Terrail Easley

The Fountain of The Land 

It's an unsurprisingly tropical winter's day in the middle of January. The Sun beats relentlessly from above. Not a thunderous cloud in sight. No justifying sign for its sweltering motives. 

Its sole purpose is persisting as the one and only source that keeps the entire planet alive, without question.

Below is a terrestrial region that stretches vastly across the horizon to no foreseeable end. To its inhabitants, its the only place on the planet that exists. Whatever happens there is all that matters. 

A place simply known as The Land. 

The golden grass symbolizes its preciousness. It's humility begs the atmosphere above for at least one merciful drop of rain. Until that gracious shower of relief, the day inevitably spans into another. 

Near Noble Park, a vulture perches itself on top of a decaying carcass. As she lifts and stretches her head up high, a moment of gratitude is given. The circle of life has once again provided her with another meal. 

Off in the distance, a faint sound of a gong could be heard. A familiar sound that signals the end of another long and grueling day for the local tiger cubs at the dojo. 

The vulture's keen eyes habitually scan the horizon. In it's scope, it also captures a glimpse of the emerging cubs. She flutters her wings in admiration before taking flight, a silent gesture of respect for these future warriors. 

The Streak Dojo of Safety is the most prestigious school for young tigers. It's where they train and learn the martial arts necessary to save and protect lives from any and all imminent danger. They also learn the important philosophies involved, all with the strict purpose to one day become leaders of their own families. 

Until then, the restless students burst through the doors like an assembly line of eager little fire ants. Some can't wait to go straight home. 

Some go off to frolic in the wilderness: Rufus, his best friend Jasu, and a few others, Kita and Leo. They go to Noble Park. A place both risky and safe enough for them to hang out.  

Near the park is an enigmatic and ageless body of water called Fountain Lake. Throughout the droughts it miraculously never evaporated towards the heavens. Somehow doing the opposite, it replenishes itself. Its essence is a profound mystery. 

Most importantly, it is known as a historic danger to the tiger community. Old stories passed down from generation to generation warned of the lake's treacherous undertow and unforgiving depths. This rendered tigers defenseless to its nature. Parents from every village exclaim for cubs to stay away.

"The Fountain is never too full and could always use a foolish tiger!"

It was their way of scaring away any urges. To bathe or refill their water supply, tigers go to Siah River. A winding and narrow body of water that streams endlessly across the Earth. This reserve is believed to be a gift from the gods. 

Although forbidden by the tiger community, Fountain Lake was actually a very beautiful, peaceful and inviting place. It was unlike any other place in The Land. 

It provides for the various birds, wildebeest, zebra, fish, vegetation, etc. that live in and around this sanctified ecosystem. It radiates during the day and shimmers like a wavy sheet of amethyst in the night.

Tigers are considered apex warriors with a profound reverence for the good and evil spirit of things. And as stealthy survivors, taught generations of children to always be safe than sorry. 

The Youthful Nature of Tigerdom

Noble Park was surrounded by visible plains that allowed for sufficient safekeeping. They could be vigilant to formulating weather changes. And could spot an incoming cackle of hyenas assembling in the distance. 

It was here where their imaginations roamed freely. They'd transform the park into a scene, becoming the most fierce hunters. Stalking their imaginative prey with expert precision. 

Rufus, the unspoken leader of the pack, would come up with the most challenging scenarios. Keeping himself and everyone else sharp.

During the clamor and laughter, it was the opportune time for the meerkats to close their ears. Dig deeper underground tunnels. Upgrade their burrows. Or perhaps hunt and store their non-imaginative prey of scorpions, lizards and small mammals.

"Yo, Rufus, bet you can't do this?!"

Rufus rolls his eyes knowing exactly what was about to happen. 

Leo always had an irrational need to compete with him about everything. Despite being friends since birth, there was always a thing. Even the smallest thing became a thing. 

And for nothing other than that reason alone...Leo darts off at full speed down the grassy field. His feet barely touches the ground. With a 5 foot leap towards an acacia tree, he jumps onto it and propels himself into a backwards flip. He lands aground looking very perfectly pleased with himself. 

"And what was that for?" Rufus asks, slightly annoyed. 

Leo shrugged. "Just felt like it. It was in me, not on me. Never mind all that though, whatdoyagot?" 

