|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:29 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:02 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:11 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He rolled onto his back and waved his paws in the air, and began speaking aloud. "There once was a cub who was very sick. His mother wept and his father paced, but it could not be helped. Every time the cub touched the ground, he cried out in pain. Being carried did not hurt, though, so his parents learned to balance him on their backs, or to nestle him in a sling." He paused and stared up into the brilliant blue, gaze defocused as his mind laid out the details of this particular tale. He was unaware of anyone approaching, lost in his own little world of imagination and invention. "But the older he got, the harder it was to carry him. Soon his parents could no longer carry the cub, and his days were filled with pain. What was to be done? Ah, but all was not lost!" He waved one paw dramatically to emphasize the hope he was about to impart.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:12 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:13 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He had caught sight of a flicker of motion beyond the screen of flowers, but he didn't acknowledge it. He was used to audiences of all kinds, including ones that stayed quietly in the background to listen. He figured if whomever it was wanted him to stop, they'd say something or leave him to his weird ways. But since neither happened, he continued, though he did add some ebellishment now that he knew someone was listening.
"A wizened old hyena suddenly showed up at the den's entrance one wind-torn day," he took up the tale again with relish. "He was a pale grey, with wispy fur that made him look almost see-through. The parents of the cub stared at him in fright at first, even though they were so much bigger than he. They were afraid he was.... A GHOST!" He sat bolt upright, ignoring the sharp twinge his back and hips gave him for the abrupt motion. His eyes pinned the other cub he now saw nearby listening. But his expression, despite his words, was open and friendly, eyes twinkling with welcome and merriness. "Whether he was or not, noone ever found out, but he had brought a gift for the poor, painful cub." His smile invited her to stay and listen, to participate via reaction to his story.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:30 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:31 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
"The cub's parents could only watch in fear as the ghostly hyena limped towards their writhing child," he went on, beaming at his new friend that wanted to hear more. "Frozen in horror they held their breath as he leaned close," Ruko leaned forwards, towards the little female. "A raspy voice emerged from the strange creature.... 'You must take this,' the hyena grated, his voice echoing weirdly. 'Swallow it and the ground will no longer pain you.' With those words, the mysterious hyena hacked, coughed, and spat out a bedraggled feather." Ruko made the appropriate noises, gagging and hacking, though carefully so as not to rock his body too much. He then stared at the ground as if looking with disgust upon the hacked-up feather. He flicked his glance up at his companion in amazement, inviting her to pretend with him that they could both see the repulsive thing.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:35 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:35 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
Ruko grinned at her and then went on with his story. "The parents started to protest, but the cub did not hesitate. He gulped that yucky feather right down without even making a face." He dove his own muzzle towards the ground and snapped his teeth shut and gulped audibly, thankfully not managing to get any dirt or grass in his mouth. "The hyena began to laugh, all high-pitched and creepy," he continued, his voice low and mysterious. "The laugh echoed and echoed, making it sound like a whole pack of hyenas, but meanwhile, something amazing was happening." He leaned closer to the other cub, eyes wide and pupils dialated excitedly. "The cub... began to float." He slowly raised one paw, then the other, rocking slowly back on his hind legs. He tried to hide the tremor of weariness this caused him. He didn't want his sickness to ruin the moment, to ruin the story. Even so, he soon had to let his paws drop back to the ground. "Soon he wasn't touching the ground at all, pain free for the first time!" He gave an excited wiggle of his hindquarters with a huge grin, but immediately sobered, as if something was going to happen soon that wasn't so happy.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:36 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:51 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
"So the cub kept floating upwards," he continued soberly, "unti he bumped into the roof of the den. His parents were too flabbergasted, "he relished the word, "at their floating son to notice that the hyena had disappeared when noone was looking." He cast a sly look left and right, as if perhaps the hyena had snuck away, or that perhaps there was more to his 'disappearing' than just leaving the den. "At first there was much joy at the cub's incredible rescue, but it would not last. Even as a celebration began in the den, the cub began to bump along the roof towards the den's entrance." He turned his eyes upward, nodding his head slowly as if watching the cub as he bounced along the roof. "His mother was the first to realize the danger, and she cried out a warning, but it was too late. He gave a last bounce and was free! Out in the open air, beneath the endless sky, unhurt by the ground beneath him." He gazed upwards mournfully, despite the apparent joy of the words themselves. He paused and gave his companion a long look. "Do you know why his mother didn't want him to do that?" he addressed her for the first time with a question.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:52 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:53 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He nodded in somber agreement. "Yes, she knew if he left the cave, she'd never see him again." He took a deep, sad breath before continuing. "Everyone rushed outside to see their growing boy, dear son, beloved cub floating further and further into the sky. Though they wept and wailed, they could see that his head was turned upwards rather than down, looking into the bright blue sky." He nodded his head a few times, looking upwards, then bowed his head. "His mother knew, though, that her boy would become lonely, bobbing along up there all alone. So she prayed and prayed to the gods of sky and cloud, and begged them to look after her son, and to keep him company on the long lonesome nights." He was definitely wearing out now. His shoulders were sagging, and he was speaking with less animation. It seemed he'd reached the end of his ability, but the tale was not yet finished... almost, but not quite. "The gods of sky and cloud took pity upon the mother and cub, and sent the clouds to keep him company. They grouped together like flocks of birds, chattering to him through the day, and cradled him as he slept through the nights. So when you see a cloud go across the moon, ghostly and looking like it's so very close... wave! The cub might just be close enough to see your friendly face and might take comfort in being remembered." With that, he sank to the ground, exhausted but content. A good story told was like food to him, something he savored, especially with an excellent audience!
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:54 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:01 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He smiled at her, pleased beyond words that she liked his story. "Stories can be fun when I'm by myself, but are always better when I share them," he explained amiably. "My name is Ruko, and I do like to tell stories." He nodded, then paused. "I do mean stories and not lies. Lies are bad things, and my daddy has taught me better than that." He spoke stoutly of his father, determined not to cast a bad light on his amazing parent. "It's awfully nice to meet you, Nayla. You make a fun audience." He grinned again, slightly lopsidedly and with a touch of weariness, but no less enthusiastic for it. "There are lots of my sibs around to play with, if you like," he offered generously, "but right now I'm too tired to play or tell any more stories." He tone was very apologetic, for he truly felt bad that he was going to have made a friend only to abandon her to a nap now. "They make good playmates, though, I promise!"
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|