10 Minute Tales

Jun 29 - Birth of Song

Before there was song, there was silence. The wind did not whistle as it streaked across the skies. The birds would silently go from branch to ground, pecking at some seeds before flying back into the sanctuary of their tree. The world was quiet in its youth.

One day, a pure tone, shrill but pure, echoed its way through the air. Those who heard it stopped and turned to look, fascinated. The perfect sound had come from a being in the distance, a white and yellow creature with a long, curling tail that looped around itself again and again. It called again, a different note this time. The people were enthralled. It stamped its hooves one after the other, pounding a rhythm they couldn't recognise. It was beautiful. Those that were too close to its calling fell to their knees, overwhelmed by the pure joy they heard. The wind took the tune too, singing through the trees and over the fields. The birds took to the air and circled overhead, the joyous sound of this beast's cries inspiring them to mimic and learn. The creature was revered, held in the highest esteem. The creature remained modest, simply calling out melodies to entertain those that came to it. Not all creatures, however, appreciated its soothing tones.

That night, another being arose. Hunched on four clawed legs and snarling quietly, it too called out. The notes it sang, however, brought sorrow and anger. Men wept in fear at the notes this beast sang. Its tail swung high, a smooth curve with a ball at the top. Behind this tail, two crimson orbs glowed an ominous glow; the rest of the beast was coated in dull black scales. It hissed a cruel, red tongue as its weathered eyes stared out for the source of the joyful music. For four days and four nights it scoured the world, following the notes of its prey and singing its own, terrifying chorus. The two sang to the same beat, a slow and pounding rhythm, the pulse of the planet.

When the two met, they warred violently. The beautiful music coming from both clashed horrendously, a terrible cacophony that left men dumbstruck. For four more days the two fought, the tempo of their strikes rising rapidly until there was nothing but a deadly blur between the two. After these four days, one human shouted for them both to stop, which they did. With the human's guidance, the two found harmony, their songs blending harmoniously. All creatures that heard, beasts of the wild and humans of old, were brought to sheer joy, the melody flowing through their bodies, dropping their spirits only to bring them up again in a powerful rise. When the music finally stopped, the notes echoed in their hearts for years. The beasts parted ways, staying to their own keys but leaving the other be. Their balance had been placed, and would not be shaken for many years to come.