The Bird and Its Shadow

One night, I slipped into the granary. Getting inside wasn't all that difficult, I thought at the time. The door was left slightly ajar, but I remained on guard. There is one thing that separates me from the rest of the flock: I believe in my own cunning. A confidence born from how perfectly I memorize the routines, the routes, and the sheer stupidity on the face of the owner. Yes, he is my archenemy, but he also taught me one crucial thing. Stupidity is far more terrifying than death itself, and I harbor a deep, searing hatred for that stupidity.

But a brief scent of rat reached my nose from behind the granary door. The smell seemed to dance and hover right on the border of fresh and damp air. I glanced left, then right. Vigilant. This could easily be a trap. Suddenly, I remembered something and smiled. You think that is all I am capable of? Look at these wings. No matter how clever you are, even in death, you will never taste this kind of freedom. Proudly, I flapped my pitch-black wings. You might chase us away or kill us, but we will celebrate your demise with the greatest dance you have ever seen.

A shadow squeaked behind the door, catching my eye. Instantly, I beat my wings and glided down into the granary. With my tongue hanging out, I descended, sweeping across the floor. Where might you be, you plump little rat? From the corner of my eye, I spotted it—an incredibly fat, delectable rat. It looked exhausted, lugging around several long stalks of rice. Scurrying here and there, completely oblivious to the watcher of the night.

I landed right in front of it, leaning in slightly, puffing out my chest. "O, plump rat," I said softly, making it sound as menacing as possible. "Perhaps it is time you fill the belly of this grand creature."

The rat froze, blinking its tiny, sunflower-seed eyes. Its fur stood on end, its breathing ragged. Amidst the dim moonlight filtering through the gaps of the granary, a shadow formed, seemingly mimicking my every move. The silhouette mirrored me right from behind. Yet, it appeared larger, more grandiose; the flap of its wings looked infinitely more majestic, and its beak seemed far more formidable.

I approached it slowly, wearing a sharp grin, saliva pooling in my mouth. I let out the most commanding caw I could muster. The rat panicked, then fell dead silent. It dropped the rice stalks it had been carrying and lowered itself to the ground. "O, great and mighty creature. Truly, there is no goodness in this humble servant. But please, allow me to offer my praise: that shadow of yours just now... ah, how magnificent it is." It cast a brief glance behind me. "Unlike this body of yours that still must hunt. Perhaps, My Lord, you no longer need to flap your wings—simply let that shadow fly, and the world will fall to its knees."

Absorbing the rat's words, I tried to think. If my shadow is more magnificent than I am, then I am no longer needed in the lexicon of the dark; my time might have already perished within that majestic flap. I felt a pang of envy, and in that moment, I cawed fiercely. "Very well, you may go." I tilted my head upward, holding it higher than the chest that ought to be bowing. "Perhaps that is simply your path, until your body expands to such a degree," I continued with a smile.

And so, the rat backed away slowly. Silent without a word, leaving without a sound. Until it was just the two of us. Slowly, I turned and stared at the shadow. I bowed, then flapped both of my wings. I flew away, but the shadow did not follow.

Perhaps, it was already higher than me.