The Raven

The raven sat in the tree, still as a rock. He saw everything.

He had watched the moon rise, the sun set and the seasons change, for he was old beyond years.

He was dark as the night and quiet as a shadow, always near but never seen. He was not evil, nor was he good, he just was.

The raven cried out his misery, for he was unhappy as could be. He wished to be loved and rejoiced, but when others heard his cry they became afraid.

They labelled him evil and ominous. Really, he was not. He couldn't help his shadow-like nature, nor his sharp beak and talons. He couldn't make himself change, for he was a raven, not a lark, not a sparrow.

He accepted his labels because he couldn't change them, he was not a danger, but no one cared. They judged him and hated him and scared him away. He was tormented and starred at and made children afraid.

All he wanted was to die. To be laid to rest. To leave behind the hate and judgement. He became sullen and depressed, he hid in his tree, he cawed all night long and became jumpy.

One day a child appeared under his branch. She watched him and watched him until the night dawned. The child came back often and sat under the tree, watching the raven, as calm as could be.

The child showed no hate, no anger, no fear. She watched him with wide eyes and never came near.

The raven was cautious and confused by the child, who did not judge him or care about his size. The raven was easily twice her or more, he was ancient and giant and she wasn't even four.

The child did not run when she heard his harsh cries, but came every day until the moon rise. When she could talk she'd quietly say "Raven, Raven, dark as the night, beautiful raven come down to my side"

He was so surprised by this child, still half of his size, who talked to him daily and listened to his cries.

She was younger than young, but understood more than the wise. She accepted and loved, because she knew nothing else.

The child kept growing as time passed so fast, but a day would not pass without her sitting under his tree.

The raven enjoyed the time with the child, he forgot all the hate and his wanting to die, he found happiness in living and no longer hurt, he cried out his joy so all could hear, this raven was happy and nothing to fear.

He sat on his branch, not willing to move. Not even for the child who begged him to. The sweet child was not daunted, she was bigger and strong. She climbed up the tree and sat close to her friend.

He watched her closely, cocking his head. She reached out her hand, no fear in her eyes. She touched him gently and he was surprised. He cawed at her loudly, but she didn't leave.

For once someone saw him and wasn't afraid.

All the girl wanted was to hold him for once. So he hopped a little closer and when she reached out he let her stroke him and move him about.

She crawled down the tree and told him to come. He hopped on her shoulder and they walked into the sun.

The child was not ordinary, she was special indeed, perhaps sent from the heavens to help those in need?

We may never know why she was so focused on helping, but she brightened an old ravens life and made it worth living. The raven still has the label of evil, but he knows it's untrue and to never believe it.

So be like the raven and don't believe lies, or be like the child and help someone's life.