little crow

I am the Raven of Darkness. So tiny: I've barely learned to fly, and my wings still feel too heavy for long flights. I lived in the garden of the King of Darkness—a gloomy but beautiful place where the branches of ancient trees intertwined overhead like the vaults of a cathedral, and the air smelled of damp earth and magic. One day, tired from my first tentative flights, I sat down to rest on the castle's carved balcony. The stone was warm from the last rays of sunset, and I relaxed, unaware that my life was about to change. At that moment, the King of Darkness's little daughter stepped out onto the balcony. She was only four years old. Her night-black hair flowed down her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She froze when she saw me, and then, without hesitation, carefully picked me up. According to the garden's rules, this wasn't allowed. The Crows of Darkness had been taught from childhood: getting used to people is dangerous. If you get used to food and water being given to you for free, you'll forget how to get it yourself, forget how to survive in this world. But the little princess knew nothing of the rules. She took me to her chambers and hid me there—for four whole months. During this time, I truly forgot what hardship was. I no longer had to search for food or water—everything was brought to me on time. I almost forgot how to fly: why strain your wings when you're being carried carefully from place to place? But one day, the King of Darkness finally noticed me. He scolded his daughter sternly, then called the trainer—the one responsible for training the ravens. I was returned to the garden. As soon as the trainer left, I tried to take off—and immediately fell awkwardly to the ground. I had completely lost the ability to fly. Then I simply galloped back to the castle—after all, I was used to being carried in arms. They found me again. The trainer sighed heavily and said: “It looks like this raven will have to be taught everything all over again: how to fly and how to get food and water for itself.”