The Daily Tot

The Flight Of The Phoenix by Noodly Girl

The bird's wings were like fire. It was ruby red mixed with crimson, rust and amber shining in it's feathers. The scientists had long since captured the unusual specimen. 5 years ago, mythological creatures had reappeared on earth, and no one new why. Scientists were trying to study these extraordinary beasts, some of which like wyverns had already been domesticated. Not this creature of merlot and garnet and blood. This poem of cardinal, amaranth and vermilion. Of rich reds and deep oranges, marigolds and bronze. The Phoenix. But it’s sangria wingtips were stained with obsidian and pewter, blackened by it’s extortion. Countless days it had been reduced to ashes for the humans to study, every night forced to revive itself. They were certainly curious if not cruel. It’s golden talons bore scars from the chains, ugly gashes of the same color as it’s lovely feathers. Now it huddled, miserably upon it’s perch it’s piercing amber eyes dulled by exhaustion. It’s colorful feathers, a dozen different hues of red and orange, were dirty and matted. It was thin, for though they fed it often, begging it to eat, the phoenix only pecked at it’s offerings. Now, a smaller human edged toward it. “Are you sad little red birdie?” The child asked. She was only 3 or 4, but old enough not to mistake him for an oversized cardinal. The phoenix raised it’s head and let out an indignant squawk, preening so that the human would realize how offensive their comment was. How dare they suggest it was simply red. A phoenix is nothing if not vain, and even in its misfortune, it refused to be underestimated. “Pretty birdie wants to fly?” The naive little child crooned. The phoenix let out a wary chirp. Would this little thing save it from those callous humans. Could she truly help? Or would she too follow the footsteps of the scientists, and grow to become a monster. Humans were more deadly than wyvern breath, swift and smart, yet heartless. The phoenix was so engrossed in it’s thoughts that it did not notice the trembling hand of the small child turning a key into the lock until it’s shackles fell. The phoenix turned to the little thing in shock. It’s bonds were broken. It was no longer chained down, it was free. The phoenix spread it’s brilliant wings and soared upward, blazing. It burned through the glass roof of the building. He flew on swiftly, without a glance at his benefactor until he heard the raucous cries of the scientists as they berated the toddler. It flew back over the domed emporium, screeching in victory, mocking the scientists. How angry they would be to lose their precious phoenix, the only one ever to be caught. It vowed, then and there, to never go inside any human dwelling again. Those vile beasts had proved they couldn’t be trusted. Yet it was a simple, brave act of kindness, by such a little thing that saved him. It alighted on the glass dome, looking down at the toddler. Perhaps not all humans were so bad after all…