Unique Egg

“Unique Egg”

By Carol Ann Keefer

“It’s mine!” Sissy exclaimed

“No., I want it!” Suzie said

The attic was dusty with a thick layer of dirt covering the once well-kept room that their grandmother had always kept neat and tidy. Furniture, scattered about, piles of clothes toss aside as Sissy and her younger sister Suzie opened a cedar chest. Buried in between the blankets and quits was an odd wooded box, holding it up in the dimly lit room. The craftsmanship was exquisite, to the smallest of detail, one could tell simply by looking at this box was worth money.

Suzie excitedly ran off with the box to the nearest window to get a better look at the cravings of magical horses and other creatures that glitter in the sunlight. Amazed how their grandmother kept this wooden box hidden for all these many years, each claiming it as their own, Sissy is the oldest relinquish her initial calm to the wooden box, leaving Suzie to walk away with the prize.

Exploring the attic more closely, tucked away on the far side corner laid an old cardboard box, mingled with old newspapers. Picking it up the box felt empty upon closer examination inside was a decorative egg, about 6 inches in diameter, height, and width, shoving it back in the box Sissy puts it back.  Not wanting her sister to claim another item, Sissy believe that it was best not to mention her discovery.  

Suzie scanned the room one more time before she leaves with the odd wooden box tuck under her arm. Sissy insisted on staying in the attic “just in case” not wanting Suzie to discover the same box that she had found. “Okay,” Suzie said happily, amble down the steps to the second floor, empty except for pieces of furniture throughout the bedrooms.  “Sad,” Sissy remarked when they had first arrived at home, they both were a part of growing up, and now nothing is left but a shell of its former glory.

             Sissy joins Suzie, who is loading up her car with a few odd ends, a quilt, some jewelry along with a picture of their grandparents.  Sissy found it amusing to see her younger sister taking with her things that she had no desire in those things when she was small. Now, full of greed, Suzie believes that it is only fair to get what she can before the auctioneer takes over. However, Sissy is more content with a few keepsakes, the ones that their grandmother had lavishly given them throughout the years. 

             “Bye Sis” Suzie warmly said, getting into her car with a wave good-bye, she drives off into the sunlight leaving no trail to follow. Now, Sissy can get the box and go home to examine the decorate egg closer.

             Two weeks have passed, pushed in the back of her closet, forgotten, laid the box dormant until something started to happen. One morning, a gnawing sound gravitated to Sissy’s ears, a sound that she had never heard before. Perplex, Sissy following the direction of where it was coming from lead her to her closet. Standing by her door, unsure of what creature she would find, a mouse perhaps, gradually, creaking, light poured in and there in the shadows the creature lurks. Fear stuck as this small and yet terrifying thing wobbled towards Sissy. A dragon, a long-forgotten mystical creature was standing there in the middle of her closets’ floor with its’ wings spread wide, making a squawking noise. 

             Never has she seen such a sight before, of course, she read about such creatures, but they aren’t real, right? Crouching down so to get a closer look at this magnificent creature, radiant yellow lizard shape eyes, golden-green scales, razor-sharp claws, however, most of all its wings fluttered as if it wanted to fly but was unable to. Something familiar about this creature, it is as if she had seen it before, but, how could I? The dragon, yes, there was a picture of a dragon hanging up in her grandmother's home, that’s it, the picture she had since countless times growing up. 

             Stories she grew up hearing, believing that they were old wives’ tales of mystical creatures that had once roamed the earth never imaging that those stories were true. Of Fairies, dwarfs, and dragons made scary tales now she is part of one, unknown to her, the life she knew was about to change.  History is about to repeat itself, for the dragon had chosen Sissy since she falls in the bloodline going back before time began.

             Back when Dragons, rule the sky and joined by humans, a time where truth and honor were worn like shields before foes of evil who ended the rule of the dragons. So, they passed on to legends, forgotten tales faded away into memory. Now, once again, a dragon is born, not out of necessity but out of fear. Fear of being forever extinct, nothing more than a distant memory. 

             Sissy retraces her steps as she methodically goes over everything that has happened so far, starting with the question: ‘where did that dragon come from?”  Following her instincts, Sissy goes back to the closet where the dragon has been waiting for her returned.  Couching down on the floor Sissy nervously touches the dragon’s head.  With that one touch, she felt a spark reuniting something deep within her soul. A feeling of wonder, excitement opening a world she had never imagined.   Quickly Sissy nervously pulls back as fear struck her heart that she couldn’t describe.

             Knowing of her fear, the dragon back away and watched to see what Sissy would do, whether to leave or touch its head again. Nervously licking her lips, cautiously touches its’ head this time has come a feeling of peace and not of fear. Going on further, Sissy brings out the box and looks inside for any clues concerning her new pet as it were, there among the broken pieces of the eggshell was a tarnish envelope, sealed with her name neatly printed on the outside. Opening the envelope was a handwritten letter from her grandmother as it reads:

             My dearest child, Maratha,

                            By this time, you have discovered a small mystical creature a dragon. This creature has been watched and cared for by our family for two hundred years. Our family's history stretches back to a time when dragons roamed throughout the land. It is not recorded in any of the known history books, it is told from one generation to the next. Unfortunately, I was unable to teach you our traditions. However, my dear, you are now the sole provider for this dragon.  

             With the responsibility of caring for the creature, you will need to move to our cabin located far in the mountains. You must see to it that no harm will befall on this magnificent creature. Keep it secret and safe. I understand what you are feeling, Sissy, however, trust me when I say that you were born for such a purpose. It is long been said that a dragon is only born where a person with a pure heart touches the egg.

             Enclose you will find a map with directions to our cabin along with a key also, money to sustain your and the dragons care.

                                                                          Love,

                                                                       Your grandmother, Sarah

             Folding up the letter, she goes to the kitchen and calls her sister telling her that she will be going away for a short while and not to worry. When asked for further information, Sissy said that she simply couldn’t explain the reasoning behind her decision. Finishing up some loose ends, she packs her suitcases along with the necessary items needed for her long stay. Glancing over to the dragon she sighs, wondering about where this journey will take her and what discoveries are waiting for her and the dragon. As they venture out under the cover of darkness into worlds unknown, with excitement Sissy embraces the possibilities of what this new life will bring.

The End