Little Bennu and the Time

A long, very long time ago, even before the great war of our kingdom happened, it was said that a bird with ocean blue feathers was wandering around our sacred lands. They said that those beautifully blue feathers could grant any desire your heart had, no matter if good or bad. Because of that, the little bird was chased far and wide.

And still, the bird never felt sad nor bad because it was always loved by everyone, no matter how bad or good they were. The bird loved to grant those wishes as they were able to make everyone happy. He felt that that was the right thing to do, he wanted to make them happy, like somebody did for him long time ago.

But alas! His species did not want that. They were jealous of his power and his ocean blue wings. So, they said to him what he was doing was very dangerous, such thing would never be done. He was different, he was powerful, and so they said to the little bird that he was cursed. “That is not a gift! That is a curse!” said one female “Because you are cursed, the unspeakable may occur”.  The blue bird was very scared, he never wanted to make them sad or harm them. They approached to him, trying to take one of his feathers. He tried to fly as far he could but it was in vain.  They had one of his blue feathers in their hands.

“Why you make us to do this?” There was no answer. He did not know how to answer. He was perplexed, he did not want to hear what they wanted to tell him. He wanted to hear that they were happy, that his magical feathers were not a curse, that they were a gift from somebody.

“Because your feathers are so dangerous, we are going to punish you. If you cannot fly for the eternity, then the disgrace shall fall upon us and we never will fly again. Your doom is our salvation. And your salvation is our doom. You shall not be happy. Such power is a condemn. Every one of us should carry the weight of it”. The feather that they were holding disappeared.

And then the blue bird started to fly forever.

A lot of time passed and the little blue bird was not able to remember the meaning of the soil and why he needed to drink water. He forgot the people who were his friends. Even his own image in the water seemed like a stranger to him.

Little by little is getting weaker and weaker, his wings are getting tired. He knows that he must stay flapping his wings but his eyes are closing more and more.  He is losing himself.

“Why are you still flying?” From nowhere, a soft voice is heard. “Is there a reason to still fly? Do you want to see the land? Because you already know the blue sky”

The bird found the one who was making the questions and started to fly in circles around her.

“I would love to see the land, but if do that maybe they will not be able to fly. That is the weight I must carry because of the power that I hold” answered the blue bird.

“I see. Then your blue feathers are the ones that grants wished, I presume. I am so sorry about that, is not your fault to have such kind of power.” The girl took a small breath and told the bird “Can you allow me to grant you something? I want to return you all the wasted time in this unfair sentence. So please, stop flying.”

“But how? Why you want to do that for me?”

“Because you had been so kind and I know what you have been trough. And do not fear, land on my hand and time will not occur. After that, I will make your wish”

The blue bird landed on her hand. And time did not occur around them. But he was too tired to be amazed. He was exhausted, his breathing was fast and his eyes were very heavy. Still, he wanted to know the name of the girl, so he gathered all of his strength just to ask her that.

“Aetas, my sweet bird”. The girl seemed to be surprised by the stubbornness of the bird, yet she answered.

“Thanks”. The little bird breath vanished.

The girl stood there for a moment and then took one of the blue bird feathers. Just as she said, she did the wish of the bird and the feather disappeared. After that, the little bird turned into ashes and flew away with the wind.

“Thanks to you Bennu, for freeing me from this grief. I hope to be able to free you from this new weight, my beloved bird. I shall see you again”…