all the time. “Because of your differences, you have been given a special honor – the chance to become a spirit guide.”

“A . . . spirit guide?” The brown mouse’s ears pricked up at the words. I knew he was quite knowledgeable about these things. Of course, they are the beings that help guide a creature to their unknown destiny, whether it may be to greatness or something drastic. “Me . . . an actual spirit guide? Oh, to whom?” 

I shook my white-furred head gently. “That is also classified . . . sorry; however, you are merely a candidate for this task. Your strength with the Spirits seems to work in your favor, but first, you must focus on mastering these other talents of yours before the moon turns full twice around. Then we shall see if you qualify to become a full-fledged guide.”

The young mouse asked no other questions, only bowing his head in understanding of my secrecy. “All right, Aniu. I shall work my hardest to please you in this opportunity you have given me.” 

“Good,” I nudged him with my nose, which he hugged with his paws. “Know this: you will soon learn where you truly belong, Muru. This will not be a simple journey, but everything here is here for a purpose, just as you are.”

I smiled as I watched him scamper into his new den and begin to read one of his new books, but as my focus turned to what I had done that entire night, my face lifted towards the snow-white clouds. I leapt upwards, disappearing into the heavens and within moments, a sight of joy and celebration was in front of me. 

There were humans all around the snow-dusted street near me, but of course, none of them – not even the many dogs that barked along with the human cheers – could sense that I was even in their presence. I stood in front of what looked like a hospital in the center of a small Alaskan town, covered with still-falling flurries everywhere, but one familiar sight caught my eyes.

It was a brown-gray canine with scruffy fur, wild and untamed like a wolf’s. His eyes were red and gold, but I knew he was not as wild as his looks would assume – I had been watching him closely for a long time, after all, and you probably remember him well. A little girl with long auburn hair hugged him, telling him something that I could not hear exactly, but their attention turned to the open doorway where a young she-dog stood. She was slender and elegantly poised, neatly sporting a red-orange piece of fabric around her neck, but her presence made the male run towards her with pure joy in his eyes; once together, they seemed to dance around each other with barks and smiles, soon to halt once their noses touched for a quaint kiss. I guess it took them by surprise at first, not realizing that everyone in front of the hospital – including myself – could see their display of affection, but soon the she-husky rubbed her bright red-brown and ivory muzzle against his cheeks and neck. 

The plan is soon to be in motion, I thought as the roar of the crowd grew louder. The young couple stepped forward to accept their praises while I disappeared, returning back to the Spirit Realm. I knew that the life of the one I wanted Muru to guide would be conceived within hours . . . and now, there was no turning back on the destiny that would bring the two of them together.

(Piece III – completed 5/25/08)

To be continued in . . . Piece IV: The Different Child . . .


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