Talons

                                                                            Talons

Deep in the heart of the forest, there lived a boy with talons for fingers. Day by day, it became clearer to him that he could never hope to mend or create with his twisted hands—he could only hurt. Try as he might to be gentle, he could hardly hug his mother for fear of making her bleed.

    Horrified with himself, the boy left home one night and began his journey through the surrounding forest with nothing but a loaf of bread and the clothes on his back. He had heard rumors of a benevolent Fairy King who lived high in the trees and granted wishes to the brave. And so for three days and three nights, he walked alone.

On the fourth day, the boy encountered a blind forest spirit with eyes like clouds.

“Come with me,” the boy said, “I am going to see the Fairy King. He can cure us both.” 

Taking his hand in hers, the spirit cocked her head. His talons dug into the skin of her palm, but still, she smiled.

"Why? We are already perfect.”