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Bed-time Best Stories, by Greywolf
Manlius, NY US

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Bed-time Best Stories

A break in the natural order of things.

Breaking the Oath
by Don Ford

"Would you mind not glaring at me?" The two crows stared each other down.

"Yes, it's true. I've been watching and following your activities of late," said True Feather.

"What does that mean, exactly?" Dark Streak's nostrils flared.

"Have you no shame or remorse? As members of the Dark Order, we've all sworn an oath. We never touch another living creature to do it harm. Instead we scavenge around the highway to clean up what is strewn along it by motorists. We have the noble task of cleaning up the roadways, and we are the best at it. If we do our God-appointed jobs, we lack no sustenance."

"Where are you going with this, my fine feathered friend?" Dark Streak would not admit True Feather's words cut deeply.

"Don't patronize me or play coy with me. You know exactly what I am getting at. This is a serious matter, and one I'll shortly bring before the High Council. I'm sure they will love to hear my report."

"Yeah, you got me. Today I had me a live cardinal. So what?"

"And yesterday, what were you eating, and the day before? Answer me that."

"Who made you my keeper?"

"Now that you have begun to eat the young birds of our species, I'm making it my business to keep an eye on you, my sinister friend!"

"Look, I'm not bothering you, so leave me alone."

"Oh, but it bothers me that you would kill those young birds. The parents were all upset and wondering what hawk or other animal took their babies. Aren't you the sly one. And you have broken the oath. In a word - this is treason!"

"I'm going to ask you one time to back off."

"Or what?" You'll kill me?"

"You leave me no choice; you poked your beak where it didn't belong."

A large scuffle took place behind McCrory's barn. Feathers flew; as did blood curdling screeches. Creatures gathered from all over the area. No one had a clue what started this fight, but sensed it was to the death. As the dust settled, there were two piles of feathers with a mangled body inside each. Both were dead. Their tattered remains were buried and a marker put in place.

The animal world would never know what this fight was about. Those two crows had never met before. Dark Streak lived a double life, and had become a predator of young birds. Never before had such a thing occurred and hopefully never again.

A good crow died that day defending the honor of his order . Sadly, True Feather's memory will not live on. No one will ever know the reason for this battle between good and evil.

Author Notes
There are those in society who often break the rules They do it by making up some of their own. Now some birds have done the same and justice must prevail. It is good triumphing over evil, even though the good die too in the process.

It was a false statement in my story to say True Feather's memory would not live on. It will in the minds of my readers. Cheers.

P.S. A friend shared with me that a large crow showed up in their yard, swooped down on a young cardinal, and tore it to shreds. This was penned in memory of that young bird. We have both crows and cardinals in our yard; so far no disagreements.

Description: What do animals think about humans that appear to have dropped into their world?

Photo Posted: Dec 10,2012 Photo Viewed: 427

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Comment Posted By: Greywolf on Dec 10,2012

Life does have its natural order, especially for the animal kingdom.

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