The Piper

There was, and there was not, a Raven who traveled across many lands, seeking knowledge and wonders beyond the horizon. One afternoon, in a dry and windless place, she found herself standing at the edge of a warm stretch of sand. There, a lone bird danced, its movements a rhythmic and graceful play upon the earth. The Raven watched in fascination as the bird flitted from one step to the next, its wings lightly fluttering and its feet tapping at the ground.

The Raven was used to observing and learning from the world, but this was different. She had never seen a creature so at ease, so immersed in the rhythm of the land. The bird's movements were not erratic or hurried. They were methodical, purposeful, like a dance of careful design. With each step, the earth seemed to respond, shifting and shaking beneath the dancer’s feet.

Curiosity overtook the Raven, and she called out, "Why do you dance so? What moves you to such joy?"

The bird paused, its wings folding delicately. "I am a Piper," it replied, its voice soft but clear. "I dance to call forth the hidden things of the earth. With each tap and turn, I coax the worms and bugs from their hiding places below the surface. It is the rhythm of the land, and through it, I gather my food."

The Raven blinked, taken aback. She had never considered that the earth itself might be coaxed in such a way. "You move with such ease," she said. "Could you teach me? I have traveled far and learned much, but never have I seen such a dance."

The Piper tilted its head, considering the Raven’s request. "You must first connect with the earth, as I have. The dance is not just a series of movements; it is a conversation with the land. It requires patience, attention, and a willingness to listen."

The Raven, eager to learn, stepped onto the sand beside the Piper. Together, they began the dance. The Raven at first felt clumsy, her wings fluttering awkwardly, her feet unsure. But the Piper was patient, guiding her with gentle steps and steady rhythm. The Raven learned to listen, feeling the subtle vibrations of the earth beneath her claws, sensing the tremors that called the worms and bugs from their burrows.

As they danced, the earth responded. The sand shifted, small creatures began to emerge, and the Raven found herself feasting alongside the Piper. For the first time in a long while, she felt a deep, satisfying connection to the earth, a sense of belonging she had never experienced.

As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the sand, the Raven paused and looked at her newfound companion. "This is more fun than using the needle to catch food," she thought to herself. "If only I had known of this trick when forbidden from eating with the squirrels near the tightrope. The dance of the land is more powerful, more freeing than any balance I ever sought."

She smiled, realizing that sometimes the answers to the deepest questions were not in the air, nor in the things she could control, but in the simple, grounding dance of the earth beneath her feet.

© 2025 Sarah Dooley. Story and images by the author. All rights reserved.