Rufus knew Leo was probably secretly practicing that move waiting for the perfect time to one-up him. Today was the "big day" apparently. Rufus admired the drive and determination from his good friend. Doing his best not to take Leo's things too personally, he learned to embrace it.

“Well played. You probably got me on this one...finally."

Leo pumps his fist in exclamation. "Yep, I thought so too!" 

"I might need some time to figure out the steps. Is that cool?”

"Sure. I didn't need to practice. Take all the time you need though, my good friend."

Seconds later, Rufus suddenly darts off, racing down the grassy field and proceeds to duplicate the same exact sequence. 

However, instead of ending after one backwards flip, he runs back up the acacia tree 2 more times to complete 2 more flips in a row before settling aground.

Kita laughs hysterically. 

Jasu slaps his own face with his own paw. “I don’t know why you even try, Leo.” Lightheartedly embarrassed for Leo.

“Whatever! I dunno what you guys are laughing at. Especially you Ja. You can’t do half of what we just did!”

Leo did have a point. Jasu was probably the most uncoordinated tiger cub at the dojo. 

It didn't stop him from retorting, "So what, its not my job to do what you guys do."

It never made sense to any of the others. Both of his parents were exceptional athletes. Trying to execute some of the most basic moves would cause Jasu to stumble off. 

However, he, like everyone else, belongs to their own tigerdom journey of discovery. Most of his fellow students understood that, but it didn't stop them from teasing him anyway. 

One day out of frustration it caused him to defiantly visit the shorelines of Fountain Lake on his own. As he approached the water, he saw his reflection for the first time. Looking closer, he notices an odd pattern in his tiger stripes. 

A tiger's stripes tell very significant passages in their feline culture. He never noticed this birthmark underneath his chin until that day. He sighed deeply and walked away. This was yet another thing that made him feel different than the others.

"I bet he can’t do that into the Fountain!” Leo asserts.

"Of course, he can!" Jasu campaigns. 

"And he would have already if it wasn't for those stupid age old stories our parents keep telling us about."

"Right, Rufus?!"

Before Rufus could fix his lips to defend his ego, a beam of light descends-coming to his moral rescue. The four stare off into a trance of sorts. 

The sun is starting to go down to share the wealth of the sky with the moon. These "dinner bells" appear to alert them when it's time to go home.

Kita is the first to break the abrupt silence. With her strong and confident voice, she redirects the group. 

"Hey guys, this is something we should talk about, but we need to talk about it another time." 

Everyone's body language concurs. 

Kita gives them each a hug as they disperse. "...See you guys bright and early tomorrow!”

Jasu lives across the courtyard from Rufus, so they usually walk home together. Leo and Kita head off together in the opposite direction.

While they pass the time chasing the iridescent fireflies aimlessly dancing between them, Jasu professes, “Leo is always being Leo, right? You can dive into the Fountain if you really wanted to, right Ruf?”

With a sly hint in his eye, Rufus exhaled and gave him a mute look that pretty much said: "Why would you even ask such a question?"

“Haha, I know, I know you can. I don't even know why I asked...Remember when you caught that baby vulture when it fell from the nest? That was cool. It literally hatched in your hands! Rufus the midwife tiger! Hahaha!” 

Such events made it hard for Rufus to be a disappointment to his friends, especially Jasu, who looked up to and relied on him the most. Whatever provided a sense of hope for the community.

The thought of conquering the Fountain also made him feel strong like his father, a hero he truly never got to meet. Left only with fascinating stories. Similar to the ones told about the Fountain itself.

"Yes, I remember, thanks, Jasu. Haha"

"...We just can't tell our parents anything about this Fountain Lake business, okay? They'd freak the heck out and our Noble Park days would be over."

"Of course not! Why would I do something like that?!"

After reaching the courtyard that separates the village quarters, they part ways.

"Alright, good night, Ja!" See you here in the courtyard in the morning, right?"

"Nope, I have early basic reinforcement training to work on my leaping form and cover distance."

"Oh okay, good luck. Keep working at it. It's not as hard as it seems. And I'm always here to help."

"Thanks, Rufus, but I don't need your help. If I'm going to be anything, I gotta do it on my own."

Rufus smirks, "Well, pardon me, Bossman. Tiger King of The Land!" 

They both erupt in laughter.