The setting Sun coloured the clouds in a shade of red over Tallinn Bay. The seagulls took a final flight towards the shore in search for food. As it descended, one of them noticed a few crumbs of bread lying on a medium sized rock. Little did it know that it was a trap. The bird landed on the rock and started to try and fit all the breadcrumbs in its beak. Then suddenly, it saw a nearby bush shudder and as instinct dictates, the seagull was already airborne by the time a little girl jumped out of the bush.
- Come back! – She shouted in frustration.
The bird turned back its head to show its beak filled with bread, as if it was trying to say that it got what it came for. The girl looked at the sky and nodded, in agreement with the cricket next to her feet crawling back into its burrow to call it a night. If it were up to her, Aurora would sit on the seashore all day and watch the animals, but now it was time to head home. She turned around, still disappointed because of the failure of yet another attempt to pet a seagull and started her walk home.
- Mommy said that sometimes, all I have to do is ask nicely. – She said to herself. – But I already tried that a week ago, and they said no. Maybe they just don’t like me. – She crossed her arms. – But then I don’t like them either.
She stopped and looked around.
- I don’t remember this part of the town. – She noted with a bit of distress in her voice.
The rain started pouring down from the thick black clouds, accompanied by a few distant thunderclaps. Aurora ran for cover from the rain and sat down as soon as she reached it. She had no idea where she was and how she would manage to get home.
Out of the blue (or black, in this case), the rainwater on the street reflected a blinding light and Aurora heard a bang. The sound of thunder and rain died down, and the girl turned her head in the direction of the bang. She saw a giant bird descend from the skies, illuminating the entire street in brilliant red and gold. The bird got smaller as it descended further down towards Aurora, who could not move out of awe. The bird – now pigeon-sized – landed gently on her shoulder. Aurora reached into her picket and offered the bird a crumb of bread, who happily accepted it.
- Can you… stay with me? – She asked the bird, who nodded in response.
- I’m going to call you… - Aurora looked around, trying to make out the letters on the window of a boutique - …Asia.
The bird happily squawked, satisfied with its name. Asia glowed brighter and brighter, so Aurora had to close her eyes. Then the glowing suddenly stopped.
Aurora found herself lying in her bed at home. She let out a sigh of relief and turned around. To her surprise, she saw her new friend, Asia resting on her pillow.
