18

Eagle flew off as Crove started to fly down and find a spot to land. Then he heard the whispering voice in the wind say the same thing. Then Crove saw at the base of the tree open up into a hole.19

The motive started to kick in again pulling toward the entrance of the tree. The whispering voice kept calling for him until he was inside. Then the bark shifted behind him closing the entrance.20

“Come closer, Crove,” a voice now clear to him called from deeper into the tree. Crove moved forward until he was face to face with a Great Spirit.21

The Great Spirit looked no more than a gaseous entity but he knew it was one of them.22

“Ah Crove, I have finally summoned you.”23

Crove gave him an odd look. “What do you mean?”24

“It’s very simple, really. Things in the world are starting to change and the world needs to change to fit these other changes. It’s a cycle that continues over and over but that’s beside the point of why you’re here.”25

“So why am I here?” Crove asked.26

“You need to change. You are one of the original beings but on this world by me but things need to change. You need to change for a new creature.”27

“Why? Why do I need change for someone else?”28

“Because I need you to help control this new being. Or I should say the two of you.”29

Crove looked around seeing no one else near him. “We?”30

“You’ll see,” the Spirit’s statement was bold and touch the bird with his entity body. Crove was about to speak when he disappeared into the Spirit’s body leaving his feathers behind.31

The Spirit put the grey feathers into two piles and started to enchant each pile. Then backed away as a bird from each pile emerged. The first to rise was a bird with pure white feathers and the second with feathers as black as night. They both looked around clueless of where they were.32

The Great Spirit then spoke to them. “From the feathers of Crove will two birds arrive. One will be called Crow, the bird of darkness. And the other will be Dove, the bird of light. Both will work to help regulate a new creature, Human.”33