Prompt: Write about an animal who goes on a journey.
Continued from part I
...I will make preparations for the trip, Beri rabbit said finally, learn all the things you need in the real world, and hear the stories from those who have gone out. In exactly a months time, I will depart this forest for my great journey....
The adventurous rabbit knew by now that he was not yet suited to deal with the world on his own. He would learn, through the wisdom of others and where the wisdom itself couldn't take him too far, through training. To learn the world you have to learn to learn, and the curious creature was willing to take any lessons from those that had to offer.
His first trip was to the place of Corvina the crow, who was his solder sister's girlfriend. Corvina was the most world-weary creature of the forest for she had flown far and wide, she had seen and interacted with every being there was. The clever bird decorated her house with all the trinkets she had collected from the lands far away, one of which was an amulet that would protect the wearer from any danger or threat. That was now on Beri rabbit's neck, thanks to Corvina's kindness.
When the rabbit reached the clever crow's residence, she was ready for his lesson. Come young ward, she said, you are my student now Beri so I'll talk to you like you are one. Cawm to me. For two hours every day for the next week you will learn the wily ways the people outside this safe bubble of ours will try to threaten you, and attack you. You will learn how to defend against those creatures, and to thrive in the face of danger. Are you ready for your lesson?
Yes oh wise one, said Beri, sitting on a mat cross-legged, and bowed to his teacher.
Here is the first lesson. Never trust any creature unless it had shown you extraordinary reasons to believe in it. For example, if another rabbit comes to you and offers to share its stash of ginger and carrot do not go with it for it is likely trying to rob you or sell you out to a meateater in exchange of something for itself. But, there's always a hierarchy of creatures you need to trust and mistrust, if under some circumstances you have to absolutely make a decision. Never ever ever trust a creature that could swallow you hole, never trust a creature that eats meat. Don't trust an animal that could sell you out to a being that eats meat. So no paling around with foxes or hounds or wolves, unless they have shown extraordinary loyalty and friendship to you. I'm not saying they're all your enemies, just that trusting them should not be the default, rather you should be doing the opposite. Which brings me to my main point, constantly test any new being you encounter for its worth, how kind and loyal it would be to your friendship were you to be under some threat. Some beings can become great friends of yours other situations notwithstanding. I don't want to brag myself but crows and other corvids are generally nice creatures and you see everywhere. Might be a good idea to follow a wise old corvid if there's one around. Which reminds me, I will be passing along the news of your journey to my corvid brethren throughout the lands, so when you're in trouble, one can look out for you or call for help, okay?
Beri was uncertain. While Corvida was great and her advice seemed valuable, it seemed like she wanted to keep him more in the web of support and comfort than his parents did. He told her that.
No silly, she said, I don't want to be on you 24/7. In case you are hurt or seriously in a threat I'll make sure the news of your wellbeing or lack thereof goes around, so you don't have to die hurt in the wild okay.
And that's our first question. Any questions?
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