Sohum's Stories

This story is only part of an upcoming prequel I am making, and therefore it takes place before Moose’s adventure (see: How the Moose got its Dewlap). This means that the stars have not yet filled the sky, and that the Animal Kingdom is still together.

I would suggest you re-read HTMGID, even if you remember it, because I have made some revisions writing- and story-wise.

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time cold tundra now known as Canada, there once was a kingdom where most animals lived in peace. In this frozen expanse, there lived a moose. But you knew that already, didn’t you?

You’ve heard about Moeric, Beavie, Volkar, and Anthel; the competition; the dewlap; the wolves. You know about the moon god, the forest, and the end of the Animal Kingdom. You know the truth behind the eyes of the wolves, the wolf that couldn’t contain his temper, the wolf that ruined the perfect balance that once was.

Maybe you thought that it was a simple children’s story, that it was some silly fable, a one-sided story.

But the truth goes far deeper. The truth has layers. The truth FLOWS.

How exactly did the water deplete from the kingdom, causing that shortage? Where did the stars go after flying out like crimson blood from Moeric’s dewlap? How did humans come to be in control of animals when the latter had time on their side? What happened to Anthel and Volkar, cast out from the kingdom for failing to find water? To Beavie, who’s coffin remained empty on the day of her funeral?

So many questions. Not enough answers.

At least, that’s what you think.

PART ONE – THE DUCK

Once upon a time, in a cold tundra now known as Canada, there once was a kingdom where most animals lived in peace. In this frozen expanse, there lived a duck named Ducky. The duck had fluffy yellow feathers, two bright orange feet and a similarly-colored beak.

Ducky was the youngest of the Duck family; he lived with a large flock of family members: his grandpa, two grandmas, mom, dad, brother (Daniel), sister (Mirella), Uncle Donald, Aunt Duhk, and Uncle Gary. Gary says he is Donald’s cousin, but one can never be too sure, I suppose.

Ducky’s dad and mom both had nice jobs, working at the water supply together. Daniel was 21, aiming to work at a law firm, which is a first for ducks. Mirella was 17, 18 in a month, and had already undergone the Assessment. Ducky was 15.

“Oh Moon,” Ducky prayed one night. “Why am I born like this? Why must I suffer a life so different from everyone else?”

The moon hung high above the tundra, pale and watchful, its light glimmering across frozen rivers and pine-coated hills. She gave no response. Outside the Duck family burrow, wind hissed through the trees like whispered secrets.

Ducky lowered his head. The other ducks his age were already preparing for work assignments. Some practiced swimming through icy currents to join maintaining the water supply. Others studied migration maps or learned fishing techniques from their elders.

But Ducky hated the water. Ducks loved water the way wolves loved hunting or moose loved forests. It was instinct. Nature. Destiny.

Yet whenever Ducky stepped into a lake, panic twisted in his chest. His feathers felt heavy. The cold stabbed through him like claws. Sometimes he imagined something moving beneath the surface, something ancient staring upward with glowing eyes, ready to pounce at him and pull him under.

“You still awake?” came a voice. Ducky turned. His older brother Daniel waddled into the room, carrying a stack of papers tied together with reeds.

“You’re thinking again,” Daniel said.

Ducky frowned. “Is that illegal now?”

“Not yet.” Daniel smirked. “Give the council a few years.”

Ducky laughed weakly. Daniel sat beside him. Unlike most ducks, Daniel wore tiny round glasses balanced on his beak. He spoke carefully, thoughtfully, as though every sentence had already been debated in court.

“You want to know something?” Daniel asked quietly.

“What?”

“When I was little, I used to wonder why the night sky was so empty.”

“Empty?”

“Yeah. Like something was missing.”

Ducky stared at him blankly. “That’s stupid. You’re stupid.”

“Probably.” Daniel shrugged. “But sometimes stupid ideas become important.”

The room fell silent. The wind blew past. Ducky shivered.

Daniel stood up.

“Get some sleep,” he requested. “Tomorrow’s your assessment.”

Ducky groaned. The Assessment.

Every fifteen-year-old animal in the kingdom underwent one. The council examined their talents and assigned their future occupation. Your whole life decided in a single day.

“Maybe they’ll make me a professional sleeper,” Ducky mumbled.

Daniel laughed back as he walked away: “Unlikely.” Soon the night swallowed the hillside outside the burrow.

Ducky slowly closed his eyes and dreamed.

In his dreams, Ducky stood at the edge of a lake. It was a peaceful sunny day. Suddenly, a voice cried out:

“YOU HAVE NO PLACE HERE, LITTLE ONE.”

“W-what?” cried Ducky. “Who are you?”

“I AM THE SUN.”

“The Sun?” Ducky queried. “The Sun’s not alive! Only the moon is-“

“THEY STILL TEACH ONLY OF THE MOON?” The Sun’s face saddened. “Then history has already begun to rot.”

“Well… even if you were alive… why are you here? And what do you mean ‘I have no place here?’”

“LITTLE DUCK… THE ASSESSMENT GROWS NEAR. THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL FORM. THIS IS NOT HOW YOUR STORY WILL END.”

“What do you mean?” Ducky called.

The Sun lowered its voice. “I cannot stay longer, little duck. You must find your purpose by yourself. And for that, I am truly sorry.”

“Sun! Wait!” Ducky cried. “You can’t just leave me like this, sun! You have to explain! I don’t… I don’t understand…”

But the sky had already gone dark.