I Wish...

12

I thought jumping would work to get me to the top, but nope. No matter how high I jumped, I was ultimately too small. I stomped my tiny foot in frustration, but that didn't help since it made me fall over. I glared at my dresser.

What if I tried to fly? I grinned internally. Flying would be pretty cool, but what if I fell? What if I broke something? A knock sounded at my window. Wait... I'm on the second story, so... how...? I hopped over. It was a crow. "Can ye let meh in, pipsqueak?"

"Pip- Who are you?" I questioned. "Jus' yer frenly neighborhood crow. Now, can ye let me in?" He cawed. "No. You're a complete stranger to me and I can't escape a bird who actually knows how to fly," I responded. He did some sort of laugh then replied, "If ye don' kno' how t' fly, y'ain't makin' use of 'em wings. I'll teach ya if ye open t' window." "But I don't even know your name or if you'd want anything in return," I said. " 'Name's Turot, an' I want yer necklace o'er der," he answered. "Aha! Crows are always after shiny things. You thief," I accused. "S'not my fault I'm a crow!"

Finally, I gave in. I wanted to know how to fly since I might be stuck as a bird for... who knows how long. I fumbled with the latch on the window, but, eventually, it opened. The crow awkwardly walked in, his toes gripping at the nonexistent branch. "I'll show you how to fly, little red," he murmured as he flapped his way to the dresser.

    "Let's see, how did momma do it again?" Turot perched on my dresser in thought. "Oh! That's how momma taught us...," he looked at me with a glint in his eyes. "If you wanna fly, you have to fall." I stared at him. Fall? Like from a really high place? He stared right back, seemingly amused by my nervousness. I gathered up my courage, "From where will I be falling?" He looked surprised, "Didn't think that far. I dunno maybe this wooden block?"

The dresser wasn't THAT high, so I guess it would be ok... I nodded my agreement to Turot. "I'm gonna have to carry you, little red," he said as he glided down and snatched me up. I chirped my protest, until I felt the ground beneath me again. I was on the dresser now. I sighed. Suddenly, the floor was gone again and I felt the familiar butterflies in my stomach. I failed my wings and legs and twisted my body. Then, I hit the floor. Hard.

There was no time to protest, I was on the dresser and pushed off again. Time and time again, I'd fall, get put on the dresser, then fall again. Soon, Turot looked pretty tired. "Yer form's all wrong. Yer trying to use yer legs and yer not flappin' yer wings enough," he puffed. "What am I supposed to do?!" I yelled. "Fly, ye feather brained idiot!" he retorted, as he strut along the dresser. Then, he headed towards me.

He pushed me, and I fell. Down again... ugh. I spread my wings out and flapped once. Nothing. Twice in a row. Nothing. Frustrated, I beat my wings angrily. The floor stops coming at me. "Yes! Yes! Finally! Now, lean to the left," Turot instructed. I obeyed. I turned around facing him. "Lean forward slightly, and ye'll go forward. Lean too far, and ye'll either flip or fall. Same thin' with ev'ry other direction, " he cawed.

  "Uh, how do I land, Turot?" I asked. He flew off the dresser. "Like this, pipsqueak, " he demonstrated. "Slowly extend yer legs when yer close to the ground. " He landed softly then glanced up at me. "Might be harder with those leg all messed up like that. "

It was. It really was. I rolled on the floor one too many times. But, eventually, like flying, I got it. Turot left with the shiny necklace and I flew onto my bed. To tired to do anything else. Dawn was about to break.

~•◇•~

"Rubicea? Rubi? Honey, where are you?" The door creaked open. "Rubi? Are you still asleep?"

My eyes searched the room. A heap of clothes on the floor and the bed had been disturbed. Rubi usually never woke up late, always up early. I walked in further. I called, "Rubi? Breakfast is almost ready." The room seemed empty, maybe she was in bed?

As I walked over I heard a chirp, then two. A bird? Why was there a bird? I pulled the blanket gently away. There sat a little red bird the size of a sparrow.