89falcon124

==The Falcon==

The cicada climbed for what felt like days. The spiral of the mountain was wide enough that he didn’t feel dizzy, just exhausted from all the walking he had done that night. He finally got to the peak, and he could hear a distinct buzzing coming from a strange building. He approached, and saw a mighty falcon perched on top.

“Hello little one. I thought I might get a visit from you,” the falcon smiled.

“Yes, he-hello! I was told you are very wise, and could help me find my home.” The cicada looked around as he spoke. There were plenty of very large beds lined up. Perhaps there were already many creatures living here.

“Ahh. Well I can tell what you are thinking. But alas, I live alone up here.”

The cicada had noticed there was a lack of greenery on this mountain top, and no water water. In fact, this place was very desolate.

“How do you live up here, with so little to sustain you?,” he asked curiously.

The Falcon stretched out his large wings. “Why, I only sleep here, and spend my days contemplating the wonders of Egypt. To eat and drink, I soar the skies and find what I need. Its a lifestyle not suited for many.”

Though not surprised to hear this, the cicada did feel slightly disappointed. A part of him wanted to feel welcomed home, and the Falcon seemed like a friendly fellow. But he had grown accustomed to the rejection that the creatures of Egypt seemed to offer him.

“The buzz of this mystic building guides my meditations,” the Falcon explained further. He chuckled. “It does sound a bit like your buzzing, in fact”.

“Yes, I noticed that as I approached. I tried to sing with it a little,” he admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“You are longing to fit in, I see.” The falcon’s gaze was piercing, and the cicada shuffled his feet, feeling it.

“Can you help me then? Can you help me find where I belong? My true home?” The cicada looked up, eyes a bit watery, as his hopes ran high and his endurance ran out.

The falcon hesitated a long time before replying. “My little friend, you do not need my help.”

“But I do!” he exclaimed. I’ve tried! I’ve tried everything! I can’t live with the Bullfrog, since he’d eat me. The Fennics are too wild for me, and the Rat...well, he’s a little paranoid. The Gazelle had a lovely home, but didn’t seem to want me there, and its way too populated with people. The Otter...well he’s crazy, and the Ibis have no more room. I’ve looked everywhere!” He slumped over, feeling defeated. “I don’t know where else to look.”

“Well, you certainly have had quite an adventure. But lets see... you would like company, but not friends that eat bugs. You would like food and water and shelter, but you don't wish to have to run from the humans when they hear your lovely chirps. And you wish for company, but friends of a nature more similar to your own.”

The cicada nodded vehemently. “Yes, exactly. Is there no such place in all of Egypt?”

“Of course there is. And you know exactly where. And when you are ready, I shall take you home.”

The cicada stared up at the falcon for what seemed ages, until the truth hit him in the chest like a hammer. When he knew it, he smiled broadly, and stood up, relieved and excited all at once.

“Really? You’ll take me home?”

The Falcon glided down next to him and lowered his head. “Climb aboard. Let’s get you home without delay.” The cicada nestled beneath his stiff feathers and held on tightly as the falcon silently walked off the peak’s edge and glided off into the night.

Head to his next stop to continue his tale...

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Previous Tale parts:

Bullfrog: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/16frog091

Fennecs: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/76fennecs381

Desert Rat: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/937rat626

Gazelle: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/08gazelle80

Otter: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/43otter420

Ibis: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/151ibis46