The Unicorn

As I sit atop a mountain, I look down into valleys and at across snowcapped peaks. I look above and see strange objects hurtling through the skies. Humans have really made a mess of things again. The last times things were this bad, humans went through a rough patch they call the dark ages. I often wonder why they always end up the same way. They start off okay, but then they become cold and uncaring. Everyone is trying to take advantage of everyone else. They create problems that are not necessary. Then try to create things to solve the problems. The world was once a serene place. The air was clear and the water pure, people didn't try to one up each other. Now it is filled with confusion once again and headed to the same inevitable end. Yikes, I almost fell off of this high peak, but then I am so engrossed in my thoughts that I really don't take care of my footing. Who am I kidding, even if I fall it really isn't a problem. Unicorns are very versitale creatures and capable of so much more than prancing around the forest waiting for someone to try to catch them. I have just gotten tired of waiting for things to turn around. Perhaps soon the world will get back to normal?

With nary a thought I simply faded off of the mountain and was back down into a lush green valley filled with delightful wildflowers. You see what I said earlier about us Unicorns, we have all kinds of tricks. We cannot fly, but we can use the magic of our horns to takes us anywhere we like. We can only use it twice a day mind you. I never have understood why that is, but then I am only 500 years old. There are some of my kind that are far older. I have only been observing humans for a short time. My mother is over 1800 human years old. I am her 4th offspring. I was born about the time that humans rediscovered that the earth wasn't flat. Can you imagine, the world flat? I do not suppose that it would matter much, round or flat. I am not really concerned with the shape of the world I live in, only that there are delicious flowers upon which to dine. Most humans really do not have much use for wild things these days. They are too busy going here, or there looking for answers or trying to get over on the next human. For now, I am just going to nibble on a few choice blossoms and contemplate how full I will get.

It has been a few weeks now since I went from the snow-covered peaks of a high mountain to a low valley. I try not to stay in one place too long you see. Despite the fact that I can simply vanish from one place to another, and I can change the color of my coat to blend into the background, it doesn't do to get too close to most humans. Although there a few humans that are an exception. As a matter of fact, I am headed to see one right now. She is a nice young woman who lives in a forest in a place called Canada. I really never got why humans have to name everything, then change the name if it doesn't suit them. Such complex but confusing creatures, I guess they are just impaitent and are never really satisfied unless they are tinkering with things. Anyway, I am on my way to see my friend. She and I bumped into each other when she was just a tiny human. I am not sure how old she was but let me tell you she was a delightful ray of sunshine. We bonded almost immediately. Despite the fact that I had changed my color to blend into the back ground, she saw right through me. I talked with her and she just laughed the most musical laugh. It was like a sweet birdsong. From that day on, we were fast friends. I only get to see her occassionally. As I said, I don't like to stay in one place too long and avoiding being found out is getting more difficult. Humans are putting up things everywhere that record everything. I believe they call them cameras. I really don't see the point, anyway, on to my friend.

It is evening when I get to her home, she has a lovely garden filled exquisite herbs and vegetables. She is in her garden with her offspring. She has reproduced twice so far. One is a pretty little one that is female I think. The other reminds me of a small Gnome I once knew. Anyway, I lightly trott through her garden. Yes that is another specialty of Unicorns, we scarsely leave a mark and are very agile and quick. When last I was on the mountain, I didn't just pop up, I climbed up the peak with little effort. Getting down, I just felt in a bit of a hurry, most likely because of the smell of the flowers in the valley down below. Anyway, back to my friend. She just stood quietly cutting herbs to put in her basket as if I didn't exist. Her children, I think that is what she calls them just played around me as if nothing was amiss. She then giggled and said, I know you are there. I can never tell if she senses me or not? Some very rare souls are just filled with such light that they can hide there true selves only revealing their truest nature to those that truly understand them. That is why a fairy friend of mine says that only certain humans can see us and most of the time it is only children. My friend is a rare jewel indeed. Well anyway back to my visit. She turns around and touches my nose and says it has been a while. I say that I have been here and there chasing snowflakes, swimming in rivers and sunning myself on high mountains. She is always delighted to hear of my adventures . She likes to write them down. I think she is some kind of scribe, but I am not sure why she is keeping a record of what I do. Humans live such short lives compared to other creatures. It is really a pity you know. Her children come to me and I kneel. I do enjoy giving them a ride around her garden. Some people say my friend has vivid imagination. In truth, she just sees the world as it is and doesn't try to make it something it is not. I stay with her several days, then I tell her I must move on. I let her get on my back and I take her for a brief ride across the forest and introduce her to some Pixies. At first they are a bit shy but since the see that a human is on a Unicorns back, they warm up to her rather quickly. They promise to come visit her and tell her some tales. Then I pop back to her garden, say my goodbyes and I am off. I dash out of the forest and head out across fields of grass that strecth as far as the eyes can see. Up into the farthes reaches of the Northern part of the world. I know you are thinking, but that is another special gift of Unicorns, we don't get too hot or too cold. We just stay the same no matter where we are.

I travel for several days, stopping only to look at the Rainbow of lights in the sky and to watch the curious activities of humans. I see them digging into the ice, punching holes in the ground. I am never really sure what they are doing or why. Unlike Dwarves, humans may be simply bored and looking for answers that are right in front of their noses as plain as snow. It really isn't important I guess. Sometimes they get more than they bargain for. One time on the other end of the world, a group of humans were digging into a mountain and woke up a grumpy snow dragon. Let me tell you that she was angry. So furious that she stirred up a snowstorm that lasted 3 weeks. Now that was a tantrum! Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, back up North to the top of the world. I finally made it to my destination. A set of mountains that rise high into the sky. Covered with sheets of thick ice and snow. In between the peaks of the mountains, there are narrow passages. These lead to unexplored and little-known places. I move through one of these by a scent. I can smell the others of my kind. We come in and out of a special place. A place of magic and wonder. Humans cannot see it and even if they wanted to, they cannot come in. Only magical creatures can get past the barriers that have been place since the first stars pierced the darkness of the sky. Besides, if humans found it, they we would just try to rearrange it suit themselves. That would never do! So, into the sanctuary, I think that is what humans would call it. Inside, there is a radiant light coming from the walls of the mountains and rainbows adorn the sky. Above that are clouds that can hide anything. I move in and bump my sister from behind. She turns quickly and crosses horns with me. It is not in anger you see, just a playful way of saying hello. It has been nearly 10 years since I have seen her. She spends more time here that I do, I enjoy stretching my legs a bit, but then she is twice my age, so perhaps she is more settled. Anyway, I am home or at least a semblance of one if there is such a thing for my kind. I have traveled far and wide. I have watched humans in all of their folly. Now I will take a little time to catch up with my family and tell them of what I have seen so they can laugh at the futility of humans and their endless efforts to accomplish not much at all.