

Wildly beating his wings, he swerved, almost crashing into one of his pursuers he lashed out a foot, catching something hard as bone. From the sides of his huge eyes, Gangle could see the running shadows drawing closer, spreading out to either side, hemming him in. Was the Spirit even watching? Did it care anymore? Bravelands had been without a Great Parent for far too long, and its creatures were on their own. With a burst of new and desperate energy, he sprinted farther ahead. What are they? They were relentless, and he was sure he could hear more and more of them, a horde of intent pursuing paws.

His heart stuttered and leaped as he put on a burst of speed. He risked a look back and caught sight of dark, menacing shadows and the glittering orbs of eyes.

Gangle’s breath was rasping now, and his breast felt as if it might burst. Perhaps this would be the night his joke came horribly true. The creatures chasing them were predators, and they had to be led far away from the flock’s shared nest-and the precious eggs that lay inside.ĭust from Flash’s feet stung Gangle’s eyes, and as one of Gangle’s claws caught a rock, he stumbled and almost fell. Gangle wasn’t sure if there were really lions behind them, but he could make out snarls and the thud of clawed paws. But it didn’t seem so funny now, as they raced across the savannah under the unforgiving moon. Gangle had always laughed, because he knew Flash didn’t really mean it.

In other words, they’d catch Gangle first and be satisfied. Gangle remembered his friend’s tiresome, often-repeated joke: I don’t have to run faster than the lions, he’d tell Gangle I just have to run faster than you! Flapping his stubby wings, he ran grimly on.įlash, with his long, muscular legs and his glossy black-and-white feathers, had always been stronger and faster. His splayed talons slammed onto the ground, raising puffs of gray dust as he strove to lengthen his strides, but he was still barely keeping up with Flash. A great white moon hung in a sky scattered with stars it was so bright, it cast a shadow alongside Gangle the ostrich as he thundered across the dry plain.
