All the Earth's Children: Tales for the Stormy Times

By Brian S. Parrish

-When Badger discovers a snow-blanketed figure on the side of a mountain, it will take the wily skills of all his animal friends to launch a daring rescue.
-Neighbors by happenstance, Wizard and Raven Woman struggle to survive and rebuild their lives, in the face of encroaching floods.
-While his village suffers through a devastating drought, one young boy will risk everything he knows to seek out the missing storm clouds and save his people.

Together, they will forge a new world of possibility for their friends, loved ones, and welcome strangers just met.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian S. Parrish
• Release date: Dec 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301309818

Brian S. Parrish

Author Brian Parrish is an awed believer in the power of story and a regular patron of the dreaming. However, he's best known as a virtual stunt pilot, human cannonball coach, Indianapolis slot car racer and tender tiger tamer—in a parallel universe, that is, where his Elkhart Blue 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS has been impounded for extraordinary parking fee accumulation. In this one, he scribbles the odd story and subscribes to the International Psychic Cat Network. He lives in the rolling red hills of Virginia with an ambling caravan of family, friends and familiars.

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All the Earth’s Children

Tales for the Stormy Times

Brian S. Parrish

Copyright 2013 by Brian Scott Parrish

All Rights Reserved.

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Table of Contents

Otter & Badger

The Wizard & Raven Woman

The Story of Little Bear

Free Sample Chapter - Talin and the Magic Moon Bean Metal Boy

About the Author

Books by This Author

Otter & Badger

Badger rolled out of bed suddenly to check the window, but the panes were still shut fast, and the shades were still drawn tightly, just as he’d left them. Yet, his nose continued twitching nervously. It had woken him from a deep sleep, and something was most definitely amiss.

He threw the shades aside, prying open the window with formidable claws. There was his answer, waiting for him like a hungry predator. Though, perhaps that was a better description of his empty belly, than the reluctant spring breeze that had so easily invaded his inner sanctum.

Badger yawned, stretched, and removed his striped nightcap where it perched upon his head, trusting it to a convenient hook on the bedpost.

Once he had a cheery little fire going in the woodstove, the pantry was his next stop. Lost inside a thick cloud of flour, Badger quickly prepared a hearty breakfast of griddlecakes with syrup and lots of extra butter, just as he liked them.

Afterwards, Badger left for an early morning hike. As he paused to watch the sun rise over the mountains, something nagged at him out of the corner of his eye.

He squinted his eyes as tight as they could go, hoping for a better view.

Well, he said, to no one in particular, Now isn’t that curious?

Badger could just make out what seemed to be a new rock sitting on the side of the tallest mountain. But since the morning light was still so dim and tinged with red, he couldn’t tell for certain.

Badger felt that something was out of place, but it took him another moment to say just why. He nodded to himself as he finally unraveled the mystery, and chuckled softly.

Mountains don’t move about like that. They’re like me: they hate to be rushed.

And so, walking stick in hand, he set off to investigate.

*

From the moment he cleared the tree line, Badger realized that what he’d seen was no simple rock. He could see that it was actually a figure, wearing a bright red cape, sitting still as a stone.

The cape itself was a whirl of motion, flapping in the stiff mountain breeze. Badger recognized the cape, and felt a pang of worry. He immediately picked up his pace, climbing as quickly as he could.

Badger knew the cape, for it belonged to his dear friend Otter.

And just what is she doing up on the mountain at this hour? he whispered to himself as he climbed.

Badger knew that Otter’s own long house was down by the river, built of long sapling trees which were bent over and covered with mud from its banks. He often went there to visit Otter in the warmer seasons, and the two of them had shared many a pleasant cup of tea over the years.

Badger wondered why Otter, who was always so playful and a streak of non-stop motion, was sitting so still and silent as she was.

Finally, though, Badger came to kneel before his friend.

Otter, he asked softly, Are you feeling alright?

Otter made no reply.

Badger placed his hand gently on his friend’s cheek, but found it cold to the touch. Badger’s heart raced, but he knew this was no time for panic.

What’s happened here, Otter? Badger asked again. Exactly how long have you been on the side of this mountain?

Otter did not reply for a very long time, but Badger could feel the presence of her strong spirit. He sat down heavily in front of her, and willed his friend to speak.

It was so…cold, he heard Otter whisper quietly, and it seemed like her voice came from far away. It was so…dark, and I couldn’t see.

Badger nodded slowly, and waited patiently.

It was so dark…and so cold, Otter repeated, seeming to just remember how to speak. And I was so…hungry.

Otter whispered very quietly at first, and at times her words were hard to understand. But Badger cupped a hand to his ear and did not interrupt.

I was lost in a blizzard, Otter went on, when I was coming down from the mountain. I was so hungry, then, and so tired...but I couldn’t find my way home. Finally, I burrowed down into the snow, and rolled myself into a ball. I hid myself inside my cape…

Otter again paused before continuing. Badger put a hand gently on her shoulder for support.

The storm went on for many days, she continued, and it was always howling in my ears. But finally, I was so exhausted that I slept. Maybe I slept for a long time…

Badger knew the storm of which Otter spoke. But that was days ago, Badger remembered.

Maybe you are still hungry, Badger said quietly, choosing his words carefully, and maybe you are still cold. But you can come home now, to your cozy long house by the river. I fear the river must be missing you, there.

Otter didn’t respond at first, but then her voice came again as if from far away.

Before you came, I was dreaming about how easy it would be, to be made of stone. I wouldn’t have to eat anymore. I wouldn’t have to be cold anymore. And nothing could ever hurt me. I do miss the river, but mostly I’m just very tired. I fear I only want to sleep.

Badger was worried, then. For there is always a danger for those who are lost, for those for are left alone, for those who are left cold and hungry for too long, that the spirit will simply give up and turn to stone.

Badger knew that he would miss his friend terribly, were that to happen.

But that won’t happen today, Badger promised himself. Not if he had anything to say about it.

Well, said Badger, let’s see what we can do if we put our heads together, what do you say? Is there anything you can think of, that might help? Anything at all?

Otter was quiet again for a time. She was quiet for so long, that Badger considered whether he should ask the question again.

But finally, Otter spoke.

If only I had a fire, Otter sighed wistfully, A fire with dancing flames.

"If only I had a fire that could