The Dark Fable (Part 1)

There once was a family that lived peacefully in a bountiful wooded valley. The family had known no hardship, being immortal; they had not known death, nor sickness. Being wealthy and intelligent; they had not felt hunger, nor lived without shelter or clothing. They lived a comfortable life, alone in the wilderness.

One day, the Father rose early and left his home to survey the encompassing lands. As he traveled a small path that bordered the forest, he happened upon a group of creatures. Curious, the Father crept closer to gaze upon the strange beasts. The Father studied the creatures at length. Deciding the creatures were no danger, the Father finally called to his family to come out and look at his discovery.

And the family came out and looked.

The Youngest Daughter looked and watched as one creature gave birth. Seeing the pathetic face of the newborn creature, she took pity and desired to take it as a pet.

The Youngest Son looked at the flesh of the newborn and seeing how tender it was, desired to kill and eat the creatures.

The Second Son looked and saw the strength of one of the adult creatures, and desired to capture and tame it, to ease the family work burdens.

The Second Daughter looked and saw the creatures using tools to craft shelters and clothing, and desired to study the creatures further, to learn of their culture.

The Third Daughter looked and watched as one of the creatures grew old and fell dead to the ground before her eyes. Not understanding death, she wished to use The Families Tools of Medicine to heal the creature.

The Third Son–-seeing the death, realizing the terribly short lifespan, and beholding the sorrow of the surviving creatures–desired to kill the remaining creatures, to end their suffering.

The Eldest Son looked and watched as the creatures caught and devoured another, lesser creature, and was afraid.

The Eldest Daughter looked and saw all her brothers and sisters had seen, and said nothing.

The Mother cared nothing for the creatures and only looked on her children with pride.

The Father looked on The Family and, seeing the devision in their regards towards the creatures, sought to maintain peace and harmony with The Family. Thinking it best to separate The Family from the Creatures, The father then forbade The Children to enter the forest.